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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead user research initiatives and build a dynamic team of researchers and designers.
- Company: Join the UK Home Office, a leader in digital data and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy a generous pension, flexible working options, and extensive leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by promoting user-centred design in government services.
- Qualifications: Experience in user research and team leadership is essential.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of diversity and continuous learning with excellent career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Responsibilities
- Working with the UCD leadership team to ensure current and future resourcing needs for user research are met, by upskilling, hiring new talent and allocating resources as required.
- Collaborating with the UCD leadership team and the Portfolio team to develop and assure good user research practice.
- Communicating with senior stakeholders to promote a user centred approach and balance user needs with business needs.
- Building and leading a team of user researchers and designers, including setting goals, providing performance feedback, mentoring and supporting their learning and development goals.
- Ensuring that delivery and product teams take a user‑centred, evidence‑based approach to service design and delivery.
- Ensuring that delivery teams build services that are accessible and inclusive.
- Ensuring that research is informed by participants from the full range of users who rely on government services.
- Assuring the quality of user research activities and outputs and embed best practice standards, guidelines and processes.
Skills and Experience
- User research: leading and setting direction for user research, influencing project and organisational decisions through expert advice and advocacy for UCD.
- Functional management: overseeing a professional function across a business area, managing and setting priorities, aligning it with wider strategic objectives.
- Strategy and advocacy: influencing the wider organisation, embedding a UCD culture and practices at high levels, including with senior stakeholders.
- Managing people and leading: leading larger teams, setting vision and strategy.
- Analysis and synthesis: leading analysis and synthesis processes for complex projects, incorporating multiple perspectives to challenge assumptions and reach consensus, mentoring junior team members in data analysis and synthesis.
- Standards and quality: responsibility for maintaining and updating standards and quality guidelines.
Benefits
- Exceptional pension: Employer contribution of 28.97%.
- Generous leave: 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service), 8 public holidays, and 1 day for the King’s Birthday.
- Flexible working: Options include full-time, part-time, compressed hours, job sharing, and a hybrid model (minimum 60% on-site).
- Learning and development: Access to training, technical accreditations, and funded qualifications (subject to approval).
- Inclusion and recognition: A culture that champions diversity, enhanced parental leave schemes, annual bonuses, and recognition awards.
Please note: This role requires SC clearance. To meet national security vetting requirements, you must typically have been resident in the UK for at least five years.
Lead User Researcher in Manchester employer: UK Home Office
Contact Detail:
UK Home Office Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead User Researcher in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at the UK Home Office. A friendly message on LinkedIn can go a long way in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for their team. We want to see your passion for user-centred design!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've led user research projects and influenced decisions. We love hearing about real experiences that showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at the UK Home Office.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead User Researcher in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead User Researcher role. Highlight your experience in user research and how it aligns with the responsibilities mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've mentored others or led projects successfully. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and guide their teams!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We appreciate candidates who can communicate effectively, especially when it comes to user-centred design!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our amazing benefits there!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Home Office
✨Know Your User Research Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in user research methodologies and best practices. Be ready to discuss how you've led user research projects in the past, and how your insights influenced design decisions. This will show that you can advocate for a user-centred approach effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built and led teams in previous roles. Highlight your experience in mentoring and developing talent, as this is crucial for the Lead User Researcher position. Think about specific instances where you set goals and provided feedback to help your team grow.
✨Communicate with Confidence
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing complex ideas. You’ll need to communicate with senior stakeholders, so being able to balance user needs with business objectives is key. Use examples from your experience to illustrate your points.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity and Accessibility
Be prepared to discuss how you ensure that user research includes diverse perspectives. Share your strategies for making services accessible and inclusive, as this aligns with the role's responsibilities. This will demonstrate your commitment to embedding best practices in user research.
