At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead user research to improve services and advocate for user-centred design.
- Company: Department for Work and Pensions, committed to inclusivity and accessibility.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working locations, and opportunities for mentorship.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on meaningful improvements at scale.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping services that help people in need.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading user research and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Leeds, Newcastle‑Upon‑Tyne, Birmingham, Blackpool, Manchester, Sheffield
About the role: You'll lead research activity within multidisciplinary teams, helping them understand users, solve complex problems and improve services. Your work will directly influence how services are designed, ensuring they are inclusive, accessible and effective for the people who rely on them. This is a great opportunity to take ownership of research strategy, mentor others, and play a key role in delivering meaningful improvements at scale.
What you'll be doing:
- Planning and leading user research activities
- Selecting the right research methods (qualitative and quantitative)
- Identifying key user problems and defining research approaches
- Turning research findings into clear, actionable insights
- Working with agile teams to improve digital services
- Advocating for user‑centred design across teams and stakeholders
- Supporting and mentoring other user researchers
- Ensuring research is inclusive, ethical and accessible
What we're looking for:
- Strong experience leading user research activities end‑to‑end
- Ability to translate complex problems into clear user insights
- Experience using a range of research methods
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
- Experience working in agile, multidisciplinary teams
- A passion for user‑centred design and inclusive research
- Ability to mentor or support other researchers
Senior User Researcher - Department for Work and Pensions - G7 in Manchester employer: Manchester Digital
The Department for Work and Pensions is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises user-centred design and inclusivity. With opportunities for professional growth through mentorship and leadership in research strategy, employees can make a significant impact on public services while enjoying a collaborative environment across multiple locations including Leeds, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, and Manchester. Join us to contribute to meaningful improvements that directly benefit the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior User Researcher - Department for Work and Pensions - G7 in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field on LinkedIn or at industry events. We can’t stress enough how valuable personal connections are when it comes to landing that Senior User Researcher role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your user research projects and the impact they had. We want to see how you’ve turned complex problems into actionable insights, so make it shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to user research. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior User Researcher - Department for Work and Pensions - G7 in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior User Researcher role. Highlight your experience in leading user research activities and how you've used various methods to solve complex problems. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for user-centred design shine through! Share examples of how you've advocated for inclusive and accessible research in your previous roles. This will help us see your commitment to improving services for everyone.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and insights. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to understand your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Digital
✨Know Your Research Methods
Make sure you’re well-versed in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've used in the past and how they helped uncover user insights. This will show your depth of knowledge and ability to select the right approach for different situations.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight instances where you influenced decisions based on user research findings. This will demonstrate your ability to advocate for user-centred design and work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Think about complex user problems you've tackled before and be ready to walk through your thought process during the interview. Discuss how you identified the issues, the research methods you employed, and the actionable insights that emerged. This will illustrate your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
✨Emphasise Mentorship Experience
If you have experience mentoring other researchers, make sure to highlight it. Talk about how you’ve supported their growth and contributed to a culture of learning. This will show your leadership potential and commitment to fostering an inclusive research environment.
