At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct user research to shape digital tools for critical infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join a leading consultancy driving major UK infrastructure initiatives.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, predominantly remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with diverse teams and exciting projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by improving user experiences in complex digital environments.
- Qualifications: Experience in user research and strong communication skills are essential.
We are seeking a User Researcher to support discovery, design, validation and delivery across Strategic Infrastructure digital initiatives.
Strategic Infrastructure is at the heart of a major transition, helping deliver some of the UK's largest and most complex capital programmes. These programmes depend on effective digital tools, reliable data, joined-up workflows, and systems that can be understood and used confidently by the people delivering critical infrastructure.
You will help ensure that future digital products and enterprise systems are shaped around real user needs, operational realities, and the complexity of capital delivery environments. In this role, you will work closely with Product Owners, Product Managers, Business Analysts, UX Designers, delivery teams, subject matter experts and end users to understand how people currently work, where operational friction exists, and what future digital tools need to support.
You will plan and conduct research with users across complex business areas, helping teams understand user behaviours, needs, pain points, decision points, workarounds and system dependencies. Your work will help translate business processes and requirements into evidence-based product decisions, user stories, design recommendations and supplier evaluation criteria.
You will support projects across areas such as Land, Planning, Environment and Assurance, ESG, work management, portfolio delivery, and other enterprise digital products supporting Strategic Infrastructure. This role is especially suited to someone who is comfortable working in complex organisational environments, where user journeys cross multiple teams, systems, governance points, approvals, handoffs and data flows.
You will help ensure that digital solutions are not only technically capable, but also clear, usable, traceable and adoptable by real users in real delivery contexts.
Key requirements:
- Communication skills are key to this role. Whether speaking to end users, facilitating workshops or presenting research findings to stakeholders, your ability to listen carefully, ask the right questions and communicate clearly is essential.
Requirements:
- Proven experience as a User/UX Researcher.
- Experience working on complex digital products, services or enterprise systems.
- Strong qualitative research skills, including interviews, workshops and usability testing.
- Ability to understand workflows, user roles, pain points, handoffs and system interactions.
- Experience working in agile or multidisciplinary product teams.
- Ability to translate research findings into user needs, insights and clear recommendations.
- Experience producing clear research deliverables, including journey maps, task inventories, personas, work profiles and actionable insight summaries.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Confidence working with operational users, technical teams and senior stakeholders.
- Experience identifying usability, workflow, adoption and comprehension risks.
- Experience working in large, complex organisations or regulated environments.
- Design skills are welcome but not essential.
Desirable:
- Experience in utilities, infrastructure, construction, engineering, energy, transport or public sector environments.
- Experience researching enterprise systems such as work management, asset management, planning, environmental, assurance, reporting or project delivery platforms.
- Familiarity with Double Diamond, Service Design or Systems Thinking.
- Experience supporting RFPs, supplier evaluation or product selection activities.
- Ability to create concept designs, wireframes or low-fidelity prototypes is desirable but not essential.
Candidates will ideally show evidence of the above in their CV in order to be considered. Please be advised if you haven't heard from us within 48 hours then unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion, we may however keep your details on file for any suitable future vacancies and contact you accordingly.
Pontoon is an employment consultancy and operates as an equal opportunities employer. We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention.
Digital User Researcher in London employer: Pontoon
As a Digital User Researcher with us, you'll be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to shaping the future of critical infrastructure through innovative digital solutions. We offer a predominantly remote work environment that promotes flexibility and work-life balance, alongside opportunities for professional growth in a complex and dynamic sector. Join us to make a meaningful impact while collaborating with diverse teams and contributing to significant capital programmes across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Digital User Researcher in London
✨Get Your Work Out There
As a temporary UX/UI designer, it’s crucial to have a solid portfolio that showcases your best projects. Share your designs on platforms like Behance or Dribbble, and don't shy away from seeking feedback in design communities. The more visible you are, the better your chances of snagging that next gig!
✨Join Design Meet-ups
Networking in the UX/UI design field can be a game changer. Attend local design meet-ups or workshops to connect with other designers and potential employers. These casual settings often lead to freelance or temporary job opportunities that are not advertised widely. Plus, it’s a great way to share ideas and get inspired!
✨Flexible Platforms for Temporary Roles
Use job platforms that focus on temporary roles, like Creative Circle or Similar. These sites often have listings specifically for short-term design projects, making it easier for you to find quick gigs. Make sure your profiles on these platforms are up to date and highlight your availability!
✨Slide into Direct Applications
When you see a company like Pontoon is looking for a Digital User Researcher, don’t just rely on job boards. Check out their careers page and apply directly! Companies often prefer candidates who show initiative and genuine interest in their work, plus you might find opportunities that haven't been widely advertised yet.
We think you need these skills to ace Digital User Researcher in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your portfolio:Since you're diving into UX/UI design, make sure your portfolio is front and centre. We want to see your design process, not just the final products. Share case studies that explain your thought process, the problems you solved, and how you approached user research!
Tailor your CV for the design world:In UX/UI design, your CV should reflect your creative side! Highlight relevant design skills, software you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and any user experience methodologies you’ve employed. Keep it sleek and visually appealing—after all, we’re in design!
Emphasise your adaptability:Because this is a temporary role with Pontoon, we want to see that you can hit the ground running. In your cover letter, mention examples of how you’ve adapted to tight deadlines or changing project scopes in the past. Showcase that flexibility and eagerness to learn!
Highlight collaboration experience:UX/UI design is all about teamwork. When you’re applying, mention any experiences where you’ve worked closely with developers, product managers, or other designers. Let Pontoon know how you can effectively communicate and collaborate to create fantastic user experiences.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pontoon
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
When interviewing for a temporary UX/UI design role at Pontoon, your portfolio is your best friend. Bring along a digital copy and be ready to discuss your design process, the challenges you faced in your past projects, and how you solved them. This is a great opportunity to showcase your adaptability and how quickly you can deliver results.
✨Know Your Tools Inside Out
In the world of UX/UI design, familiarity with tools like Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD is crucial. Make sure you can comfortably talk about projects you’ve completed with these tools and any unique features you’ve leveraged. The interviewer might throw in some technical questions about these tools, so be prepared!
✨Understand the Company’s Design Voice
For a temporary gig at Pontoon, it's key to understand their brand and design ethos. Dive into their past projects or any current designs they may have on their website. Showing that you’re aligned with their visual style and user experience approach will help you stand out during the interview.
✨Flexibility is Key
As it’s a temporary position, highlight your ability to adapt and learn quickly. Discuss previous experiences where you’ve had to pivot your design approach or work under tight deadlines. Employers like Pontoon will appreciate someone who can hit the ground running and be a quick study.
