Senior User Researcher in Manchester

Methods Business and Digital Technology Limited is a £100M+ IT Services Consultancy who has partnered with a range of central government departments and agencies to transform the way the public sector operates in the UK. Established over 30 years ago and UK-based, we apply our skills in transformation, delivery, and collaboration from across the Methods Group, to create end-to-end business and technical solutions that are people-centred, safe, and designed for the future.

Our human touch sets us apart from other consultancies, system integrators and software houses - with people, technology, and data at the heart of who we are, we believe in creating value and sustainability through everything we do for our clients, staff, communities, and the planet. We support our clients in the success of their projects while working collaboratively to share skill sets and solve problems. At Methods we have fun while working hard; we are not afraid of making mistakes and learning from them.

Your role involves being an experienced Senior User Researcher who has a passion for understanding and championing the user. You will have experience of working on products and services in a public sector environment, conducting user research on projects to a high ethical standard, with knowledge of government service standards and principles.

Your main day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Working with client product managers/owners to devise appropriate research strategies that generate focused insights to support product development.
• Collaborating within a multidisciplinary team by including colleagues in research and analysis activities.
• Advocating for users, effectively communicating their needs and perspectives to support the design of intuitive and accessible services.
• Drawing together, presenting and testing reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and/or complex evidence and data.
• Taking appropriate action or making decisions even when details are not clear.
• Weighing up data from various sources, recognising when to bring in additional Methods support.
• Identifying the main issues in complex problems; clarifying understanding or stakeholder expectations to seek the best option.
• Convincingly and tactfully persuading sceptical colleagues and stakeholders about the value and purpose of research.
• Effectively capturing, using and sharing user/customer insight and views from a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure better policy and delivery.
• Supporting the Head of User Research in coordinating quality user research across the Digital Delivery portfolio through the research community.
• Guiding, coaching and mentoring other user researchers in Methods and our clients.
• Working closely with colleagues to identify, develop and share good practice.
• Setting and monitoring standards for research, e.g. in ethics, lab testing, recruitment and documentation.
• Providing formalised peer-review to services, for quality assurance or as part of an assessment panel.

You will also be expected to carry out the following day-to-day activities:

• Confidently engaging with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels, using strong interpersonal skills to develop and improve relationships with colleagues within and outside of user research.
• Actively building and maintaining a network of colleagues and contacts.
• Evaluating how Methods’ user research compares to government and competitor best practice and identifying necessary and desirable improvements.
• Advocating for user-centred design and being an active part of the user research community within Methods and across government.
• Taking responsibility for your own learning and development and seeking opportunities to improve your knowledge and experience.
• Providing project support, guidance, coaching and mentoring (as appropriate) to less experienced user researchers.
• Supporting bids, alongside the Head of User Research.
• Helping recruit contract or permanent user researchers where more capacity is needed.

Essential Skills

You’ll have a demonstrable passion for behavioural research, with the following skills or proven experience in:

• Strong leadership skills.
• Ability to support and develop less experienced colleagues.
• Understanding the research question which needs to be answered, and choosing the best way to answer that question.
• Correctly applying a variety of research and analysis techniques.
• Ensuring research is representative and inclusive, enabling products/services to be designed to work effectively for anyone who may need it.
• Talking about research in a way that other people understand.
• Running workshops, participating in discussions and assisting in the facilitation of the design of the service through collaboration with other professions.
• Identifying the ‘so what’ and communicating it in a compelling way.
• Working in an agile environment.

Qualifications

Relevant industry experience.

Methods is passionate about its people; we want our colleagues to develop the things they are good at and enjoy.

By joining us you can expect:

• Autonomy to develop and grow your skills and experience.
• Be part of exciting project work that is making a difference in society.
• Strong, inspiring and thought-provoking leadership.
• A supportive and collaborative environment.
• Development - a management development programme, and training.
• Wellness – 24/7 confidential employee assistance programme.
• Flexible Working – including home working and part time.
• Social – office parties, breakfast Tuesdays, monthly pizza Thursdays, Thirsty Thursdays, and commitment to charitable causes.
• Time Off – 25 days of annual leave a year, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy 5 extra days each year.
• Volunteering – 2 paid days per year to volunteer in our local communities or within a charity organisation.
• Pension – Salary Exchange Scheme with 4% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution.
• Discretionary Company Bonus – based on company and individual performance.
• Life Assurance – of 4 times base salary.
• Private Medical Insurance – which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included).
• Worldwide Travel Insurance – which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included).
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay.
• Travel – season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme.

For a full list of benefits please visit our website.