Senior User Researcher

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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.

Webinar

HMRC are hosting an information session on 16th July at 10amtoaccompany the application process where you will be able to hear more about the vacancy . You'll also be able to find out more about HMRC from the people who currently work in the role, including:

• Who we are?
• What we do?
• Why we do it?

There will also be the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the role or the application process.

To join the session, you will need to register by completing the following

Candidate Information Session - Senior User Researcher - Thursday 16th July @ 10am Fill in form

As a Senior User Researcher, 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 HMRCs 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

We will assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• User research methods
• Analysis and synthesis
• Research management, leadership and assurance
• Inclusive research
• Stakeholder relationship management

https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/user-researcher

Further Location Information

Please ensure that you only apply for a location that you are willing and able to work from, as we will only make one offer of employment. Any additional notes included in a Further Location Preferences (optional) field within the application form, will not be considered. Please be aware that you cannot change your location preference after submitting your application.

Office Closures

If your location preference is for one of the following sites, its important to note that these are not long-term sites for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.

For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations (opens in a new window)

These sites are:

• Benton Park View, Newcastle - moving to Pilgrims Quarter, Newcastle
• Telford Plaza, Telford - moving to Parkside Court, Telford
• Trinity Bridge House, Salford - moving to an alternative office in Manchester/ Salford

You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage.

Leeds Locations

Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRCs Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.