At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct user research to shape impactful services and improve people's lives.
- Company: Join a growing tech consultancy focused on user-centred solutions for government and healthcare.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, 25 days holiday, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Regular travel across the UK and a supportive community await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by uncovering user needs and collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in user research and a passion for delivering meaningful solutions.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Do you want to use research to shape services that make a real impact? Are you ready to bring curiosity and insight to projects that improve people's lives? If so, Opencast could be the place for you. We're a growing tech consultancy that creates user-centred solutions with purpose for our clients in government, healthcare and purpose-driven businesses.
As a User Researcher, you'll uncover the needs and voices of people, work in multi-disciplinary teams to feed these needs into design decisions, shape impactful services, and bring curiosity, pragmatism and insight to projects. You'll enjoy a supportive community whilst working across public sector clients to solve real problems that impact people's lives.
The role
You'll conduct research which supports the development of a user centred service. You'll work closely with other user centred design roles, such as Service Designer, Content Designers, and Interaction Designers, to solve complex and interesting problems for our clients. You'll ensure that work is carried out in accordance with Opencast's quality, environmental, and information security policies and procedures, as well as applicable customer policies, standards, and procedures while working on client.
If you take a leadership role in projects, have a variety of project experience and support more junior colleagues working in design and delivery research you may be better suited to our Senior User Researcher role.
Requirements
This role involves weekly on-site work, and you'll be required to travel regularly to client locations across the UK. We're looking for people who value in-person collaboration, enjoy building strong relationships, and are passionate about delivering solutions that make a real difference for our clients.
Due to the nature of this role, you must either hold active Security Check (SC) clearance or be eligible and willing to undergo the clearance process. SC clearance is granted in line with UK Government security vetting requirements. Typically, applicants must have UK citizenship and have lived continuously in the UK for at least the past five years, with no single absence exceeding 28 consecutive days. Nationality and immigration status may also be considered as part of the vetting process. We are unable to progress applications from candidates who do not meet these requirements.
If you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility criteria, we encourage you to review the guidance or discuss this with us before applying.
We are recruiting for multiple positions, with opportunities available immediately and in the coming months. If you are interested in joining Opencast, we encourage you to apply.
To succeed in this role, you need experience of delivering user research to a delivery team. In your CV and interview(s), please show how you have:
- Chosen from a range of research methods to design the right research approach for the project phase
- Produced the required ethics and governance documentation and materials for research activity
- Recruited a wide range of participants in line with GDPR and MRS guidelines
- Identified key themes, user needs, personas, and design feedback through analysis
- Produced clear and concise user research deliverables to meet the needs of different audiences
- Worked to GDS standards
- Worked in agile delivery teams
In addition to user research skills, there are essential core skills you'll need to work effectively as a consultant. In the interview, please show how you have:
- Planned your own tasks to achieve the objectives of your project
- Respectfully challenged decisions or solutions you don't agree with
- Collaborated well with your colleagues, teammates and clients
In your interview we'll ask you questions based around these experiences. We'll also ask you to present a piece of work which demonstrates these skills and experiences. If you have any of this experience, please show it on your CV and in the interview.
What we offer
A competitive package including a 7% employer pension contribution, share options, and a discretionary bonus. You'll also benefit from 25 days' holiday and access to 3 annual "life happens" days to support unexpected situations. We provide wellbeing support, ongoing professional development, volunteering opportunities, and the chance to be part of a genuinely supportive team.
Where you'll work
This role requires regular on-site attendance at our HQ, hub offices, and client sites, as well as the ability to work from home. Applicants must be able to travel to offices and client sites across the UK as part of their normal working arrangements, since travel is essential for fulfilling the responsibilities of the role.
We include you
We welcome candidates from all identities, attributes, ways of thinking and backgrounds to thrive in a career at Opencast. Our aim is for the diversity of our people to be reflected in the solutions we deliver, to help create a fairer society for all.
Interview
Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. We're happy to make adjustments to support your needs.
Want to know more? Visit our website or email careers@opencastsoftware.com
User Researcher in Manchester employer: Opencast | B CorpTM
Opencast is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture, where user researchers can thrive while making a meaningful impact on public sector services. With a competitive benefits package, including a generous pension contribution, professional development opportunities, and a focus on employee wellbeing, you'll be part of a collaborative team dedicated to solving real-world problems. The role offers the unique advantage of working closely with diverse clients across the UK, ensuring your insights directly contribute to shaping user-centred solutions that improve lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land User Researcher in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Before your interview, dive into Opencast's projects and values. This will help you connect your experience with their mission and show them you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to user research and think about how your past experiences align with what they're looking for. We can even help you prep with mock interviews!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your work! Bring a portfolio or examples of your previous research projects to the interview. This not only highlights your skills but also gives you a chance to discuss your thought process and impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, project challenges, or their approach to user-centred design. It shows you're engaged and ready to contribute to their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace User Researcher in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the User Researcher role. Highlight your experience with user research methods and how you've collaborated in multi-disciplinary teams. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Projects:In your application, include specific examples of projects where you've made a real impact. Describe the research methods you used and the outcomes achieved. This helps us understand your approach and how you can contribute to our team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate well-organised applications that get straight to the point, making it easier for us to see your potential.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Opencast | B CorpTM
✨Know Your Research Methods
Make sure you’re well-versed in various user research methods. Be ready to discuss how you've chosen the right approach for different project phases and how it impacted the outcomes. This shows your adaptability and understanding of user needs.
✨Showcase Your Deliverables
Prepare to present clear and concise user research deliverables from your past projects. Highlight how these documents catered to different audiences, demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively and meet diverse stakeholder needs.
✨Collaborate and Challenge
Be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated with multi-disciplinary teams. Don’t shy away from discussing times when you respectfully challenged decisions—this shows your critical thinking and commitment to delivering the best solutions.
✨Understand the Ethics
Familiarise yourself with ethics and governance documentation related to user research. Be ready to discuss how you’ve produced these materials and recruited participants while adhering to GDPR and MRS guidelines, showcasing your professionalism and attention to detail.
