Lead User Researcher Contractor

Lead User Researcher Contractor

Freelance 48000 - 72000 Β£ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead user research projects and guide teams to deliver impactful insights.
  • Company: Join Hitachi Solutions, a global leader in digital transformation.
  • Benefits: Flexible contract work with opportunities across diverse projects.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of digital services while making a real difference.
  • Qualifications: Extensive user research experience and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Collaborate with talented teams and grow your career in a dynamic environment.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 Β£ per year.

Hitachi Solutions Europe is a global Digital, Data and Technology consultancy, Microsoft Inner Circle and Cloud Services partner, specialising in end-to-end transformation. We build services that are user centred and accessible, designed by our brilliant agile teams, capable of harnessing the power of the latest technologies. We are committed to Microsoft technologies, with a mission to revolutionise modern businesses.

We are building a talent pool of experienced user research contractors to support increasing demand across a range of digital transformation initiatives. Contractors in this pool will be engaged on delivery-focused project work across a mix of commercial and UK Government clients, supporting initiatives of varying scale and complexity. Engagements will differ in length and scope depending on project requirements and will be agreed on a project-by-project basis.

Contract Type: Independent contractor - outside IR35

Responsibilities:

  • The Lead User Researcher contractor will be accountable for delivering agreed user research outcomes within scope of each project, which may include:
  • Providing day-to-day research leadership within delivery teams
  • Coaching and supporting other researchers working on the same programme as part of delivery activities
  • Leading the definition and execution of user research activities aligned to relevant project phase objectives
  • Shaping research strategy and plans in response to project constraints, risks and decision needs
  • Selecting and applying appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods to inform service and solution direction
  • Coordinating research activities across multidisciplinary delivery teams and partner organisations
  • Synthesising insights into clear, actionable findings that inform design, product, policy and technical decisions
  • Presenting research findings to senior stakeholders to support evidence-based decision making
  • Ensuring research activities meet accessibility, inclusion, and ethical standards

Qualifications:

  • Extensive experience leading user research on complex digital programmes, ideally within public sector or large enterprise environments.
  • Strong judgement in planning and executing user research activities to support decision-making across Discovery, Alpha, Beta and Live phases.
  • Practical expertise in selecting and applying a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods to inform service, product and solution design.
  • Experience providing research leadership within multidisciplinary delivery teams, including coordinating the work of other researchers on the same programme (no formal line management responsibilities)
  • Proven ability to translate research findings into actionable insights that influence decisions.
  • Strong experience working to the GDS Service Standard.
  • Demonstrated commitment to inclusive research practices, including recruiting diverse participants and advocating accessibility best practice.
  • Ability to build effective working relationships with stakeholders and clearly articulate the value of user research in complex delivery contexts.
  • A solid understanding of how modern digital services are built, and experience working closely with designers, engineers, product managers and delivery roles.

Additional Information:

In applying for a role with Hitachi Solutions Europe Limited and/or its affiliates (β€œHitachi”) you consent to Hitachi collecting and storing your personal information (including your name, job title and email address) in relation to this role and any others that may be suitable in the future. For more information please refer to our Privacy policy located at privacy policy (hitachi-solutions.co.uk).

Beware of scams: Our recruiting team may communicate with candidates via our @hitachisolutions.com domain email address and/or via our SmartRecruiters (Applicant Tracking System) notification@smartrecruiters.com domain email address regarding your application and interview requests. All offers will originate from our @hitachisolutions.com domain email address. If you receive an offer or information from someone purporting to be an employee of Hitachi Solutions from any other domain, it may not be legitimate.

Lead User Researcher Contractor employer: Hitachi Solutions Germany

Hitachi Solutions Europe is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises user-centred design and innovation. As a contractor, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful user research initiatives across diverse projects, collaborating with talented teams while benefiting from flexible engagement terms. With a strong commitment to professional growth and inclusivity, Hitachi fosters an environment where your insights can drive meaningful change in both commercial and public sector landscapes.
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Contact Detail:

Hitachi Solutions Germany Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Lead User Researcher Contractor

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant meetups, and engage with user research communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Lead User Researcher role or can refer you directly.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your best user research projects. Make sure to include case studies that demonstrate how your insights led to impactful decisions. This will help us see your value right away!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your storytelling skills. Be ready to discuss your research methods and how you've influenced design and product decisions in past roles. We love hearing about real-world examples!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Hitachi Solutions Europe. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

We think you need these skills to ace Lead User Researcher Contractor

User Research Leadership
Qualitative Research Methods
Quantitative Research Methods
Research Strategy Development
Stakeholder Engagement
Data Synthesis
Accessibility Standards
Inclusive Research Practices
GDS Service Standard
Collaboration with Multidisciplinary Teams
Communication Skills
Decision-Making Support
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫑

Show Off Your Experience: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your extensive experience leading user research on complex digital programmes. We want to see how you've tackled challenges in the public sector or large enterprises, so don’t hold back!

Be Specific About Your Skills: We love it when applicants get into the nitty-gritty! Detail the qualitative and quantitative research methods you’ve used and how they’ve informed service design. This helps us understand your approach and expertise better.

Connect with Our Values: Make sure to mention your commitment to inclusive research practices and accessibility. We’re all about building services that are user-centred, so showing us you share this value will definitely catch our eye!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Hitachi Solutions Germany

✨Know Your User Research Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your user research methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've applied both qualitative and quantitative methods in past projects. Highlight specific examples where your research led to actionable insights, especially in complex digital programmes.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Lead User Researcher, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and coach other researchers. Prepare to share experiences where you've guided teams through research activities, and how you’ve shaped research strategies to meet project objectives.

✨Understand the Project Context

Familiarise yourself with Hitachi Solutions' focus on digital transformation and their commitment to Microsoft technologies. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission and how you can contribute to their delivery-focused project work.

✨Communicate Clearly with Stakeholders

Practice articulating the value of user research to non-research stakeholders. Think about how you would present your findings to senior stakeholders and ensure you can explain how your insights can influence design and policy decisions effectively.

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