Senior User Researcher Day Rate Contract

As a Senior User Researcher Consultant at Version 1 you will shape meaningful accessible services that deliver lasting value across our Public Sector Clients. Leading research across the full delivery lifecycle youll help agile teams validate assumptions reduce risk and prioritise work based on real user needs.

You will work autonomously within multidisciplinary teams - collaborating with product managers designers business analysts and developers - to ensure evidence drives decision-making at every stage. Beyond projects youll influence service strategy foster a user-first mindset in client organisations and strengthen Version 1s user research practice by mentoring colleagues and sharing expertise across our community of practice.

This role is for a consultant who thrives in clientfacing settings can confidently lead discovery and delivery activities and has a proven track record of working to the GDS Digital Service Standard.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver user research for complex projects ensuring findings directly inform product service and strategy decisions.
• Proactively contribute to client meetings workshops and presentations building strong relationships and providing actionable recommendations.
• Develop strong client relationships by anticipating client needs advising on research opportunities and driving outcomes that align with both user needs and business objectives.
• Mentor and guide team members upskilling junior researchers and fostering a collaborative supportive working environment.

Expected behaviours

• Takes full ownership of research deliverables ensuring they are high quality and aligned with project objectives and client needs.
• Anticipates challenges and delivers proactive evidence-based solutions to complex problems.
• Communicates confidently and effectively acting as a trusted research voice in meetings and workshops.
• Fosters a collaborative inclusive team culture actively mentoring and supporting colleagues development.
• Brings enthusiasm curiosity and a willingness to learn helping to build a positive and supportive working environment.

Qualifications :

Were seeking a senior user researcher who can lead high impact projects influence decisionmaking at senior levels and deliver actionable insights that shape exceptional products and services.

• Extensive experience (5 years) as a researcher leading research including work on complex digital services in Agile environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK public sector service design including GDS service standards design system patterns and assessment processes.
• End-to-end research capability - from designing and running generative and evaluative studies to analysing and synthesising findings into clear actionable insights.
• Broad methodological expertise with the ability to confidently select and apply a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g. moderated and unmoderated usability testing depth interviews surveys codesign diary studies) to meet project needs.
• Strong consultancy skills including building trusted client relationships advising on research strategy and influencing decisions at senior levels.
• Stakeholder management expertise with experience engaging senior stakeholders facilitating workshops and driving alignment across multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven impact demonstrated through a strong portfolio or case studies showing how your research has informed successful product service or strategic outcomes.
• Mentorship experience coaching and supporting junior researchers and colleagues to develop their skills and confidence.
• Thorough understanding of ethical considerations in user research particularly when working with vulnerable users or those with access needs.
• Deep understanding of inclusive design and accessibility including conducting research with users with access needs and familiarity with WCAG 2.2.
• Experience working within Agile teams actively contributing to ceremonies and supporting iterative user-centred delivery.

Additional Information :

At Version 1 we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their wellbeing professional growth and financial stability.

• Share in our success with our Quarterly Performance-Related Profit Share Scheme where employees collectively benefit from a share of our companys profits
• Strong Career Progression & mentorship coaching through our Strength in Balance & Leadership schemes with a dedicated quarterly Pathways Career Development programme
• Flexible/remote working Version 1 is tremendously understanding of life events and peoples individual circumstances and offer flexibility to help achieve a healthy work life balance
• Financial Wellbeing initiatives including; Version 1 Pension with a 5% employee-matched contribution Private Healthcare Cover Life Assurance Financial advice and an Employee Discount scheme
• Employee Wellbeing schemes including Gym Discounts Bike to Work Fitness classes Mindfulness Workshops Employee Assistance Programme and much more. 
• 24 days holiday allowance plus Public Holidays enhanced maternity/paternity leave marriage/civil partnership leave and special leave policies
• Educational assistance incentivised certifications and accreditations including AWS Microsoft Oracle and Red Hat
• Reward schemes including Version 1s Annual Excellence Awards & quarterly Star Awards.
• Environment Social and Community First initiatives allow you to get involved in local fundraising and development opportunities as part of fostering our diversity inclusion and belonging schemes.

And many more exciting benefits drop us a note to find out more.

Version 1 is an equal opportunities employer

We are committed to building a diverse inclusive and respectful workplace where everyone feels valued and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds identities and lived experiences and we value the different perspectives people bring including those shaped by disability and neurodiversity.

We want every candidate to have a positive and accessible recruitment experience. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process please contact  at Version 1. We will consider all requests carefully respectfully and confidentially.

#LI-AS1 #LI-Hybrid

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time