At a Glance
- Tasks: Champion user needs through impactful research and collaboration on innovative public sector projects.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company dedicated to user-centred design and societal impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, wellness resources, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with strong leadership and exciting project work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in society while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in user research and a passion for behavioural insights are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid). We are seeking 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.
Responsibilities
- 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.
- 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.
Day-to-day activities
- Confidently engage with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels, using strong interpersonal skills to develop and improve relationships within and outside of user research.
- 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
- Demonstrable passion for behavioural research.
- 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.
- Communicating research in a way others can understand.
- Running workshops and facilitating service design 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
- 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 opportunities through a management development programme and training.
- Wellness resources, flexible working, social activities, time off, volunteering, pension, discretionary bonus, life and private medical insurance, worldwide travel insurance, enhanced maternity/paternity pay, and travel benefits.
For a full list of benefits please visit our website: www.methods.co.uk/careers/benefits
Senior User Researcher in Manchester employer: Methods
At Methods, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our remote Senior Fabric Architect role offers the flexibility to work from anywhere while providing opportunities for professional growth through mentorship and engagement with senior stakeholders. With a commitment to modern data solutions and a supportive team environment, you will find meaningful and rewarding employment here, especially with our vibrant offices in London and Sheffield as hubs for collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior User Researcher in Manchester
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
In the world of UX/UI design, your portfolio speaks volumes! Make sure it's packed with your best work and showcases your process, not just the final product. We want to see how you tackle design challenges, so consider adding case studies that reflect your thought process and user-centric approach.
✨Get Involved in Design Communities
Jump into local or online design meetups and workshops! Places like UXPA or local design events can be goldmines for networking and learning. Plus, mingling with fellow designers can introduce you to potential job openings that might not be listed elsewhere.
✨Tailor Your Applications
When you find a role that excites you, like the one at Methods for a Senior User Researcher, make your application count! Highlight specific projects and skills that directly relate to the job description. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who fit into their specific team, so show them you’re the one!
✨Leverage Social Media
Don't underestimate the power of social media in finding a UX/UI design job! Follow design leaders on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, share your work, and engage in conversations. It’s a great way to get noticed by recruiters and even catch wind of openings at companies like Methods before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior User Researcher in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Senior User Researcher at Methods, make sure to include examples that clearly highlight your design process. We want to see not just the final product but also the journey that led you there—wireframes, user personas, and iterations demonstrate your thought process and user-centric approach!
Tailor Your Portfolio:A tailor-made portfolio is crucial for a full-time design role! Curate your best projects that align with the kind of work Methods does. We suggest including 3-5 case studies that showcase a variety of skills such as wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to really make your application pop.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just be a summary of your CV. Use it to express why you’re excited about UX/UI Design and what draws you specifically to Methods. Mention any relevant experience, tools you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and how you can contribute to their projects.
Highlight Collaboration Skills:In the world of UX/UI Design, teamwork is crucial. Make sure to highlight any past experiences where you worked in cross-functional teams. Illustrate how you communicated design decisions and listened to feedback, as this will resonate well with the culture at Methods.
How to prepare for a job interview at Methods
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
When you're gunning for a full-time UX/UI design role, your portfolio is your best friend! Make sure you've got a solid selection of your work, showcasing not just the final designs, but the process behind them—think wireframes, user flows, and any user research you've conducted. During the interview with Methods, be prepared to discuss your design decisions and how they solve specific user problems.
✨Prepare for Design Challenges
Expect to face some practical design tasks during your interview. Methods might ask you to tackle a quick design challenge or critique an existing interface. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and try to articulate your thought process as you work through these scenarios. Showing how you approach a design problem is just as important as the final output!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with the tools commonly used in the industry—figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch should be second nature to you. Be ready to discuss your preferred tools during the interview and how they've shaped your design process at previous positions. This knowledge could give you an edge at Methods!
✨Show Passion for User Experience
In a full-time UX/UI design role, having a genuine passion for improving user interactions can set you apart. Be prepared to share instances when you went above and beyond to ensure a great user experience in your previous projects. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a designer, but a user advocate, which is exactly what Methods is looking for.
