Head of User Research Location: Leicester, East Midlands hybrid working Contract: Permanent, Full-time (37 hours per week) Salary: Grade H £58,225 - £67,468 excellent benefits Are you passionate about championing user-centred design and driving digital excellence? We are exclusively partnered with De Montfort University to recruit an experienced Head of User Research to lead and develop research practices that will shape the future of digital services at the university. About the Role As Head of User Research, you will play a pivotal role in embedding user-centred thinking at the heart of the universitys Digital and Technology (D&T) Directorate. Youll define and deliver a vision for user research that directly informs digital transformation and service design, ensuring all digital products and services are accessible, inclusive, and shaped by genuine user needs. The university is currently embarking on its Agile transformation journey, and this role will be central to embedding agile, user-focused practices into project and product delivery. Youll ensure that research insights drive decision-making within agile teams, helping to create digital services that are responsive, inclusive, and impactful. Key Responsibilities Define and communicate a clear vision and strategy for User Research, aligned to university priorities Champion and embed a broad range of research methodologies, ensuring user insights guide agile decision-making Establish and maintain standards for ethics, safeguarding, and accessibility in research practice Lead the creation of research tools, resources, and repositories to support consistent, high-quality research Translate findings into actionable insights that inform strategic recommendations and improve user journeys Define and track KPIs related to user outcomes, measuring impact and success across projects Mentor, lead, and grow the user research team, fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture Collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, influencing product and service decisions with evidence-based insights About You Were looking for a dynamic, collaborative leader with: Extensive experience designing, managing, and delivering large-scale research programmes (qualitative & quantitative) A proven ability to translate insights into strategic decisions that improve services In-depth knowledge of user-centred design principles and a wide range of research methodologies Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders Expertise in accessibility and inclusive design, ensuring services meet the needs of all users Demonstrable leadership experience, with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams Experience within Higher Education is desirable, but not essential. Why Join DMU? Youll have the opportunity to shape the universitys approach to user research and service design, play a key role in the universitys Agile transformation, embedding user research at the core of agile product delivery. You will lead on inclusive, impactful digital change that improves the experience for staff, students, and wider stakeholders. This is a chance to work within a value-led organisation committed to collaboration, creativity, compassion, and community. Call Settings Override To From Record Yes No Always use these settings Call Settings Override From Record Yes No Always use these settings