At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead user research strategy and manage high-performing teams in public sector projects.
- Company: Remote-first organisation focused on impactful public services and healthcare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £100k, bonus, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic environment with genuine influence and purpose.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public services while leading innovative research teams.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in user research and team leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 € per year.
Location: Remote-first, UK wide
Salary: Up to £100,000 base + bonus (DOE)
Eligibility: Must have the right to work in the UK (no sponsorship available)
The Opportunity
We’re hiring a User Research leader to help shape and deliver some of the most complex and impactful public sector and healthcare services in the UK. This role is for someone who combines deep user research expertise with strong consulting capability — and who is equally comfortable leading people, setting direction, and influencing at senior levels. You’ll play a key role in defining research strategy, embedding user-centred practices at scale, and building and leading high-performing research teams across large, multi-stream programmes.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Owning and shaping user research strategy across complex public sector programmes
- Leading research across discovery, alpha, beta, and live phases
- Line managing, coaching, and developing user researchers, supporting progression, performance, and wellbeing
- Setting standards, ways of working, and best practice across research teams
- Partnering with senior client stakeholders to influence service and policy decisions
- Translating complex research into clear, actionable insights that drive delivery
- Working closely with service designers, product managers, delivery leads, and engineers
- Resourcing and scaling research capability across programmes as needed
- Championing ethical, inclusive, and accessible research practices
- Supporting bids, propositions, and capability growth where required
What We’re Looking For
Essential:- Extensive experience as a Senior / Lead / Principal User Researcher or User Research Manager
- Demonstrable experience line managing and leading teams of researchers and/or designers
- Strong consulting background, advising clients and working in delivery-focused environments
- Proven delivery experience within the UK public sector and/or healthcare
- Expert knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Deep understanding of user needs vs. requirements
- Experience operating in agile, multidisciplinary teams
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, including at Director and senior leadership level
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to balance quality, pace, and outcomes
- A genuine passion for inclusive, accessible, and evidence-led services
- Experience working to the UK Government Service Standard and GDS practices
- Experience leading large-scale discovery and service transformation programmes
- Background in service design, experience design, or digital transformation
- Active involvement in the research or design community (mentoring, speaking, writing)
Why Join
- Remote-first, UK-wide role
- Opportunity to lead, grow, and shape research teams
- High-impact work across public services and healthcare
- Competitive package up to £100k + bonus
- A role with genuine influence, autonomy, and purpose
If you’re a user research leader who enjoys developing people, shaping strategy, and delivering meaningful public sector outcomes, this role offers the scope, scale, and impact to match your experience.
Lead User Researcher in England employer: Anson McCade
As a Lead User Researcher in a remote-first, UK-wide role, you will join a forward-thinking company that prioritises impactful public sector and healthcare services. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead and develop high-performing teams while enjoying a competitive salary package and the autonomy to shape research strategies that drive meaningful change. The inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, making it an excellent employer for those passionate about user-centred practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead User Researcher in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the public sector and user research community. Attend relevant events or webinars to meet potential employers and showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to user research strategy and team leadership. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers and highlight your achievements.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your portfolio! Bring examples of your past work that demonstrate your ability to lead research teams and influence stakeholders. This will help you stand out and prove your value.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead User Researcher in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead User Researcher role. Highlight your experience in user research, team leadership, and consulting, as these are key aspects we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you’ve made. Use specific examples of how your research has influenced service delivery or policy decisions, especially in public sector or healthcare contexts.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value genuine passion for inclusive and accessible services, so don’t hesitate to share what drives you in user research and how you’ve championed these values in your work.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to lead and shape research teams.
How to prepare for a job interview at Anson McCade
✨Know Your User Research Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in detail, especially how you've shaped user research strategies in complex environments like the public sector.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in line managing and developing teams. Think about specific instances where you’ve influenced senior stakeholders or set standards for best practices in user research.
✨Understand the Public Sector Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the UK Government Service Standard and GDS practices. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these frameworks will demonstrate your commitment to delivering high-quality, user-centred services.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Ethical Practices
Since this role champions inclusive and accessible research, be prepared to talk about how you’ve implemented ethical practices in your previous work. Share insights on how you ensure that user needs are at the forefront of your research.
