At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of UX researchers to create user-driven digital experiences.
- Company: Join a leading UK digital investment platform with £75 billion in assets.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid working model with 2 days WFH and competitive salary.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in a culture that values design, innovation, and inclusion.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading UX research teams and expertise in qualitative and quantitative methods required.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the research function and drive accessibility standards.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 78000 £ per year.
UX Research Manager – 12 month FTC
Location: Manchester
Salary: £65,000 – £75,000
Working pattern: Hybrid, 2 days WFH
About the Role
We’re hiring on behalf of a leading UK-based digital investment platform that’s reshaping how customers engage with their financial future. With nearly £75 billion in assets under administration and a growing customer base, our client is scaling their UX capability and we’re looking for a passionate UX Research Manager to lead the charge.
In this high-impact leadership role, you’ll manage and develop a team of UX researchers, working closely with design, product, and brand to shape inclusive, user-driven digital experiences. You’ll champion accessibility, elevate research standards, and ensure insights directly inform design decisions across the product suite.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and mentor a team of UX researchers, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous learning
- Embed user-centred research into every stage of the design and product development process
- Ensure consistency and quality in research practices across all products and services
- Drive inclusive design, conducting research with users of all abilities and ensuring accessibility standards (e.g. WCAG) are met
- Collaborate cross-functionally with product, design, tech, and brand teams to align on priorities and deliver impact
- Champion evidence-based decision-making, turning insights into actionable recommendations that shape the end-to-end user experience
- Explore and implement innovative research methods to keep the team ahead of the curve
- Facilitate research critique sessions and knowledge-sharing to drive best practice and team growth
- Own user journey analysis—identify pain points and improvement opportunities that influence product strategy and roadmap
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience leading UX research teams in fast-paced digital environments
- Deep expertise in qualitative and quantitative methods—interviews, usability testing, surveys, journey mapping, personas, etc.
- Strong command of tools such as UserTesting, UserZoom, Hotjar, ContentSquare, or similar
- A collaborative approach and track record of working closely with product, design, dev, and brand teams
- Passion for accessibility and inclusive research—ideally with hands-on experience testing with users with disabilities
- Strategic thinking with the ability to translate insights into compelling narratives for stakeholders
- Clear, confident communicator who’s not afraid to challenge the status quo or be challenged in return
- Experience embedding research into design systems and influencing design standards
Personal Attributes
- Straight-talking and transparent
- Moves with speed—delivering faster and better
- Owns outcomes and drives accountability
- Passionate about doing what’s right for the user
- Collaborative and open to new ideas and challenges
Interested?
This is an outstanding opportunity to shape the research function in a company that values design, innovation, and inclusion. If you\’re ready to make a meaningful impact and lead a talented team, we\’d love to hear from you.
User Experience Manager employer: Forward Role Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Forward Role Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land User Experience Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest UX research tools mentioned in the job description, like UserTesting and Hotjar. Having hands-on experience with these tools will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed and mentored teams in the past. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you fostered a culture of excellence and innovation within your team.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company’s approach to accessibility and inclusive design. Being able to articulate how you can contribute to their mission of championing accessibility will set you apart as a candidate who aligns with their values.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your strategic thinking abilities by outlining how you've turned user insights into actionable recommendations in previous roles. This will highlight your capability to influence product strategy effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace User Experience Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in leading UX research teams and your expertise in both qualitative and quantitative methods. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive inclusive design and accessibility.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for user-centred design and accessibility. Mention how your leadership style fosters innovation and continuous learning within a team, and provide examples of how you've influenced design standards in previous roles.
Showcase Relevant Tools and Methods: Clearly list the tools you are proficient in, such as UserTesting or Hotjar, and describe how you have used them in past projects. This will demonstrate your technical skills and familiarity with industry-standard practices.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your experience with cross-functional collaboration and evidence-based decision-making. Be ready to discuss specific instances where your insights shaped product strategy or improved user experiences.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Role Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a UX Research Manager, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully mentored others in the past. Share specific examples of how you've fostered a culture of excellence and innovation within your teams.
✨Demonstrate Your Research Expertise
Highlight your experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Be ready to discuss specific tools you've used, such as UserTesting or Hotjar, and how these have informed design decisions in your previous roles.
✨Emphasise Accessibility and Inclusivity
Given the importance of accessibility in this role, prepare to talk about your passion for inclusive research. Share experiences where you've conducted research with users of all abilities and how you ensured that accessibility standards were met.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
This position requires collaboration with various teams. Think of examples where you've worked closely with product, design, and tech teams to align on priorities. Be ready to discuss how you’ve turned insights into actionable recommendations that shaped user experiences.