At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead user research to enhance digital services and improve user experiences.
- Company: Join HMRC, a diverse and inclusive workplace committed to your growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community with opportunities for training and mentorship.
- Why this job: Shape impactful services that affect millions while working with cutting-edge user research.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in user research and a passion for user-centred design.
The predicted salary is between 58541 - 58541 £ per year.
About HMRC
At HMRC, we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues; an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we serve. We want to maximise the potential of everyone who works for us, and we offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make an exciting career at HMRC accessible to you. Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success, and we encourage applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.
About Unity Business Services
Unity Business Services sits within HMRC’s People and Places Group, and provides critical human resources, recruitment, finance, payroll and procurement services to colleagues in HMRC and Department for Transport. The Senior User Researcher role sits within Unity Business Service’s People, Process and Technology (PTT) Team, which provides user‑centred support including User Research, Content Design, Publishing, Business Analysis and Automation alongside project and product management. Our current focus is supporting the implementation of the ‘Unity Programme’, which will introduce brand new shared services technologies and processes to support HMRC, Department for Transport, and the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government.
As a Senior User Researcher in PTT, you will help shape and lead user‑centred design within Unity Business Services, with a strong focus on improving the guidance used by both Unity customers and internal adviser colleagues. You will be responsible for setting the research direction to ensure UBS colleagues have the most streamlined and effective guidance to assist Unity customers. You will identify opportunities for continuous improvement and work with teams to ensure guidance and services are informed by robust user insight.
Job Description
HMRC is currently undertaking some of the largest digital transformation programmes across Government and other sectors. Our user researchers are at the core of keeping user needs central to design and implementation, providing an opportunity to shape and improve Services that impact millions of users daily. You will be joining a thriving and supportive User Researcher community, with regular opportunities for insight sharing, training and discussion. Our team draws together expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and sectors and welcomes new ideas on how we can continue to conduct robust research with real‑world impact. This is an exciting time to join an organisation that is at the forefront of cutting‑edge user research.
Your Responsibilities Include:
- Leading on planning, recruiting and conducting user research in larger teams and on more complex services, including playing back user research to stakeholders and digital teams.
- Understanding the service problem then aligning user research activities to influence and support decision‑making.
- Applying a range of techniques to analyse and synthesise user research insights, creating research outputs in an actionable way.
- Advocating for, and including, all kinds of users in appropriate research activities to help teams design accessible services for all users.
- Contributing to the user research community at HMRC.
- Managing and/or mentoring User Researchers.
- Participating in HMRC’s cross‑government research and conferences.
Essential Criteria:
- Extensive experience in senior user research, improving digital services and applying GDS standards to meet user needs.
- Skilled in tackling complex problems, aligning research activities to guide decisions and deliver practical solutions.
- Expert in a wide range of research methods, including usability testing, surveys, ethnographic techniques, and data analysis, producing clear, actionable insights.
- Strong advocate for user‑centred design, influencing stakeholders and embedding research practices into agile workflows.
- Excellent communicator, able to present complex ideas clearly and persuasively; supported by a relevant degree or equivalent experience.
- Demonstratable experience in coaching and mentoring of team members.
Technical Skills:
- User research methods
- Analysis and synthesis
- Research management, leadership and assurance
- Inclusive research
- Stakeholder relationship management
Benefits:
Alongside your salary of £58,541, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £16,959 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs. We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
Pension – We make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary. Family friendly policies. Personal support. Coaching and development.
Senior User Researcher in Worthing employer: UXR Hunt
At HMRC, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment that values diverse perspectives. As a Senior User Researcher, you will benefit from flexible working arrangements, generous leave allowances, and extensive opportunities for professional growth within a supportive community dedicated to user-centred design. Join us in shaping impactful services while enjoying the advantages of a Civil Service pension and a commitment to your personal development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior User Researcher in Worthing
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former HMRC employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. This insider info can give us a real edge!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common user researcher questions. Think about how you can showcase your experience with user-centred design and problem-solving. We want to highlight our skills in a way that resonates with HMRC's mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our passion for user research! During the interview, share specific examples of how we've improved digital services in the past. This will demonstrate our commitment to user needs and align perfectly with HMRC's goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows our enthusiasm for the role and keeps us on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior User Researcher in Worthing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Senior User Researcher role. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Research Skills:Since this role is all about user research, be sure to include specific examples of the research methods you've used and the impact they had. We love seeing how you've tackled complex problems and influenced decision-making through your insights.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly and can consider you for this exciting opportunity at HMRC.
How to prepare for a job interview at UXR Hunt
✨Know Your User Research Methods
Make sure you brush up on a variety of user research methods, like usability testing and ethnographic techniques. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as HMRC is looking for someone who can tackle complex problems with practical solutions.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Senior User Researcher, you'll need to present complex ideas clearly. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated research findings to stakeholders in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to influence decision-making and advocate for user-centred design.
✨Emphasise Your Leadership Experience
Highlight any experience you have in managing or mentoring other researchers. HMRC values collaboration and community, so be prepared to share how you've contributed to team dynamics and supported the growth of your colleagues.
✨Align with HMRC's Values
Familiarise yourself with HMRC's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment and how your unique perspective can enhance user research practices within the organisation.
