User Researcher

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher

Company: LiveScore Group

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Operations / User Experience Research

Date Posted: 2026-09-25

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years implied)

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office)

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive product development by leading user-centric research initiatives and translating complex user needs into actionable product strategies.

• Partner closely with Product, Design, and cross-functional stakeholders to identify critical research questions and integrate user insights into the product roadmap.

• Independently manage the entire research lifecycle, from problem definition and methodology selection to data synthesis and persuasive communication of findings.

• Champion the voice of the customer by advocating for user needs and confidently challenging assumptions with data-driven evidence.

• Innovate and evolve research practices by exploring new methodologies, tools, and leveraging AI to enhance research quality, efficiency, and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The title "User Researcher" and the description's emphasis on informing product development through user insights, identifying research needs, and conducting studies across the product lifecycle strongly indicate a role focused on Product Operations and User Experience Research. The mention of supporting product teams, influencing design and strategy, and working closely with Product and Design further solidifies this categorization. The "5-10 years" experience level is inferred from the expectation of independent management of research, autonomy, and shaping research direction.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead exploratory and generative research to uncover deep user needs, behaviours, pain points, and unmet opportunities within the sports media and betting landscape.

• Collaborate with Product Managers and Designers to strategically define research questions, prioritize areas for investigation, and determine where user research can provide the most significant value.

• Synthesize qualitative, quantitative, and behavioural data from diverse sources to generate clear, meaningful, and actionable insights that directly inform product strategy and roadmap prioritization.

• Design, plan, and execute end-to-end research studies, selecting appropriate methodologies (e.g., interviews, usability testing, diary studies, surveys, A/B testing) to address specific product and business objectives.

• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with product, design, marketing, and engineering teams, ensuring research findings are understood, integrated, and acted upon throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Advocate for the user by presenting compelling research findings that challenge existing assumptions and guide data-informed decision-making, ensuring business objectives align with user needs.

• Proactively identify opportunities to improve and innovate research practices, introducing new tools, techniques, and leveraging AI to enhance the efficiency, quality, and impact of research outcomes.

• Effectively communicate research insights and recommendations through clear, persuasive presentations and reports tailored to various stakeholder groups, ensuring comprehension and driving adoption.

• Conduct evaluative research, including usability testing and A/B testing analysis, to validate product designs and iterate on user experiences based on observed user behaviour.

• Contribute to the development of user personas, journey maps, and other user-centric artifacts that encapsulate research findings and guide product strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The detailed responsibilities provided in the job description align perfectly with a mid-to-senior level User Researcher role. The emphasis on leading research, independently planning studies, synthesizing data, and influencing strategy suggests a level of experience beyond entry-level. The mention of "shaping research direction" and "experimenting with new approaches" further supports the inference of a more experienced candidate.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, or a related field. A Master's degree or PhD in a relevant discipline is advantageous.

Experience: A minimum of 5-10 years of hands-on experience in user research, product research, or UX research roles, with a proven track record of delivering impactful insights that have influenced product strategy and design.

Required Skills:

• Proficient in a wide array of qualitative and quantitative user research methodologies, including in-depth interviews, contextual inquiries, usability testing (moderated and unmoderated), diary studies, card sorting, tree testing, and surveys.

• Demonstrated ability to independently design, conduct, and analyze research studies, with a strong understanding of research design principles and methodological rigor.

• Expertise in translating ambiguous product or business challenges into well-defined research questions and robust, actionable research plans.

• Proven ability to synthesize findings from multiple research methods and data sources, translating complex evidence into clear, compelling insights and strategic recommendations.

• Solid understanding of how user research informs product decisions, identifies market opportunities, and shapes product roadmaps.

• Excellent stakeholder management, cross-functional collaboration, and communication skills, with the ability to present findings persuasively to diverse audiences.

• Competency with common research tools such as UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Google Analytics, or similar platforms for data collection and analysis.

• Demonstrated curiosity and confidence in exploring and applying AI tools and techniques to enhance research processes and outcomes.

• Proactive, self-motivated, and comfortable working with a high degree of autonomy and navigating ambiguity in a fast-paced environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience conducting research within the sports media, gaming, or online betting industries.

• Familiarity with product analytics tools (e.g., Amplitude, Mixpanel) for quantitative data analysis and triangulation with qualitative findings.

• Experience with experimental design and A/B testing analysis to validate product hypotheses.

• Knowledge of user-centered design principles and agile development methodologies.

• Experience in building and maintaining a research repository or knowledge base.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Skills, Knowledge and Experience" section directly outlines the required skills. The preferred skills are inferred from the industry context (sports/betting) and the general best practices in user research, such as product analytics and A/B testing, which are highly relevant for a data-driven company like LiveScore Group. The education requirement is a standard for this role, and the experience level is inferred from the responsibilities and expected autonomy.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 3-5 distinct research projects that demonstrate end-to-end ownership from problem definition to actionable insights and impact.

• Include examples of research plans, methodologies employed, key findings, and the resulting product or design changes, clearly articulating the impact on user experience or business metrics.

• Highlight your ability to translate ambiguous problems into clear research objectives and well-defined research designs.

• Demonstrate proficiency in synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data, presenting complex findings in an easily digestible format for various stakeholders.

• Feature projects where you have effectively collaborated with product, design, and engineering teams to drive product decisions. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of research process documentation, such as research plans, discussion guides, survey questionnaires, and analysis reports.

• Illustrate your approach to documenting research findings, ensuring they are accessible, actionable, and contribute to a shared understanding of user needs across the organization.

• Showcase how you have iterated on or improved research processes based on learnings or feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't explicitly mention a portfolio, it's a standard requirement for user research roles to demonstrate practical experience and impact. The "Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements" section is crafted based on industry best practices for user researchers, emphasizing the need to showcase end-to-end project ownership, methodological diversity, data synthesis capabilities, and demonstrable impact on product development.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £55,000 - £75,000 per annum.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on industry benchmarks for a User Researcher with 5-10 years of experience in London, UK, a salary range of £55,000 to £75,000 is estimated. This range accounts for the hybrid work model, the significant autonomy and impact of the role, and the company's industry. Research sources include Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry-specific salary surveys for UX/Product Research roles in London.

Benefits:

• Performance Bonus: Opportunity to receive a company performance-based bonus, rewarding collective success.

• Flexible Working: Flexible working agreements are available, providing adaptability to personal needs.

• Private Healthcare: Comprehensive private healthcare scheme including an Employee Assistance Programme for well-being support.

• Enhanced Family Leave: Generous maternity, shared parental, and adoption leave policies (e.g., up to 6 months full pay, 6 months half pay) and dedicated paternity leave (up to 4 weeks full pay).

• Gym Membership: Subsidised gym membership to support employee health and fitness.

• Commuting Support: Annual travel card loan and a Ride to Work scheme to assist with commuting costs and promote cycling.

• Life Assurance: Life assurance cover equivalent to three times your annual salary for peace of mind.

• Pension Plan: Contributory pension plan to support long-term financial planning.

• Virgin Family Perks: Access to exclusive offers and experiences through the Virgin network.

• Social Events: Regular social events, including Thursday drinks in the office, fostering team camaraderie.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours (approximately 40 hours per week), with flexibility offered where applicable, supporting a healthy work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Sports Media & Sports Betting. LiveScore Group operates at the intersection of sports media and online betting, creating a unique ecosystem that converges these two dynamic sectors. This context means a focus on real-time data, fan engagement, and a fast-paced, competitive market.

Company Size: Mid-sized to Large Enterprise. The description implies a significant operation with multiple brands (LiveScore, LiveScore Bet, Virgin Bet) and a structured approach to product development and research, suggesting a company with hundreds or potentially thousands of employees.

Founded: The company's founding history isn't detailed, but its current structure with established brands indicates a mature organization with a history of innovation and growth within the digital sports and gaming space.

Team Structure:

• Research Function: The User Researcher is the sole dedicated researcher, implying a high degree of autonomy and direct collaboration with key decision-makers.

• Reporting: Likely reports into a Head of Product, Head of Design, or a senior Product Operations leader, given the role's focus on informing product strategy.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Works intimately with Product Managers, UX/UI Designers, Data Analysts, and potentially Marketing and Engineering teams. This collaborative structure is essential for embedding user insights into the product lifecycle.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decisions: The company emphasizes aligning business decisions with real user needs and behaviours, suggesting a strong reliance on data and insights for strategic planning.

• User-Centred Approach: A core value is a "fan-driven approach," indicating that understanding and catering to user needs is paramount.

• Agile & Iterative: The context of product development in sports media and betting implies an agile and iterative approach, where research findings are used to continuously improve products.

• Innovation: The company prides itself on innovation and setting standards, encouraging experimentation with new approaches, including AI.

Company Website: https://www.livescoregroup.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights a unique blend of sports media and betting, which is critical context for a User Researcher. Understanding the user needs in these domains (e.g., real-time information, betting engagement, fan passion) is key. The "sole User Researcher" aspect implies a need for strong self-management and stakeholder influence skills.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Mid-to-Senior level User Researcher. It requires independent leadership of research initiatives, strategic input, and the ability to shape research practices. It's not an entry-level or junior position, nor is it a management role overseeing a team of researchers. The candidate is expected to be a subject matter expert in user research.

Reporting Structure: The User Researcher likely reports into a senior leader within the Product or Design function (e.g., Head of Product, Director of UX, Head of Product Operations). This structure provides visibility to product strategy and roadmap discussions.

Operations Impact: The User Researcher's impact is directly tied to the success of LiveScore Group's product portfolio. By ensuring products are user-centric, intuitive, and meet genuine user needs, the researcher contributes significantly to user acquisition, retention, engagement, and ultimately, revenue growth for brands like LiveScore, LiveScore Bet, and Virgin Bet. The role influences product strategy, design decisions, and the overall user experience, which are critical drivers of business performance in the competitive sports and betting market.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies or user segments within the sports/betting domain.

• Methodology Innovation: Lead the adoption and implementation of new research techniques, including advanced AI applications, to enhance the research function.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop stronger strategic partnerships and influence across Product, Design, Marketing, and Data teams, potentially moving into a lead UX researcher or Senior Product Operations role.

• Broader Exposure: Gain significant exposure to business strategy and decision-making due to the autonomous nature of the role and direct stakeholder interaction.

• Potential Team Growth: As the research function matures, there may be opportunities to build and mentor a team of researchers in the future.

📝 Enhancement Note: The analysis focuses on how a User Researcher role fits within an "operations" framework, emphasizing its impact on product operations, data-driven decision-making, and overall business performance. The growth opportunities are tailored to a researcher's career path, focusing on skill development and increased influence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Model. The role requires 3 days per week in the London office (Tuesdays-Thursdays), with the remaining days offering flexibility. This suggests a modern office environment designed for collaboration and focused work.

Office Location(s): Soho, London, England. This central London location is a vibrant hub, offering excellent accessibility via public transport and proximity to amenities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office days are designated for in-person collaboration, team meetings, workshops, and building relationships with colleagues in Product, Design, and other departments.

• Tool Access: Employees will have access to the necessary technology, software, and research tools to perform their duties effectively, both in the office and remotely.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model allows for consistent team interaction, fostering a sense of community and facilitating spontaneous discussions and knowledge sharing crucial for research insights.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, likely adhering to standard business hours, but with an emphasis on flexibility where applicable, aligning with the company's value of adaptability. This allows for focused research time, data analysis, and meeting participation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work arrangement is a key detail. The description of the office location and the implications for collaboration are tailored to a professional in this type of role, emphasizing both focused work and team synergy.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion with the hiring manager (likely Head of Product or Design) focusing on your experience, approach to user research, and understanding of the role's responsibilities. Be prepared to discuss specific research projects.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present 1-2 key research projects from your portfolio. Focus on the problem, your approach, the insights, and the impact. Be ready to answer detailed questions about your methodology and decision-making.

• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders (e.g., Product Managers, Senior Designers) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and ability to integrate research into product workflows.

• Case Study/Exercise (Potential): You might be asked to complete a small research-related exercise or case study, either as a take-home assignment or during an interview, to evaluate your problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Final Interview/Offer: A final discussion, potentially with a senior leader, to confirm fit and extend an offer.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure is Key: Organize your portfolio clearly, with each project detailing the context, your role, the research questions, methodology, key findings, recommendations, and tangible impact.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals, anonymized data examples, and concise narratives to illustrate your process and insights. Quantify impact whenever possible (e.g., "led to a 15% increase in task completion rate").

• Focus on Impact: Emphasize how your research directly influenced product decisions, improved user experience, or contributed to business goals.

• Tailor to LiveScore: If possible, subtly tailor your presentation to highlight research relevant to sports, media, or gaming, or demonstrate how you'd approach research in such a domain.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Expect detailed questions about your methodology choices, how you handled challenges, and how you communicated findings.

Challenge Preparation:

• Methodology Justification: Be ready to explain why you chose specific research methods for particular problems.

• Problem Framing: Practice how you would frame a research problem given a vague product goal.

• Insight Generation: Demonstrate your ability to move beyond raw data to actionable insights.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare examples of how you've managed stakeholder expectations or navigated difficult feedback on your research.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, outlining a typical interview process for a user research role and specific tips for portfolio presentation and challenge preparation, aligned with the company's focus on impact and data-driven insights.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UserTesting.com (or similar): For conducting moderated and unmoderated usability testing and gathering feedback on prototypes or live products.

• Survey Platforms: Tools like Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Typeform, or Google Forms for designing and distributing surveys to gather quantitative and qualitative data.

• Product Analytics Tools: Familiarity with platforms such as Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics is beneficial for understanding user behaviour quantitatively and triangulating with qualitative findings.

• Collaboration & Documentation: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Miro, or Figma for project management, documenting research findings, creating user flows, and collaborating with design and product teams.

• AI Tools: Curiosity and competency in using AI tools to enhance research efficiency, such as AI-powered transcription services, sentiment analysis tools, or AI assistants for data synthesis and report generation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Proficiency in interpreting data from product analytics platforms to identify user behaviour patterns and opportunities for research.

• Ability to create clear and compelling reports and dashboards summarizing research findings for various stakeholders. CRM & Automation:

• While not directly CRM-focused, understanding how user research insights can feed into CRM strategies for personalization and customer segmentation would be valuable.

• Experience with automation tools for survey distribution or data collection processes can enhance efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Skills, Knowledge and Experience" section explicitly mentions UserTesting, survey platforms, and product analytics tools. This section expands on these by including related tools and technologies commonly used by User Researchers in a tech-driven company, emphasizing the integration of qualitative and quantitative data.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Fan-Driven Approach: A core value that translates into deeply understanding and prioritizing the needs and passions of sports fans and bettors. This means research should always focus on delivering value to the end-user.

• Adaptability: The dynamic nature of the sports and betting industry requires flexibility and the ability to pivot research approaches and strategies quickly. Be prepared for evolving priorities and market shifts.

• Teamwork: While the researcher is autonomous, strong collaboration with Product, Design, and other teams is crucial. The ability to work effectively across functions is highly valued.

• Curiosity: An "ever-curious mindset" is encouraged, driving a proactive approach to exploring user behaviours, uncovering new insights, and experimenting with innovative research methods.

• Customer Advocacy: The role requires acting as a strong advocate for the customer, ensuring their voice is heard and considered in all product decisions.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: The role thrives on building strong, collaborative partnerships with Product Managers and Designers, acting as a research partner rather than just a service provider.

• Insight-Led: Discussions and decisions should be driven by data and user insights, fostering a culture where research findings are respected and acted upon.

• Transparent Communication: Open and clear communication of research plans, findings, and limitations is essential for building trust and ensuring alignment across teams.

• Proactive Engagement: Actively seeking opportunities to embed research into the product development process, rather than waiting to be assigned tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company explicitly lists its values (adaptability, teamwork, fan-driven approach, curiosity). This section translates those values into how they would manifest in the day-to-day work of a User Researcher and their interactions within the company's operational context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Sole Researcher Autonomy: As the only User Researcher, you will have significant autonomy but also the responsibility to define your own priorities, manage your workload effectively, and ensure research coverage across multiple product areas.

• Balancing Generative vs. Evaluative Research: Effectively allocating time and resources between foundational, exploratory research (generative) and product validation (evaluative) to meet diverse product needs.

• Integrating Insights: Ensuring that research findings are consistently integrated into product decisions and that teams act on them, overcoming potential resistance or competing priorities.

• Rapid Market Evolution: The fast-paced sports media and betting industry requires staying abreast of user trends, competitor activities, and technological advancements (like AI) to keep research relevant.

• Data Synthesis Complexity: Synthesizing diverse data streams (qualitative research, quantitative analytics, market data) into cohesive and actionable insights can be complex.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Methodology Expansion: Opportunity to experiment with and master new research techniques, including advanced AI applications for research.

• Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of user behaviour and market dynamics within the sports media and betting sector.

• Strategic Influence: Develop stronger strategic thinking and influencing skills by working closely with senior product leaders and contributing directly to product strategy.

• Autonomy & Ownership: Hone skills in self-management, prioritization, and driving research initiatives independently.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Gain a comprehensive understanding of product development, design, and business operations within a rapidly growing tech company.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section addresses potential challenges inherent in a sole researcher role and within the specified industry, offering proactive advice and framing them as opportunities for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to identify a critical research need with limited information. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses proactive research identification and problem-solving).

• "How would you approach researching user needs for a new feature aimed at increasing engagement on our LiveScore Bet platform?" (Tests application of generative research methods in the company's context).

• "Walk me through a research project where your insights directly led to a significant change in product strategy or design. What was the impact?" (Evaluates ability to drive impact and articulate ROI). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about the sports media and betting industry, and how do you see user research contributing to success in this space?" (Gauges industry interest and strategic understanding).

• "How do you balance the needs of different stakeholders when they have conflicting priorities or interpretations of user data?" (Assesses stakeholder management and communication skills).

• "Describe your experience using AI tools to enhance your research process. What are your thoughts on the future of AI in user research?" (Probes openness to innovation and AI adoption). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Choose High-Impact Projects: Select 2-3 projects that showcase your end-to-end capabilities, methodological breadth, and demonstrable impact on product outcomes.

• Narrative Arc: Structure each project presentation with a clear narrative: the problem/opportunity, your approach, the key insights, the recommendations, and the ultimate impact (quantified if possible).

• Methodology Justification: Be ready to defend your methodological choices and discuss any trade-offs you made.

• Visual Aids: Use clear, concise slides with visuals (e.g., anonymized quotes, journey maps, key data points) to support your presentation. Avoid text-heavy slides.

• Engagement: Be prepared for Q&A throughout or at the end. Encourage interaction and be ready to discuss your thought process and decision-making in detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions are crafted to probe the core competencies of a User Researcher, specifically tailored to the responsibilities and context of LiveScore Group, focusing on autonomy, impact, and industry relevance.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the LiveScore Group careers portal via the provided Greenhouse link.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of your strongest user research projects that best demonstrate your skills in methodology, data synthesis, stakeholder collaboration, and driving product impact. Ensure it's easily shareable (e.g., PDF, online portfolio link).

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience and skills directly relevant to the job description, using keywords like "qualitative research," "quantitative research," "usability testing," "product discovery," and "stakeholder management." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Research LiveScore Group: Familiarize yourself with their brands (LiveScore, LiveScore Bet, Virgin Bet), their market position, and recent product developments. Understand their fan-driven ethos and how user research fits into their strategy.

• Practice Your Pitch: Be ready to articulate your research philosophy, your approach to autonomy, and how you would contribute to a fan-driven culture during interviews. Practice presenting your portfolio projects clearly and concisely.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.