User Researcher SFIA 5
Lead User Researcher
Rate: £515 per day Inside IR35
Contract length - 4-month discovery phase then transitioning into a long-term engagement via rolling 6-month SOWs
Location - Primarily remote, Occasional ad hoc travel required to Telford
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) model
BPSS clearance is required
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Lead User Researcher to drive and coordinate research across complex programmes and services. This role will ensure that service design is grounded in real user needs while aligning with policy and service outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Research Leadership & Strategy
- Define and own the overall research strategy, standards, and governance
- Lead multi-team research initiatives across programmes
- Ensure a consistent and scalable research approach across squads and workstreams
- End-to-End Research Delivery
- Plan, design and execute end-to-end research (discovery through to live)
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative research, including:
- User interviews
- Usability testing
- Surveys
- Manage:
- Participant recruitment
- Research planning and documentation
- Ethical considerations
- Research tooling
- Insight & Decision Support
- Analyse and synthesise research findings into clear, evidence-based insights
- Translate research outcomes into actionable service and product improvements
- Influence product, policy and delivery decisions using data-driven evidence
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including:
- Product Owners
- Delivery Managers
- Designers
- Analysts
- Engage and influence senior stakeholders
- Communicate findings via:
- Reports
- Presentations
- Show & tells
- Leadership & Capability Building
- Mentor and coach junior and mid-level user researchers
- Champion User-Centred Design (UCD) best practices
- Build research capability and communities of practice
- Inclusive & Accessible Research
- Embed inclusive and accessible research practices aligned to GDS standards
- Ensure services meet the needs of diverse user groups
Key Skills & Experience
- Strong experience operating at SFIA Level 5 (Senior / Lead Practitioner)
- Proven ability to lead research across multiple agile teams
- Deep expertise in:
- Research planning and execution
- Qualitative and quantitative methodologies
- Insight synthesis and storytelling
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Experience working in agile, multidisciplinary teams
- Prior experience delivering within UK Government or Public Sector (GDS-aligned) environments