Senior User Researcher

Company Overview

Version 1 is a long-established technology services company with more than 28 years of experience, supporting global brands with solutions designed to improve customer outcomes. The business helps clients adapt to a fast-changing digital-first environment and works closely with major technology partners such as Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems, and Snowflake to deliver high-quality services.

The company describes itself as an award-winning employer with a strong employee-focused culture. It highlights its standing as the UK and Ireland’s leading AWS, Microsoft, and Oracle partner, a business of more than 3,300 people generating €350/£300m revenue, and a Great Place to Work in Ireland and the UK for over 10 years. It has also been recognised as a Best Workplace for Women in the UK and Ireland, and a Best Workplace for Wellbeing in the UK.

Version 1 is built around core values and looks for people who share them. The organisation says it invests in employees who invest in the company.

Role Summary

As a Senior User Researcher Consultant, you will help design accessible, meaningful services that create long-term value in both public and private sector work. You will lead research across the full delivery lifecycle, supporting agile teams to test assumptions, reduce risk, and prioritise work around genuine user needs.

You will operate independently within multidisciplinary teams, partnering with product managers, designers, business analysts, and developers so that evidence informs decisions throughout delivery. You will also contribute beyond individual projects by shaping service direction, encouraging a user-centred approach within client organisations, and strengthening Version 1’s research community through mentoring and knowledge sharing.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver user research on complex assignments, making sure the findings directly support product, service, and strategic decisions.
• Take an active role in client meetings, workshops, and presentations, building trusted relationships and turning research into practical recommendations.
• Develop and maintain strong client partnerships by identifying needs early, advising on suitable research opportunities, and helping drive outcomes that balance user requirements with business goals.
• Coach and support other team members, helping junior researchers grow and contributing to a collaborative, encouraging environment.
• Take responsibility for research outputs and ensure they are polished, accurate, and aligned with both project goals and client expectations.
• Respond to challenges in a proactive way and propose evidence-based solutions to complex problems.
• Communicate clearly and confidently as a trusted research specialist in discussions, meetings, and workshops.
• Promote an inclusive team culture by mentoring colleagues and supporting their professional development.
• Bring curiosity, enthusiasm, and openness to learning in order to help maintain a positive working environment.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in research, including leading work on complex digital services in Agile settings.
• Ability to run research end to end, including planning and carrying out generative and evaluative studies, then analysing and synthesising the results into clear, practical insights.
• Broad experience with both qualitative and quantitative methods, such as moderated and unmoderated usability testing, in-depth interviews, surveys, co-design sessions, and diary studies.
• Strong consulting capability, including the ability to build trusted client relationships, advise on research approach, and influence senior decision-makers.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders, facilitating workshops, and creating alignment across multidisciplinary teams.
• A strong portfolio or case studies showing how research has contributed to successful product, service, or strategy outcomes.
• Experience mentoring or coaching junior researchers and supporting team development.
• Sound understanding of research ethics, especially when working with vulnerable people or users with access needs.
• Strong knowledge of inclusive design and accessibility, including research with users who have access needs and familiarity with WCAG 2.2.
• Working knowledge of UK public sector service design, including GDS service standards, GOV.UK design system patterns, and assessment processes.
• Experience working in Agile teams and contributing to ceremonies and iterative, user-focused delivery.

Additional Information

Version 1 offers a benefits package designed to support wellbeing, career development, and financial stability.

• A quarterly performance-related profit share scheme that allows employees to benefit from company profits.
• Career progression support through Strength in Balance and Leadership schemes, plus a quarterly Pathways Career Development programme.
• Flexible remote working, with understanding of life events and personal circumstances to help maintain work-life balance.
• Financial wellbeing support, including pension, private healthcare cover, life assurance, financial advice, and an employee discount scheme.
• Wellbeing initiatives such as gym discounts, bike-to-work support, fitness classes, mindfulness workshops, an employee assistance programme, and more.
• Generous annual leave, enhanced maternity and paternity leave, marriage/civil partnership leave, and special leave policies.
• Educational support, incentivised certifications, and accreditations including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat.
• Recognition programmes such as the Annual Excellence Awards and the Call-Out platform.
• Environment, social, and community initiatives that encourage involvement in local fundraising and development activities as part of diversity, inclusion, and belonging efforts.

The company also notes that there are additional benefits available and invites candidates to enquire for more information.