User Researcher - Lead UX Consultant - MOD SC Required (DV Preferred)
I'm currently looking for an experienced User Researcher / Lead UX Consultant to join a high-profile Public Sector digital programme. This is a senior, hands-on role where you'll lead user research, shape design decisions, and work closely with technical teams to deliver accessible, build-ready solutions.This role suits someone confident operating in secure, regulated environments who enjoys influencing outcomes-not just contributing artefacts.
The basics
Contract: 6 months (01/06/2026 - 30/11/2026 with extensions expected)
Rate: £690 per day
IR35: Inside IR35 (Umbrella only)
Location: Hybrid - predominantly remote, with travel to London / South ~4-5 times per month
Clearance: Active MOD SC required (DV preferred)
Nationality: UK National only
What you'll be doing
In this role, you'll be trusted to lead from the front. You will:
Plan and deliver user research, including interviews, workshops and usability testing
Work directly with senior stakeholders and end users to capture and prioritise user needs
Turn research insight into clear, defensible design decisions
Create personas, user journeys and experience maps that actively shape delivery
Design wireframes, interactive prototypes and high-fidelity mock-ups in Figma
Define and maintain design systems using components, variants and design tokens
Work closely with developers to ensure designs align with React (TypeScript) components
Document research findings, design decisions and UX guidance in Confluence
Champion inclusive design and WCAG accessibility compliance throughout delivery
Design with performance in mind, understanding Core Web Vitals
This is not a purely research-only role and not a junior UX position-you'll be expected to own the UX end-to-end.What I'm looking for in you. You'll bring a strong mix of research leadership, hands-on design ability, and stakeholder credibility. Specifically, you will have:
Extensive experience delivering user research and UX design on complex products or services
Strong, demonstrable expertise in Figma, including components, variants, tokens and prototyping
Experience engaging confidently with senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams
A practical understanding of React (TypeScript) and responsive design principles
Solid knowledge of WCAG accessibility standards and inclusive design
Experience working with Jira, Confluence and Slack
Awareness of Cypress (end-to-end testing) and k6 (performance testing)
Experience working in public sector, government, defence or other regulated environments
Just as importantly, you'll be comfortable working in a structured Public Sector environment where documentation, assurance and security matter.
Clearance & eligibility (essential)To be considered, you must:
Hold active MOD SC clearance (DV highly desirable)
Be a UK National
Be available for an inside-IR35 contract via umbrella
Be able to travel to London / South sites as required
Important - CV guidance
To ensure your application is flagged as relevant, please make sure your CV explicitly references the required skills listed above (for example: Figma, user research methods, accessibility, React collaboration and Public Sector experience where applicable).
CVs that do not clearly evidence the essential skills and clearance requirements are unlikely to be shortlisted.If this sounds like the kind of work you enjoy-leading UX in a genuinely impactful, secure environment-I'd welcome an application or a conversation.
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