User Researcher (Public)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: User Researcher (Consultant)

Company: Kainos

Location: Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Service Design

Date Posted: 2026-07-31

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute comprehensive user research strategies, employing a blend of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to uncover actionable insights that drive user-centered service design.

• Champion the principles of Design Thinking and Service Design across projects and within client organizations, fostering a user-centric approach to problem-solving and innovation.

• Manage, coach, and develop a team of senior researchers, focusing on performance management, career progression, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing research community.

• Serve as the primary advocate for user research within client engagements and across Kainos, ensuring user needs are central to the development of digital services and products.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Consultant within Kainos's Experience Design capability, indicating a senior-level position requiring both deep research expertise and leadership/mentorship skills. The emphasis on "public" in the job title suggests a focus on government or public sector digital service transformation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and implement robust research plans, selecting appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., user interviews, surveys, usability testing, ethnographic studies, data analysis) to address specific project objectives and client needs.

• Conduct hands-on user research, from planning and recruitment to data analysis and synthesis, translating complex findings into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations for design and development teams.

• Design and facilitate workshops for various project phases, including discovery, co-design, and ideation, effectively engaging diverse stakeholders and client teams in user-centered design processes.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including UX/UI designers, product managers, developers, and business analysts, to ensure research insights are integrated into the service design lifecycle and product development.

• Represent user research at all levels of client organizations and within Kainos, effectively communicating research findings, methodologies, and the value of user-centered design to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Manage and mentor senior members of the user research team, providing guidance on research methodologies, project execution, stakeholder management, and professional development.

• Contribute to the growth and maturity of Kainos's Experience Design capability by sharing best practices, developing internal frameworks, and fostering a community of practice for researchers.

• Maintain strong commercial awareness, understanding client business objectives and aligning research efforts to deliver maximum impact and value, ensuring research proposals and outcomes meet commercial expectations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: deep expertise in user research methodologies and leadership in coaching and representing the practice. The mention of "public" in the title strongly implies work on digital transformation projects within the public sector, requiring an understanding of government digital service standards and user needs.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Design, Computer Science, or a related discipline is typically expected. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered. Experience:

• A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in user research, with a proven track record of leading and delivering impactful research projects.

• Demonstrated experience in managing, coaching, and developing senior members of a team or community of practice.

• Experience working within a full-service digital agency or consultancy environment is highly desirable, showcasing an understanding of client-facing project delivery.

• Proven experience working with Agile delivery methodologies is preferred, demonstrating an ability to integrate research into fast-paced development cycles. Required Skills:

• Expert proficiency in a wide range of qualitative research methods (e.g., in-depth interviews, ethnographic studies, contextual inquiry, diary studies) and quantitative research methods (e.g., surveys, analytics review, A/B testing, statistical analysis).

• Deep understanding of user-centered design (UCD) principles, Design Thinking frameworks, and Service Design methodologies.

• Strong grasp of information architecture, interaction design, and visual design principles, enabling effective collaboration with design teams.

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build rapport, influence decisions, and communicate complex research findings clearly to diverse audiences.

• Demonstrated ability in coaching and mentoring senior researchers, including performance management and career development support.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate research insights and strategic recommendations persuasively.

• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to align research activities with business objectives and client value. Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with government or public sector clients on digital transformation initiatives.

• Familiarity with user research tools and platforms for remote testing, survey deployment, and data analysis (e.g., UserTesting.com, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Dovetail, Miro).

• Experience in designing and facilitating complex workshops for strategy, ideation, and co-design.

• Knowledge of accessibility standards and inclusive design practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10 years" experience level for a Consultant role suggests significant autonomy and leadership expectations. The emphasis on coaching and managing senior staff is a key differentiator for this position.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of user research projects, demonstrating your ability to apply diverse methodologies and deliver actionable insights.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the research problem, your approach, the methods used, key findings, and the tangible impact of your research on product/service design and business outcomes.

• Evidence of your ability to manage research projects from inception to delivery, including planning, stakeholder communication, and synthesis.

• Demonstration of how you have influenced design decisions and business strategy through your research findings.

• Examples of your leadership in coaching or mentoring other researchers, if applicable. Process Documentation:

• Ability to document research plans, methodologies, and findings in a clear, structured, and accessible manner for both internal teams and client stakeholders.

• Experience in creating user journey maps, personas, service blueprints, and other artifacts that visualize user needs and service flows.

• Proficiency in synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data into coherent insights and strategic recommendations, often presented through reports, presentations, or interactive dashboards.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior research role, the portfolio is critical. It should not just showcase what was done, but why it was done, how it was done effectively, and what the impact was. Demonstrating leadership in coaching is also a key component for a consultant-level role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Based on industry benchmarks for experienced User Researchers/Consultants in the West Midlands, UK, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is approximately £55,000 - £75,000 per annum. This can vary based on specific experience, skills, and the exact nature of client projects. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Private Medical Insurance, covering you and your family.

• Generous Pension Scheme with employer contributions to support your long-term financial security.

• Life Assurance coverage, providing peace of mind for your loved ones.

• A commitment to your professional development, including training, certifications, and opportunities to attend industry conferences.

• Generous Holiday Allowance, with opportunities to increase entitlement based on service.

• Employee Assistance Program offering confidential support for personal and professional well-being.

• Opportunities for flexible working arrangements where business needs allow, though this specific role is on-site.

• Cycle to Work Scheme, promoting sustainable commuting. Working Hours:

• Standard working hours are typically 37.5 per week, Monday to Friday. While the role is on-site, Kainos may offer some flexibility depending on project demands and team agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on UK market data for senior UX/User Research roles in major cities outside London. Kainos is known for comprehensive benefits packages, typical for large IT consultancies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry:

• Kainos operates within the Technology and Digital Services sector, specializing in software development, IT consulting, and digital transformation. They are particularly known for their work in Workday implementation and public sector digital services. The company fosters an environment of innovation and problem-solving. Company Size:

• Kainos is a significant player in the IT services market, with over 3,000 employees. This size offers the stability and resources of a large organization while maintaining a culture that values individual contributions and career development. Founded:

• Kainos was founded in 1986, giving it over three decades of experience in the technology industry, building a strong reputation for quality and client delivery. Team Structure:

• The User Researcher will be part of the growing Experience Design capability, which is a specialized team within Kainos. This team likely comprises UX/UI designers, service designers, content designers, and user researchers.

• The role reports to a senior leader within the Experience Design capability or potentially a Project/Programme Manager for specific client engagements.

• Collaboration is a cornerstone of Kainos's approach, meaning this role will work closely with client-side teams and internal Kainos delivery teams across various disciplines (e.g., development, project management, business analysis). Methodology:

• Kainos emphasizes a user-centered approach, integrating Design Thinking and Service Design principles into their project lifecycles.

• They are committed to creating "exemplary digital services" that make a "positive, measurable impact," moving away from "marketing and dark patterns." This indicates a focus on ethical design and genuine user value.

• Agile delivery methodologies are commonly employed, requiring researchers to adapt their practices to iterative development cycles. Company Website:

• https://careers.kainos.com/gb/en

📝 Enhancement Note: Kainos's emphasis on a "people-first culture" and "making a positive, measurable impact" suggests a company that values employee well-being and ethical, user-focused product development, particularly relevant for public sector work.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level:

• This User Researcher (Consultant) role is positioned at a senior level, typically requiring 5-10 years of experience. Consultants are expected to lead complex projects, mentor others, and contribute to the strategic direction of their practice area. They are seen as subject matter experts who can independently manage significant client engagements and internal initiatives. Reporting Structure:

• The role will likely report into a Head of Experience Design or a similar senior management figure within Kainos. On client projects, they will collaborate closely with Project Managers, Delivery Leads, and client stakeholders, often acting as the lead for research activities. Operations Impact:

• User Researchers at Kainos, particularly in a consultant capacity, have a direct impact on the success of digital services by ensuring they meet genuine user needs. This translates to improved user satisfaction, increased adoption rates, efficiency gains for public services, and ultimately, successful transformation projects that deliver tangible value to citizens and government bodies. Their insights inform strategic decisions about service design and product roadmaps. Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research methodologies (e.g., advanced qualitative techniques, mixed-methods research) or specialize in particular sectors (e.g., government digital services, healthcare tech).

• Leadership: Progress to a Senior Consultant, Principal Consultant, or Team Lead role, taking on greater responsibility for managing larger teams, strategic client accounts, and the development of the Experience Design capability.

• Cross-Functional Development: Gain exposure to broader service design, UX strategy, and digital transformation consulting, potentially leading to roles in these adjacent fields.

• Training & Certification: Kainos actively supports professional development, offering opportunities for certifications, training courses, and attendance at industry conferences to stay at the forefront of UX research.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Consultant" title and the emphasis on coaching senior staff clearly delineate this as a leadership-track role with significant growth potential within Kainos's expanding Experience Design practice.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type:

• This role is based in Birmingham, indicating a professional office environment typical of a technology consultancy. Kainos offices are generally modern, collaborative spaces designed to facilitate teamwork and client meetings. Office Location(s):

• The primary office location is Birmingham, West Midlands, UK (Postal Code: B32DX). This location offers good transport links and accessibility for employees commuting within the region. Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be a hybrid environment, balancing dedicated on-site time for collaborative activities, team meetings, and client engagement with potential for some remote work flexibility depending on project needs.

• Kainos provides access to standard office technology, including high-speed internet, collaboration tools, and potentially specialized UX research software.

• The culture encourages collaboration, with opportunities to interact with diverse teams of designers, developers, project managers, and other consultants, both within Kainos and at client sites. Work Schedule:

• Standard working hours are approximately 37.5 per week, Monday to Friday. While the role is designated as on-site, specific arrangements may be discussed, but the core expectation is presence in the Birmingham office to facilitate team and client collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Public" designation in the job title strongly suggests the work will involve projects for government or public sector clients, which often require on-site presence for security and collaboration reasons.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A brief call with a Talent Acquisition specialist to discuss your background, experience, and suitability for the role, including an overview of Kainos and the Experience Design team.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager (likely a lead or head of Experience Design) focusing on your user research expertise, leadership capabilities, coaching experience, and understanding of design thinking/service design.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: A key stage involving a presentation of your professional portfolio. You will be expected to walk through 2-3 significant case studies, explaining your process, methodologies, challenges, and the impact of your work. This will be an opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills and strategic thinking.

• Team/Peer Interview: You may meet with other members of the Experience Design team or cross-functional colleagues to assess cultural fit, collaborative style, and technical/methodological alignment.

• Final Interview/Assessment: Potentially a final discussion with a senior leader or a practical assessment/exercise related to a research challenge or problem-solving scenario.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in research leadership, methodology diversity, and impactful outcomes. Tailor your selection to highlight experience relevant to public sector digital services if possible.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline: the problem/challenge, your role and responsibilities, the research objectives, your chosen methodology and rationale, the process you followed, key insights, the recommendations you made, and the tangible impact or outcome.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (wireframes, personas, journey maps, key quotes, data visualizations) to support your narrative.

• Highlight Leadership & Coaching: If possible, include examples of how you've guided junior researchers, facilitated workshops, or influenced stakeholders beyond direct research tasks.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics or specific examples to demonstrate the business or user value derived from your research.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for questions about how you would approach specific research problems, handle difficult stakeholders, or mentor junior team members.

• Familiarize yourself with Kainos's work, particularly in the public sector, and their stated values around user-centered design and making a positive impact.

• Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, especially during the portfolio presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is a critical component for this senior role. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not only their research skills but also their ability to lead, influence, and coach.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• User Research Platforms: Proficiency in tools for remote usability testing, survey deployment, and participant recruitment (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Synthesis & Analysis Tools: Experience with tools for organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing qualitative data (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo, Miro, Mural).

• Collaboration Tools: Familiarity with collaborative platforms for workshops and team communication (e.g., Miro, Mural, Slack, Microsoft Teams).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Understanding of web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to analyze user behavior data and complement qualitative findings.

• Data Visualization: Ability to use or interpret data visualizations to present research findings effectively.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a core CRM role, understanding how research insights integrate into CRM strategies or product development pipelines can be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool requirements aren't listed, a senior researcher is expected to be proficient across a range of industry-standard tools for data collection, analysis, and synthesis.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• People-First Culture: Kainos emphasizes valuing its employees, supporting their growth, and fostering a positive work environment. This means researchers can expect support for their development and a focus on well-being.

• Innovation & Problem Solving: The company culture encourages creativity and finding effective solutions to complex challenges, particularly in digital transformation.

• Impact & Measurable Difference: A strong emphasis is placed on creating services that have a genuine, positive, and measurable impact on users, especially in the public sector. Researchers are expected to contribute to this mission.

• Collaboration: Teamwork and cross-functional collaboration are central to Kainos's approach, both internally and with client teams.

• User-Centred Design: A core tenet is putting the user at the heart of all design and development activities, with researchers acting as the voice of the user.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Researchers are expected to work seamlessly with designers, developers, product managers, and business analysts, integrating research into the entire product lifecycle.

• Client-Facing: A significant part of the collaboration will be with client teams, requiring strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.

• Community of Practice: Within Kainos, there's an expectation of sharing knowledge, best practices, and supporting fellow researchers, fostering a learning and development-oriented environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values align well with the ethical and user-focused nature of UX research, particularly the commitment to making a "positive, measurable impact" and avoiding "dark patterns."

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Research Rigor with Project Timelines: In Agile environments and client-facing roles, researchers often face pressure to deliver findings quickly. This role will require skill in prioritizing research activities and managing expectations.

• Influencing Stakeholders: Effectively translating research insights into actionable changes requires strong communication, persuasion, and stakeholder management skills, especially when faced with differing opinions or established practices.

• Navigating Public Sector Complexity: Working on public sector projects can involve complex organizational structures, diverse user groups with varying needs, and stringent requirements, demanding adaptability and resilience.

• Developing and Mentoring Senior Staff: Managing and coaching experienced researchers requires strong leadership, mentorship, and performance management skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Methodologies: Opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge research techniques and mixed-methods approaches.

• Service Design Mastery: Further developing expertise in service design, strategy, and transformation consulting.

• Leadership Development: Formal training and on-the-job experience in team management, client leadership, and business development.

• Industry Exposure: Attending conferences, workshops, and engaging with the wider UX and digital transformation community to stay abreast of trends and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to senior consulting roles, focusing on balancing strategic impact with practical delivery and leadership. The growth opportunities are geared towards advancing expertise and leadership within the UX and consulting domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to advocate for a user insight that was unpopular or challenged by stakeholders. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Assesses stakeholder management, persuasion, and impact.)

• "How would you design a research plan to understand the needs of diverse user groups for a new public digital service, considering accessibility and varying levels of digital literacy?" (Assesses methodological planning, user segmentation, and public sector considerations.)

• "Imagine you're coaching a senior researcher who is struggling with a complex project. What steps would you take to support them and ensure the research remains on track and impactful?" (Assesses coaching, mentorship, and problem-solving in a leadership context.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working at Kainos, and specifically within our Experience Design capability, given our focus on public sector transformation?" (Assesses research into Kainos and alignment with company mission.)

• "How do you see your role as a User Researcher contributing to Kainos's 'people-first culture' and our mission to make a 'positive, measurable impact'?" (Assesses understanding of company values and alignment.)

• "Describe your experience working in Agile environments and how you integrate user research into iterative development cycles." (Assesses practical application of research in common delivery frameworks.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Frame your case studies as narratives that highlight your problem-solving journey, your critical thinking, and the value you delivered.

• Focus on Impact: Emphasize the tangible outcomes of your research – how it improved a product, service, or business metric. Quantify where possible.

• Demonstrate Leadership: For senior roles, explicitly call out instances where you led projects, mentored others, or influenced strategy.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, your rationale for specific choices, and how you handled challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not only strong research skills but also leadership, strategic thinking, and an understanding of Kainos's values and client base.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this User Researcher position:

• Submit your application through the Kainos careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in user research leadership, coaching, Design Thinking, Service Design, and any relevant public sector digital service projects.

• Portfolio Preparation: Select 3-4 of your most impactful case studies for your portfolio presentation. Ensure they clearly demonstrate your process, insights, and the tangible outcomes of your work. Be ready to articulate your role and the impact you made.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Kainos, its mission, values, and its work in the public sector. Understand their approach to digital transformation and user-centered design.

• Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse your portfolio presentation and practice answering common interview questions related to user research strategy, stakeholder management, coaching, and Agile methodologies.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions for a User Researcher (Consultant) role at a company like Kainos. Specific details regarding responsibilities, benefits, and the interview process should be verified directly with the hiring organization.