Principal User Researcher

In this Principal Consultant role, you will shape research strategy across programmes and organisations, guiding user-centred outcomes at scale. You’ll lead in complex environments, mentor senior researchers, and contribute to Hippo’s research capability while engaging senior stakeholders. The role emphasizes integrating AI into UCD practice and evolving our research approach as the industry shifts. You’ll influence executive-level decisions and help grow the business through strong client partnerships.

• Contributory Pension Scheme
• 25 Days Holiday + UK Public Holidays
• Perkbox discounts
• Life assurance and death in service cover
• Volunteer days
• Cycle-to-work scheme

• Lead research strategy across programmes or organisations and drive user-centred outcomes
• Advise senior client stakeholders to shape long-term service strategy using data, insights, and primary research
• Ensure products/services meet user needs and accessibility standards, aligning with GDS where appropriate
• Lead internal initiatives to grow Hippo’s research capability and profession
• Collaborate with other research leaders to adapt practices for AI-enabled delivery
• Recruit, mentor, and develop Senior and Lead UCD practitioners
• Support business growth through pre-sales activity, shaping propositions and bids
• Represent Hippo’s research capability externally and contribute to thought leadership and community engagement

• Extensive principal-level research experience across complex delivery environments with diverse clients
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams using user-centred design throughout product/service lifecycles
• Proven ability to apply diverse research methods and adapt for accessibility needs
• Strong consultancy and leadership skills with client problem-framing capabilities
• Comfort operating in complex, ambiguous environments and with ethics/safeguarding issues
• Mentoring experience for researchers/UCD practitioners and capability building
• Knowledge of GDS Digital Standard and/ or experience delivering in private sector
• Practical experience implementing AI tools/workflows to improve outcomes
• Thought leadership within the UCD or research profession

• strategic influencing
• stakeholder management at executive level
• mentoring and team development
• user-centred design
• research methodologies (qualitative/quantitative)
• accessibility and inclusive design