Lead User Researcher

Key responsibilities:

1. User-centred design:
   1. Scope and deliver components of end-to-end user research activities in a variety of programme contexts.
   2. Recommend and execute appropriate user research activities based on project needs.
   3. Create and maintain phase-appropriate user research deliverables.
   4. Clearly articulate project problems, scopes, and success criteria to diverse audiences through compelling communication.
   5. Respond to challenges, supporting the team to reach a resolution.
   6. Support clients through all phases of the design process, from ideation to implementation.
2. Stakeholder management:
   1. Effectively communicate with stakeholders within your client team, ensuring alignment and buy-in, being seen by the client project team and senior client stakeholders as experienced in your profession and in UCD.
   2. Upskill and educate stakeholders and colleagues on user-centred design approaches and methods, and agile approaches to transformation and delivery.
   3. Show commercial awareness, looking for new opportunities to deliver for the client or identifying opportunities for cross-selling services.
   4. Raise blockers or risks within the delivery for the team, supporting the delivery manager (or project lead) to resolve these.
3. Business development:
   1. Play a supporting role in creating persuasive business proposals.
   2. Apply UCD and agile approaches to bids for transformation projects, ensuring alignment with client needs and expectations.
4. Community Development:
   1. Contribute to the evolution of Mastek's user-centred design and consulting strategy.
   2. Support the development of propositions and 'points of view' for applying design thinking approaches in new markets and clients.
   3. Support the development of the community, applying Design Operations principles.

Requirements:

1. Experience:
   1. At least 5 years of relevant user research experience within agile teams and complex programmes.
   2. Demonstrated application of user research methods and tools.
   3. Proven experience in conducting user research and translating findings into actionable insights.
   4. Experience in consultancy.
   5. Mentoring experience of UCD/research teams.
   6. Familiarity with GDS/NHS service standards and assessments and experience of running Discoveries to GDS/NHS Service Standard.
   7. Sector experience in healthcare is a bonus.
2. Skills:
   1. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to gain buy-in for approach.
   2. Strong facilitation skills for both remote and in-person workshops, meetings and research sessions.
   3. Ability to manage complex, ambiguous projects and organizational dynamics.
   4. Skills and experience in related disciplines such as service design, and content/communication design are a plus.

Location: Flexible (Remote, with options to work from offices in Reading and Leeds. You may be required to work part-time from client offices.)