Companies House

Job Vacancy Lead User Researcher

Cardiff

Companies House

Job position

Permanent
As soon as possible
£53k-66k
2 to 5 years experience
Remote
Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Published on 02/04/2026

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Are you looking for an opportunity to combine leadership with continued hands-on user research?

We have an opportunity for you to stay closely connected to user research practice while supporting and guiding your team.

As a Lead User Researcher, you’ll be an expert, hands-on practitioner. You'll lead and assure user research activity across a several teams, as well as carry out user research yourself. You will ensure that work takes a user centred, evidence-based approach to shape product vision, service design and delivery, and influence organisational strategy and priorities.

Why join us? Here’s what you’ll enjoy:

  • 30 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays + 1 privilege day

  • Civil Service Pension with an average 28% employer contribution (worth £12,434 for this role!)

  • Equality, diversity & inclusion at the heart of everything we do

  • Flexible and mobile working for a great work-life balance

  • Wellbeing first – Investors in People Platinum accreditation

  • Financial advice & support

  • Seasonal flu jabs

  • Recognition schemes

  • Generous family leave – maternity, paternity, adoption & shared parental

  • Career development & progression opportunities

  • Inclusive colleague networks

  • Cycle to Work scheme

  • Staff discounts

  • Holiday play scheme for children

  • 3 days paid volunteering leave

Next Steps

Click 'Apply Now' to be taken to our main advert Civil Service Jobs where you can see more details regarding the role, the incredible benefits we have to offer and what it's like to work in Companies House.

If you have any questions about the role or process, please reach out to .

This role closes on Sunday 19th April 2026.

Please note:

  • Companies House cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.

  • We're able to consider both full-time and part-time hours for this role for the successful candidate (part-time would be a minimum of 30 hours over 4 or 5 days).

  • Remote contracts will be considered where commuting to the office location of your team is not reasonably practicable.


Candidate profile

We’re looking for an expert user research practitioner with varied and complex project experience, who meets the technical specifications for a Lead User Researcher as outlined in the . 

The following skills and experience will be assessed during the selection process: 

  • Research management, leadership and assurance
    Proven ability to analyse complex user, service and policy problems and align user research activity to support informed decision making and organisational priorities. Experience of defining, embedding and assuring high standards of user research practice, and providing expert guidance and assurance across teams and programmes. 

  • Research methods and planning 
    Extensive experience of selecting, applying and advising on an appropriate range of qualitative and quantitative user research methods across different phases of the agile service lifecycle. A track record of improving, innovating and setting best practice in user research at organisational level. 

  • Analysis and synthesis 
    Strong ability to analyse and synthesise complex qualitative and quantitative data, involving and guiding others through the process, and producing clear, actionable insight that influences decisions at team, programme and organisational level. 

  • Agile research practices 
    Expert level capability in advocating for and embedding user research throughout agile delivery. Experience of shaping and assuring research approaches across multiple teams, ensuring insight is used effectively to inform design, delivery and strategic decisions. 

  • Inclusive research 
    Expert experience of planning and delivering inclusive research that represents the full diversity of users of government services. Ability to set standards, challenge assumptions and ensure teams design services that work for all users, including those with access needs. 

  • User centred practice and advocacy 
    Demonstrated ability to champion user centred design and research, influencing ways of working, priorities and decision making. Experience of advocating for user needs with senior stakeholders and embedding user centred practice at scale. 

  • Stakeholder relationship management 
    Highly developed influencing and negotiation skills, with experience of building strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including sceptical or resistant colleagues, to resolve issues, enable progress and improve outcomes for users. 

You can read more about a career in Digital and Data within the Civil Service in the .

Working environment

Companies House offers a flexible and welcoming culture that promotes a healthy work life balance as well as a proactive approach to wellbeing that allows us to be our best at work.  We recognise that people are the key to our success so offer a fantastic benefits package including flexible working with no core hours, 30 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 1 privilege day as well as enrolment into the Civil Service Pension scheme with a contribution rate averaging 28%.   


Our User Researchers work in an open, iterative and collaborative way in a multidisciplinary team, and communicate effectively, working closely with our designers, product managers, performance analysts, developers, business analysts and other stakeholders and colleagues.

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
> 1000 employees
IT services
At Companies House we drive confidence in the economy and make the UK a great place to start and run a business. We do this by registering company information and making it publicly and freely available. The data we hold informs business and consumer decisions, supports growth and helps disrupt economic crime. But we're more than just a government agency - we're a thriving community of professionals dedicated to driving innovation, fostering diversity, and making a meaningful impact - to the UK economy, and the lives of the people who live and work here. Our digital teams design innovative and accessible services, trusted by millions of businesses. What’s more, we value work-life balance, understanding the importance of having a career that is both fulfilling and flexible. We’re also committed to personal growth, offering two days each month for innovation time, as well as training resources and development opportunities. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your career journey, our dynamic and inclusive workplace could be the place for you.

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Lead User Researcher

Companies House

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