Job Title: User Researcher – Public Sector Digital Services
Contract: 6 Months (Inside IR35)
Location: Hybrid – UK based (onsite as required)
Day Rate: Competitive (Inside IR35)
Start Date: ASAP
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced User Researcher with a proven track record of delivering high-quality user research across Discovery, Alpha, Beta, and Live phases within the UK public sector. The ideal candidate will have strong Government Digital Service (GDS) experience, be confident applying multiple research methods, and be adept at facilitating workshops, roundtables, and stakeholder engagement in complex, multi-disciplinary teams.
This role is with a leading consultancy delivering transformative digital services to government clients. You will be embedded in a fast-paced project, shaping services that meet user needs and align with GDS standards.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead end-to-end user research activities across Discovery, Alpha, Beta, and Live phases.
* Design and execute multiple qualitative and quantitative research methods, ensuring research is robust, inclusive, and actionable.
* Facilitate workshops, co-design sessions, and stakeholder roundtables to align teams and prioritise user needs.
* Translate research findings into clear, compelling insights and recommendations for service and design teams.
* Work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams, including designers, product managers, developers, and policy colleagues.
* Ensure services meet GDS Service Standard and Accessibility requirements.
* Advocate for user-centred design within the team and with senior stakeholders.
Essential Skills & Experience
* Extensive GDS and UK public sector experience, with a deep understanding of Service Standard and Digital by Default principles.
* Proven ability to run research across multiple service phases: Discovery, Alpha, Beta, and Live.
* Strong expertise in multiple user research methods (in-depth interviews, usability testing, surveys, contextual research, diary studies, etc.).
* Experience facilitating workshops and roundtables with diverse stakeholders.
* Previous consultancy experience, working in complex and politically sensitive environments.
* Excellent communication skills, able to present findings persuasively to technical and non-technical audiences.
* Strong understanding of inclusive design and accessibility best practices.
* Ability to work at pace, managing multiple research activities concurrently.
* Deep knowledge of inclusive design and accessibility, including research with users with access needs and WCAG 2.2 standards.
* Available for an immediate start or short notice.