At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead user research to transform services and enhance user experiences.
- Company: Join the Intellectual Property Office, a supportive and inclusive team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with excellent career growth and wellbeing initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on user-centred service design and delivery.
- Qualifications: Experience in user research and understanding of AGILE methodologies.
The predicted salary is between 47766 - 47766 £ per year.
At the IPO, as a Lead User Researcher, you will be a key member of the user research team, working at the forefront of our digital Transformation program. You will work to deliver radical changes to our services that meet the needs of our customers and our colleagues. You will have strong experience of practical user research and an understanding of different methodologies.
You will be able to plan, lead and execute user research activities in your allocated project and be able to lead, support and collaborate across projects and professions when needed. You will be joining a well-established, inclusive and close-knit team of professionals who are passionate about improving the experiences of our users. You can expect a warm welcome, and to be supported in all aspects of personal and professional development. You’ll be encouraged to spend time developing your skills and supported to gain or maintain professional qualifications and accreditations.
This role will be carried out in-line with IPO Hybrid working arrangements where staff are currently expected to spend at least 20% of their time working onsite from one of our offices. This role is based in our Newport Office. The requirement for attendance at an office location can vary by role so we would encourage candidates to discuss working arrangements with the recruiting manager to agree a reasonable balance between working from home and the office.
Job description
- Plan and deliver user research to support your allocated project
- Support and champion user‑centred practices in teams to ensure that teams take a user‑centred approach to service design and delivery
- Work with others to align user research activities with wider plans to inform a service proposition
- Mentor, coach and train B1 (junior)/B2 (mid‑weight)/B3 (Senior) User Researchers (line management is not currently required, but may feature as the team grows)
- Lead user research planning – define research objectives, methodology, sampling approach and give recommendations, ensuring that the needs of all users are considered in design and delivery
- Lead the application of user research methods in practice and provide support and advice to colleagues on choice of methods where required to increase your user research toolkit
- Lead the development and promotion of research strategies to understand user needs for a service, and continually test and improve the service
- Confidently present findings that inform wider decisions to key internal and external stakeholders and support at departmental service assessments
- Actively contribute to the user research community across government
Person specification
- Experience in delivering user research in an AGILE project environment
- Strong understanding of user‑centred practices
- Strong understanding of the GDS Service Manual
Benefits
- Alongside your salary of £47,766, Intellectual Property Office contributes £13,837 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
- A flexible working scheme with excellent development opportunities
- 25 days annual leave moving to 30 days in annual increments (1 day per year) over 5 years of reckonable service. You will also get 8 days public leave and 1 day privilege leave
- Family friendly policies that support modern working families and individuals with caring responsibilities
- A variety of support functions; Staff Counselling Service, Peer to Peer Support Group
- Eligibility for special and office‑wide bonus payments
- The opportunity to form part of our many inclusive network groups
- A range of wellbeing initiatives; Onsite Gym (Newport office), Eye Care Scheme, Volunteering Programme, Cycling facilities
- Free car parking is available on site at our Newport office
- On‑site shop, restaurant and coffee shop at our Newport office
Nationality requirements
- UK nationals
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Locations
Lead User Researcher – Newport employer: Recruit4Mum
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Newport. With a strong focus on personal and professional development, employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, generous leave policies, and a range of wellbeing initiatives, including an onsite gym and various support services. Joining the IPO means being part of a passionate team dedicated to enhancing user experiences while enjoying opportunities for growth and collaboration across government.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead User Researcher – Newport
✨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 Recruit4Mum for a Lead User Researcher – Newport, 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!
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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 Recruit4Mum before they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead User Researcher – Newport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Lead User Researcher – Newport at Recruit4Mum, 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 Recruit4Mum 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 Recruit4Mum. 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 Recruit4Mum.
How to prepare for a job interview at Recruit4Mum
✨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 Recruit4Mum, 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. Recruit4Mum 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 Recruit4Mum!
✨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 Recruit4Mum is looking for.
