Head of User Research

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of User Research to join us and lead research activities across our user-centred products, projects and delivery teams.

You’ll be joining an award-winning team dedicated to developing and maintaining user-centred products and services. This will help meet the needs of many of our user groups - from applying to a course, to finding research collaborations and much more. 

We need someone to: 

• be accountable for defining the focus of user research and how it’s approached 
• promote the use of user needs and insights from research, analytics and testing across design and decision making 
• work alongside the Heads of Content Design, User Experience, Delivery and Product to make sure our users come first in everything we do and that they have exemplary journeys across the University’s content and services

Your responsibilities

You’ll need to: 

• inspire, mentor and coach user researchers working across a portfolio of projects 
• facilitate close collaboration and peer support within the research and UX disciplines  
• work closely with product managers, content designers, UX and interaction designers, developers, analysts to create and apply a strong and consistent approach to all of our products
• build a comprehensive knowledge base of user research and user-centred, evidence-based research methods and practice
• lead on user research activities, making considerations around resourcing to suit changeable priorities and ensuring a good fit of user researchers in terms of skills and experience
• provide senior oversight and support for user research activities across all our work, including approaches, tools, equipment, quality and standards  
• tell the story of your research – with excellent written, verbal communication and influencing skills to ensure the organisation truly reflects on its users 

Your skills and experience

You’ll need to have experience working at a senior level in user-centred design, with either the skills needed for or some experience in: 

• designing and iterating human-centred design as part of a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced environment 
• understanding what problem your team is trying to solve, and deciding on user research activities to inform decision making and action 
• involving your team in research activities, and in the analysis, synthesis, and clear presentation of outputs 
• understanding the diversity of users in the context of university services 
• setting standards for user research and developing this capability across the team   

How to apply

Submit the following documents through our online application form:  

• CV 
• statement of suitability/covering letter (2 pages maximum) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience relevant for this role   

A good statement / cover letter will help us know why you’re right for this role. It is unlikely that we’ll shortlist you for an interview without a suitability statement / cover letter.

Please note this advert may be closed prior to the published closing date should a satisfactory number of applications be received.   

If you want to talk first, please contact Ayala Gordon, Associate Director - Digital User Experience: A.Gordon@soton.ac.uk

The University of Southampton promotes a healthy work life balance with generous holiday allowance, flexi-time and flexible working. For more information on our benefits, please visit the HR pages. To read more about the team and its ethos, visit our blog.

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