Senior User Researcher in Manchester

At the Government Digital Service (GDS), our mission is to build a simple, joined-up and personalised experience of government for everyone. Using our unique position at the centre of government, we develop services that work for the user, however complex the underlying systems may be.

We believe that ensuring things work for end users is the only way to realise the efficiencies that come with digital transformation. Our focus is on delivering five missions in the following areas:

• GOV.UK as the single and trusted online destination for government information and services
• Joined-up services that solve whole problems and span multiple departments
• A simple digital identity solution that works for everyone
• Common tools and expert services
• Joined-up data across departments

We are looking for a Senior User Researcher who has exceptional research skills and a track record of conducting strategic research to direct decision making. You will plan and lead user research projects, build user-centred practices, and translate quality research into design, product and organisational decisions by informing propositions and directions.

As a Senior User Researcher, you’ll:

• Lead and conduct a wide range of user research projects (from discovery to evaluative research, and from qualitative to quantitative research) by aligning with GOV.UK vision and goals
• Be bold and creative in trying out new methods and approaches, and actively seek out better ways to improve and do research
• Run high-quality research projects end-to-end: planning, recruiting participants, conducting the research, analysis and reporting findings and insights, and ensure learnings are being acted upon
• Involve colleagues and relevant senior stakeholders throughout the end-to-end research process
• Produce impactful actionable insights to inform, guide (or even reset) design, product and strategic decisions at team and organisational level
• Persuade colleagues and stakeholders on evidence-based decision-making and the introduction of new research initiatives
• Actively identify research opportunities that would bring great value and impact to GOV.UK and GDS in supporting our vision
• Mentor less experienced researchers

We’re interested in people who:

• Are rigorous and have exceptional research skills, but who also understand the balance between scrappy and rigour, and know when to adopt which
• Have extensive experience in a wide range of research methodologies and are able to execute them to high standards, from diary studies, ethnography to planning quantitative research and carry out data analysis using statistical techniques
• Have strong analysis skills to distil hidden and longevity insights from research data
• Have a good understanding of the social and technological context for products and services and align research to understand the changing user behaviour
• Know it is not enough to report just interesting things about users and have a track record of translating research into real impact and value
• Have experience working with a variety of multi-disciplinary colleagues and stakeholders and are experienced in advocating user-centred design and persuading sceptical colleagues and stakeholders
• Are experts in communicating results and illustrating suggestions in compelling and creative ways to a broad and diverse audience including senior stakeholders

Benefits:

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and average employer contributions of 27%
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30

Security: Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details: The selection process consists of an application screening process and an interview. GDS offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home/remote working and also spends some time in their local office.

How to apply: The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of an application screening process. We only ask for a CV and Cover Letter. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “Who you are” section above.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status.

Working for the Civil Service: The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.