UX Research Lead

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Research Lead

Company: VicGov People Careers

Location: Footscray, Victoria, Australia

Job Type: Temporary (12 Months)

Category: User Experience (UX) Research & Operations

Date Posted: April 20, 2026

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

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive UX research strategy, aligning with government usability standards and organizational objectives.

• Oversee and optimize research operations to enhance department-wide capability, efficiency, and capacity for user-centered product and service design.

• Mentor and coach Design and Product practitioners, elevating their skills in employing high-quality research methodologies.

• Drive impactful research initiatives that inform the creation of effortless and modern government products and services for all Victorians.

• Ensure compliance with relevant research standards and champion best practices across the department.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a fixed-term position for 12 months, backfilling parental leave, and is open to individuals with existing work rights in Australia. The focus on "effortless products and services" and "Government usability standards" suggests a strong emphasis on user-centricity within a public sector context, requiring a blend of research expertise and operational management.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and Deliver Research Strategy: Collaborate closely with Product and Design leaders to define, implement, and refine a strategic research roadmap that supports product development and service design efforts, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and government usability benchmarks.

• Manage Research Operations & Compliance: Establish and maintain efficient research processes, tools, and workflows to increase the department's research capacity and capability. Ensure all research activities adhere to ethical guidelines, data privacy regulations, and government compliance standards.

• Mentor and Coach Research Practitioners: Provide guidance, training, and feedback to Design and Product teams on various qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill development in user research techniques.

• Conduct and Oversee Research Activities: Plan, execute, and analyze user research studies (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability tests, ethnographic studies) to gather actionable insights into user needs, behaviors, and pain points.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Effectively communicate research findings, insights, and recommendations to diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership, product teams, and policy advisors, influencing product and service design decisions.

• Champion User-Centricity: Advocate for the user throughout the product development lifecycle, ensuring that user feedback and insights are integrated into design and policy decisions to create accessible and effective government services.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a leadership role that bridges strategic planning, operational execution, and team enablement. The emphasis on "Government usability standards" and "research compliance" suggests a need for meticulous documentation and adherence to established protocols, a common requirement in public sector roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in User Experience (UX) research, with a proven track record of leading research initiatives and developing research strategies.

• Demonstrated experience in managing research operations, improving efficiency, and ensuring compliance within a professional or organizational setting.

Required Skills:

• UX Research Methodologies: Deep expertise in a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methods (e.g., user interviews, usability testing, surveys, ethnographic research, card sorting, tree testing).

• Research Strategy Development: Ability to define and execute a strategic research plan that aligns with business objectives and user needs.

• Research Operations Management: Skills in managing research processes, tools, participant recruitment, and ensuring efficient research delivery.

• Mentoring and Coaching: Proven ability to guide, train, and develop the research skills of others.

• Data Analysis and Synthesis: Proficiency in analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to derive actionable insights and present findings clearly.

• Stakeholder Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information to diverse audiences.

• Government Sector Experience: Familiarity with public sector environments, government usability standards, and compliance requirements is highly advantageous.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with accessibility research and inclusive design principles.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and working in cross-functional teams.

• Knowledge of UX design principles and product development lifecycles.

• Experience with specific UX research tools (e.g., UserTesting.com, Lookback, Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey).

• Understanding of policy development and its intersection with user experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "5-10 years" experience level, combined with "Lead" in the title, suggests a mid-to-senior level role. The emphasis on "Government usability standards" and "compliance" points to a need for candidates who can navigate regulatory frameworks and prioritize ethical research practices, a critical aspect of public sector UX.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Research Strategy Examples: Showcase instances where you developed and implemented a research strategy, detailing the objectives, methodologies, and outcomes.

• Research Operations Improvements: Provide examples of how you have managed or improved research operations, highlighting efficiency gains, increased capacity, or enhanced compliance.

• Case Studies of Impactful Research: Present 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating how your research directly informed product or service design decisions, leading to measurable improvements in user experience or achievement of organizational goals.

• Mentoring and Coaching Outcomes: Include evidence or testimonials of your success in mentoring or coaching individuals or teams in UX research practices.

• Methodology Documentation: Demonstrate your ability to document research plans, methodologies, and findings clearly and comprehensively, adhering to professional standards.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Evidence of designing and optimizing research workflows for efficiency and effectiveness.

• Research Governance and Compliance: Examples of establishing or adhering to research governance frameworks, ethical review processes, and compliance protocols.

• Data Synthesis and Reporting: Showcase your approach to synthesizing research data and creating compelling reports or presentations for various stakeholder groups.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a leadership role in UX Research, especially within a government context, a portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking, operational efficiency, and tangible impact is crucial. The emphasis on "Government usability standards" and "compliance" means that documentation and adherence to established processes should be a key highlight in portfolio examples.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the role is within the Victorian Government (VPS 5 level) and located in Footscray, Victoria, a typical salary range for a UX Research Lead with 5-10 years of experience would be approximately AUD $95,000 - $115,000 per annum, plus superannuation.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on research of Victorian Public Service (VPS) pay scales for VPS Grade 5 positions, considering the typical salary bands for UX research leadership roles in the Australian market, and factoring in the specified location of Footscray, Victoria.

Benefits:

• Flexible Working Arrangements: The role explicitly mentions that "All roles at DTF can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role," indicating potential for hybrid work and flexible hours.

• Superannuation: As per Australian employment standards, employers are required to contribute to an employee's superannuation fund.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for learning and skill enhancement, as indicated by the mentoring responsibilities and the nature of a government role.

• Contribution to Public Services: The opportunity to work on projects that directly impact the lives of Victorians and enhance government services.

• Fixed-Term Contract Benefits: While a fixed-term role, it offers specific project experience and potential for professional growth within a defined period.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are typically 38-40 hours per week within the Victorian Public Service. Flexible working arrangements may allow for variations in start/end times, subject to operational requirements and team agreement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical Victorian Public Service (VPS) Grade 5 classifications and market rates for UX Research Lead roles in Australia. Exact compensation will be determined by the employer based on the candidate's experience and qualifications. The mention of "flexible working arrangements" is a key benefit for operations professionals seeking work-life integration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Government & Public Sector (Victorian Government Department)

Company Size: Large (Part of a broad government structure, likely hundreds to thousands of employees within the department).

Founded: The Victorian Government has a long history; specific department founding dates vary but represent established public service institutions.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research Lead will likely be part of a broader Digital or Service Design team, reporting to a Director or Senior Manager of Digital Services/Product.

• Collaboration will be extensive with Product Managers, UX Designers, Policy Advisors, and potentially data analysts and engineers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Research insights will be central to informing product and service design, aligning with government objectives and user needs.

• Agile & Iterative Development: Likely to work within Agile frameworks, involving iterative design and testing cycles.

• User-Centric Design Principles: A strong focus on understanding and meeting the needs of Victorian citizens through user research and feedback loops.

• Compliance and Governance: Adherence to government standards, policies, and ethical guidelines is paramount.

Company Website: https://www.vic.gov.au/ (General Victorian Government portal; specific department details would be within the provided URL context).

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within the Victorian Government implies a structured environment with a strong emphasis on public service values, policy adherence, and citizen-centricity. This context is vital for understanding the operational priorities and decision-making processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a significant step into leadership within the UX Research domain, moving beyond individual contribution to strategic direction and team enablement. It bridges individual contributor expertise with management responsibilities.

Reporting Structure: The UX Research Lead will typically report to a senior leader (e.g., Director of Digital Services, Head of Product) and will be responsible for guiding and mentoring other practitioners within the product and design teams.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is critical for ensuring that government products and services are accessible, efficient, and meet the needs of the public. Effective UX research directly contributes to citizen satisfaction, operational efficiency for government departments, and adherence to policy objectives. By leading research strategy and operations, the role influences product roadmaps and service delivery improvements on a large scale.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Transition into more senior leadership roles within UX research, product management, or digital strategy in the public sector.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific research areas (e.g., accessibility, service design, policy research) or gain broader experience in managing larger research functions.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to move into related fields such as Product Management, Service Design, or Policy development within government.

• Continuous Learning: Access to government-sponsored training, workshops, and conferences to stay abreast of the latest UX research trends and technologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in public sector UX research leadership, which can be a distinct career path from private sector roles. The focus on "effortless products and services" for "all Victorians" highlights the significant societal impact and potential for career satisfaction.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, balancing remote work with in-office collaboration. The Victorian Government often emphasizes modern office spaces designed for collaboration.

Office Location(s): Footscray, Victoria, Australia. This location is a well-established urban center within Melbourne, offering good transport links.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes meeting rooms, breakout areas, and open-plan workspaces designed to foster team interaction and knowledge sharing.

• Technology Access: Employees will have access to necessary IT equipment, software, and digital tools required for research, analysis, and communication.

• Team Interaction: Regular opportunities for face-to-face and virtual interactions with colleagues, fostering a sense of team cohesion and shared purpose in delivering government services.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (38-40/week) with flexibility. This allows for structured workdays focused on research planning, execution, analysis, and communication, while accommodating personal needs through flexible arrangements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work model is a significant aspect of the work environment, requiring individuals to manage their time effectively across remote and in-office settings. This necessitates strong self-management skills and the ability to maintain productivity and collaboration regardless of location.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit a resume and a cover letter addressing key selection criteria (within three pages).

• Initial Screening: Review of applications and cover letters to assess alignment with core requirements and experience.

• Interview Round 1: Likely a behavioral and experience-based interview focusing on UX research expertise, leadership capabilities, and operational management skills. This may include scenario-based questions.

• Interview Round 2 / Assessment: This could involve a presentation of a portfolio, a research task or case study, or a panel interview with senior stakeholders to assess strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.

• Pre-Employment Screening: For preferred applicants, this may include reference checks and potentially a police check or other background verification, typical for government roles.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Tailor to Role: Specifically highlight experience in leading research strategy, managing research operations, and mentoring others, with a focus on public sector or government-related projects if possible.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics and data to demonstrate the impact of your research on product improvements, user satisfaction, or efficiency gains. For example, "Reduced task completion time by X%," or "Increased user satisfaction scores by Y points."

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your research process from planning and methodology selection to analysis and stakeholder communication. Detail how you ensured compliance and managed operations.

• Address "Effortless" and "Usability Standards": Prepare examples that show how your research directly contributed to making government services easier to use and compliant with official standards.

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as compelling narratives, outlining the problem, your approach, the execution, and the positive outcomes.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Strategy Design: Be prepared to discuss how you would develop a research strategy for a new government service or product, considering constraints and objectives.

• Operational Efficiency: Think about how you would assess and improve the efficiency of existing research processes within a government department.

• Mentoring Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would coach a junior designer or product manager on conducting effective user interviews or usability tests.

• Stakeholder Communication: Practice articulating complex research findings to non-research audiences, focusing on actionable insights and strategic implications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes addressing "key selection criteria" in the cover letter, a common practice in government recruitment. The portfolio review will likely scrutinize how candidates have applied UX research principles within structured, potentially regulated environments.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: Experience with platforms like UserTesting.com, Lookback, Maze, or similar for remote usability testing and participant recruitment.

• Survey Tools: Proficiency with tools such as Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, or Google Forms for quantitative data collection.

• Data Analysis Software: Familiarity with qualitative data analysis tools (e.g., Dovetail, NVivo) and basic quantitative analysis (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, R, SPSS for more advanced needs).

• Collaboration Tools: Experience with tools like Miro, Mural, Figma, Confluence, or Jira for collaborative design, documentation, and project management.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand user behavior on digital platforms.

• Reporting Dashboards: Ability to create clear and concise reports and dashboards using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Google Data Studio to present research findings.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how user data is managed within government systems for service delivery and how automation might impact user journeys could be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools are not listed, a UX Research Lead is expected to be proficient in a range of industry-standard tools for data collection, analysis, and collaboration. The ability to integrate research findings with broader analytics platforms is a plus.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Citizen-Centricity: A core value of the Victorian Government is serving the public effectively. This translates to a deep commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of citizens.

• Integrity and Accountability: Upholding public trust through ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability in all research and decision-making processes.

• Excellence and Innovation: Striving for high-quality outcomes and embracing innovative approaches to service delivery and product design, while adhering to government standards.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Working effectively across departments and disciplines to achieve shared goals, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.

• Evidence-Based Decision Making: Relying on data, research, and evidence to inform strategies and operational improvements.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where UX research is integrated early and often with product management, design, policy, and engineering teams.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and knowledge sharing to drive continuous improvement.

• Process-Oriented: A methodical approach to problem-solving and project execution, with an emphasis on clear processes and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values of the Victorian Public Service are foundational. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of and alignment with these values, particularly citizen-centricity, integrity, and a commitment to public service excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Bureaucracy: Working within a large government organization can involve complex approval processes and stakeholder management.

• Balancing Diverse Needs: Synthesizing research findings to satisfy the needs of a broad and diverse population, while also meeting government policy objectives.

• Resource Constraints: Potentially managing research initiatives with limited budgets or timelines, requiring efficient operational planning.

• Proving Value: Continuously demonstrating the ROI of UX research to stakeholders who may have varying levels of understanding or buy-in.

• Change Management: Driving adoption of user-centered practices and research insights within established processes and potentially traditional mindsets.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Public Sector UX Expertise: Gaining specialized knowledge and experience in UX research within a government context, which is a niche and valuable skill set.

• Policy and Service Design Integration: Understanding how UX research informs broader policy development and service design strategies.

• Leadership Skills: Developing advanced leadership, mentoring, and strategic planning capabilities.

• Networking: Building a professional network within the Victorian Government and the broader public sector.

• Formal Training: Access to government-funded courses and workshops in areas such as leadership, project management, and advanced research techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding the unique challenges of the public sector is key. Candidates should be prepared to discuss strategies for overcoming these hurdles, such as building strong stakeholder relationships and demonstrating value through clear, data-backed insights.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a UX research strategy for a new government digital service, considering our mandate to serve all Victorians?" (Focus on methodology, stakeholder alignment, and ethical considerations).

• "Describe a time you had to manage competing priorities or resource limitations in a research project. How did you adapt your approach?" (Demonstrate operational efficiency and problem-solving).

• "How would you mentor a product manager who is new to UX research techniques?" (Showcase coaching style and ability to simplify complex concepts).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for the Victorian Government and specifically on services for Victorians?" (Showcase understanding of public service values and mission).

• "How do you ensure your research practices are inclusive and representative of diverse user groups?" (Assess commitment to accessibility and equity).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by key themes: Research Strategy, Research Operations, Impactful Case Studies, and Mentoring/Coaching.

• Highlight Government Relevance: If you have public sector experience, emphasize it. If not, draw parallels between your private sector experience and the requirements of this role (e.g., working with diverse user bases, managing complex projects).

• Focus on Process & Outcomes: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your research methodology, how you managed operations and compliance, the key insights, the resulting design changes, and the measurable impact.

• Be Prepared for Questions on: Ethical considerations, data privacy, accessibility, and how you translate research findings into actionable recommendations for product and policy teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions for government roles often focus on behavioral competencies, alignment with public service values, and the ability to navigate complex organizational structures. Preparing specific examples that address these aspects will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the VicGov People Careers portal.

• Resume Customization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in UX research leadership, research operations management, and mentoring. Use keywords from the job description such as "research strategy," "research operations," "compliance," "usability standards," and "stakeholder engagement."

• Cover Letter Crafting: Write a compelling cover letter (within three pages) that directly addresses the "key selection criteria" mentioned in the position description. Use specific examples to demonstrate your qualifications and alignment with the role's responsibilities and the Victorian Government's values.

• Portfolio Preparation: Organize your portfolio to showcase your best work, focusing on research strategy development, operational improvements, impactful case studies, and evidence of mentoring. Ensure it is easily accessible (e.g., PDF, online link) and clearly demonstrates your ability to drive user-centered outcomes in a structured environment.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with the Victorian Government's digital strategy, public service values, and any known initiatives related to service delivery and citizen experience. Understand the context of Footscray as a location and its community.

⚠️ 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.