Senior User Researcher in Manchester

Location: Hybrid

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

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. Predominantly focused on the public sector, Methods is now building a significant private sector client portfolio.

Your role:

• We are looking for an experienced Senior User Researcher to join our growing team on a permanent basis.
• You will have 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 be to:

• Work with client product managers/owners to devise appropriate research strategies that generate focused insights to support product development.
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team by including colleagues in research and analysis activities.
• Advocate for users, effectively communicating their needs and perspectives to support the design of intuitive and accessible services.
• Draw together, present and test reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and/or complex evidence and data.
• Take appropriate action or make decisions even when details are not clear.
• Weigh up data from various sources, recognising when to bring in additional Methods support.
• Identify the main issues in complex problems; clarify understanding or stakeholder expectations to seek the best option.
• Convincingly and tactfully persuade sceptical colleagues and stakeholders about the value and purpose of research.
• Effectively capture, use and share user/customer insight and views from a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure better policy and delivery.
• Support the Head of User Research in coordinating quality user research across the Digital Delivery portfolio through the research community.
• Guide, coach and mentor other user researchers in Methods and our clients.
• Work closely with colleagues to identify, develop and share good practice.
• Set and monitor standards for research, e.g. in ethics, lab testing, recruitment and documentation.
• Provide 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 engage with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels, using strong interpersonal skills to develop and improve relationships.
• Actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts.
• Evaluate how Methods’ user research compares to government and competitor best practice and identify necessary and desirable improvements.
• Advocate for user-centred design and be an active part of the user research community within Methods and across government.
• Take responsibility for your own learning and development and seek opportunities to improve your knowledge and experience.
• Provide project support, guidance, coaching and mentoring (as appropriate) to less experienced user researchers.
• Support bids, alongside the Head of User Research.
• Help 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:
• 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.

Benefits:

• 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.