At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct user research and design services to improve housing experiences.
- Company: Dynamic public sector organisation based in Surrey.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive day rate, and exposure to senior stakeholders.
- Other info: Part-time role with opportunities for professional growth and mentoring.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on housing services while working with diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Five years' experience in user research and service design, especially in public sectors.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Our client, based in Surrey, is currently recruiting for a Senior User Researcher / Service Designer on a 3-month contract. The position is due to start immediately on a part-time basis (2.5-3 days per week) and offers a negotiable day rate.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience delivering user research and service design projects within complex public sector environments, with a strong background in qualitative research, customer journey mapping and stakeholder engagement. Experience working within housing, local government or related sectors is highly desirable.
Duties will include (but are not limited to):
- Conducting qualitative research with social housing tenants through interviews and focus groups
- Developing and refining eight tenant personas that reflect a range of diverse needs and lived experiences
- Mapping key customer journeys across housing repairs, digital services and customer contact channels
- Identifying customer pain points and opportunities for service improvement
- Reviewing existing customer insight data, process maps, case studies and service information
- Producing research reports, customer journey maps and actionable recommendations
- Delivering training and upskilling sessions on user research and service design methodologies
- Developing a customer journey mapping toolkit, including templates and documented methodologies
- Working closely with housing, research and transformation teams to build internal capability
- Presenting findings and recommendations to a range of stakeholders across the organisation
Experience required:
- Minimum five years' experience delivering user research and/or service design projects
- Experience conducting primary qualitative research with residents, tenants or service users
- Experience developing personas, customer journey maps and insight reports
- Experience working within public sector, housing, health or similarly complex service environments
- Experience mentoring, coaching or upskilling staff in user research and service design approaches
Skills, knowledge and expertise required:
- Strong qualitative research skills including interviews, focus groups and co-design workshops
- Expertise in customer journey mapping and service blueprinting
- Knowledge of inclusive and accessible research practices
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesise complex data into actionable insights
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
- Understanding of GDPR, informed consent, safeguarding and ethical research practices
- Proficiency with tools such as Miro, FigJam, PowerPoint and Excel
Rewards and Benefits:
- Flexible hybrid working arrangement
- Mostly remote working
- Opportunity to influence a strategic housing improvement programme
- Exposure to senior stakeholders across housing and local government services
Working hours: 2.5-3 days per week. Flexible working pattern. Some face-to-face research required in Guildford during June and July.
Please note that you require recent relevant experience to apply for this role.
User Researcher in Surrey employer: James Andrews Recruitment Solutions Ltd
Join a forward-thinking organisation in Surrey that values flexibility and innovation, offering a part-time Senior User Researcher role with a negotiable day rate. Enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through exposure to senior stakeholders and opportunities to influence strategic housing improvements, all while working mostly remotely. This position not only allows you to apply your expertise in user research and service design but also empowers you to make a meaningful impact within the public sector.
Contact Details:
James Andrews Recruitment Solutions Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land User Researcher in Surrey
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of landing that User Researcher gig.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your experiences with qualitative research and customer journey mapping. Let them know how you can bring value to their team right from the start.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every role is unique, so make sure you tailor your conversations to highlight your relevant experience in public sector environments. Talk about your work with housing or local government to really resonate with what they’re looking for.
✨Follow Up
After any interviews or networking chats, drop a quick follow-up message. Thank them for their time and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It shows you're keen and keeps you fresh in their minds!
We think you need these skills to ace User Researcher in Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the User Researcher role. Highlight your experience in qualitative research, customer journey mapping, and any relevant projects you've worked on in the public sector. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about user research and how your background aligns with the needs of the role. Don’t forget to mention your experience with social housing tenants and stakeholder engagement.
Showcase Your Skills:In your application, be sure to showcase your strong analytical skills and your ability to synthesise complex data into actionable insights. We love seeing examples of how you've developed personas or customer journey maps in previous roles!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at James Andrews Recruitment Solutions Ltd
✨Know Your User Research Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your user research methodologies, especially qualitative techniques like interviews and focus groups. Be ready to discuss your past projects in detail, highlighting how you've engaged with tenants and developed personas.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated findings to various stakeholders. This role requires excellent communication skills, so think about times when you've influenced decisions or improved services based on your research.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Customer Journey Mapping
Since mapping customer journeys is a key part of the job, be prepared to talk about your experience with this process. Bring along examples of journey maps you've created and be ready to discuss how they led to actionable insights.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to showcase your ability to synthesise complex data into clear, actionable recommendations. Think of specific instances where your analytical skills made a significant impact on a project, especially in public sector environments.
