Lead User Researcher

As a Lead Consultant, you shape user strategy across complex programmes and guide research practices within Hippo. You will lead user research in intricate client contexts, align teams to user outcomes, and mentor mid-senior researchers. You’ll influence decision-making with data and insight while advancing AI-enabled research methods. This role blends strategy, design, and technology to create meaningful, user-centered impact.

• Contributory Pension Scheme
• 25 Days Holiday plus UK Public Holidays
• Perkbox access for discounts
• Critical illness cover
• Life assurance and death in service cover
• Volunteer days

• Lead research on complex client engagements with a user-centred focus across projects or programmes
• Act as trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, influencing service direction and design
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to ensure products meet user needs and accessibility standards (GDS where appropriate)
• Contribute to evolving Hippo's research practice, especially regarding AI-driven changes to ways of working
• Lead and grow Hippo's research capability by mentoring Intermediate and Senior researchers
• Support business growth through bids and client engagements, articulating the value of user research
• Represent Hippo's research capability externally, contributing to thought leadership and practice evolution
• Foster ethical research practices and safeguard issues, guiding other researchers to do the same

• Extensive lead-level research experience across complex delivery environments and various clients
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams using user-centred research and design across the product/service lifecycle
• Strong track record across diverse methodologies; ability to adapt research for accessibility needs
• Consultancy and leadership skills with comfort exploring problem spaces with clients
• Confidence navigating complex organisations and ambiguity
• Experience identifying and mitigating ethics and safeguarding issues, mentoring others
• Proven ability to mentor researchers and build research capability
• Practical experience implementing AI tools/workflows to enhance outcomes
• Knowledge of GDS Digital Standard or experience delivering user-centered private-sector projects (desirable)

• consultancy and leadership
• stakeholder management
• adaptability and resilience
• AI tools and workflows
• a range of user research methodologies
• accessibility considerations in research