At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead user research to enhance services for energy consumers and shape impactful projects.
- Company: Ofgem, the UK's independent energy regulator, driving change in the energy sector.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a mission-driven environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to user-centred design and Net Zero goals.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the energy sector while developing your research skills.
- Qualifications: Experience as a User Researcher with strong stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Successful candidates may be based in any of our office locations – Cardiff, Glasgow or London. We especially welcome applicants from Cardiff and Glasgow.
Ofgem is the leader in the Energy Sector for supporting the public and making sure the industry has the direction it needs to make the right choices. We’re looking for a User Researcher to lead research on how people interact with our services, helping us create accessible and effective solutions that support energy consumers.
Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. We ensure that every household and business has access to a safe, affordable, and sustainable energy supply. With the energy sector undergoing rapid transformation, our work has never been more vital - or more exciting.
You’ll play a key role in developing research-led insights that shape service design and policy. This is an opportunity to influence high-impact projects and improve digital and operational services across Ofgem.
As a User Researcher, you will ensure our services meet users' needs by leading in-depth research on how people interact with them. You will be involved in exciting work to discover users’ needs, analyse their behaviours and create solutions that deliver for them. At every step of the journey, you will be vital to informing, testing and supporting projects and will work with a huge range of engaged parties across Ofgem and beyond to make sure our solutions are the best they can possibly be, and user-centred thinking is at the heart of our decision-making.
We’re looking for someone with professional experience as a User Researcher, working alongside User Centred Design disciplines. You should have experience influencing and engaging stakeholders, including sceptical colleagues, and be confident in conducting inclusive research to ensure services meet the needs of all users. The ability to select and apply the right qualitative and quantitative research methods to deliver meaningful insights is essential.
In return, we offer an environment where you have everything you need to thrive, from flexible working options to outstanding perks and benefits. What’s more, you’ll have access to professional development opportunities to support your growth, whilst contributing to a mission-driven organisation that’s shaping the future of the UK energy sector and leading the drive towards Net Zero.
We have a critical purpose to ensure that the public have an Energy Industry that works for them and services that are designed around their needs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan, design and prepare a range of user research methodologies to support the design, development and continuous improvement of complex government services;
- Carry out a wide range of user research operations including recruiting participants, and managing research contacts;
- Independently carry out research activities, aligning research needs and questions, preparing discussion guides, moderating research sessions, and analysing and synthesising research findings for stakeholders;
- Lead and support colleagues to analyse research data and synthesise clear and actionable findings;
- Communicate user research findings to inform decisions in the wider team and organisation through user understanding and user needs;
- Work closely with product managers, designers, developers, business analysts, and internal stakeholders to turn user research findings into stories and actions that lead to valuable product and service features;
- Contribute to UCD strategic planning, to align user research activities with wider strategic plans to inform service propositions;
- Help build and advocate for user-centred practices in project teams;
- Develop and ensure good user research practice, sharing knowledge with other user researchers;
- Contribute to the wider user research community - including presenting at meetups, writing blog posts and leading on aspects of practice development.
Key Outputs and Deliverables:
- Research plans
- Insights and user needs from research
- Input into designs, and iteration of research plans to integrate designs
Professional experience as a user researcher, working with other User Centred Design disciplines (Lead Criteria)
Experience advocating for user research and engaging sceptical colleagues and stakeholders.
The ability to include all kinds of users in appropriate research activities to help teams understand the diversity of users of government services.
Ability to select appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods, aligning with the research needs of the team and project.
User Researcher employer: Ofgem
Contact Detail:
Ofgem Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land User Researcher
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Ofgem on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your application noticed.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into user research methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've used them in past roles, especially in engaging stakeholders and delivering insights.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for user-centred design! Bring examples of how your research has directly influenced product development or service improvements in previous jobs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace User Researcher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the User Researcher role. Highlight your experience in user research and how it aligns with Ofgem's mission to create accessible solutions for energy consumers.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past work that showcase your ability to conduct inclusive research and influence stakeholders, especially those who might be sceptical.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We want to see your personality shine through while still being professional!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ofgem
✨Know Your User Research Methods
Make sure you’re well-versed in both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these techniques in past projects, and think of specific examples that showcase your ability to gather meaningful insights.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to talk about your experience influencing and engaging sceptical colleagues. Have a few anecdotes ready that demonstrate how you’ve successfully communicated user needs and research findings to diverse teams.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think about challenges you've faced in previous research roles and how you overcame them. Be prepared to discuss how you turned user insights into actionable recommendations that improved services or products.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for User-Centred Design
Express your enthusiasm for user-centred practices and how you advocate for them within teams. Share any experiences where you contributed to the wider user research community, like presenting at meetups or writing articles.