User Researcher

Describe the work of the team and the department:

Do you want a job where you can make a real difference? There are few jobs where you can do this for 40 million consumers of financial products, 2 million people who work in the UK Financial Services industry, and the stability of our economy.

The FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) has three main aims:
Stop & prevent the most serious harm
Set & test higher standards
Promote competition and positive change.

As part of the Data, Technology & Innovation (DTI) Division, we are leading the FCA in harnessing the power of data and advanced analytics to transform financial regulation.
In Intelligence and Digital, a subdivision of DTI, we believe in doing things differently.
We believe in collaboration, inclusivity, innovation and using data to be at our best.
We place emphasis on curiosity and experimentation. We collaborate widely with other regulators, academics, innovative companies, and within the FCA.
Data is an essential ingredient to delivering effective regulation, so we treat our data as an asset and have built services to ensure we can make best use of it.
Importantly, we believe that people need space to learn and grow and we supply
supporting learning programmes and opportunities for all staff.
In our culturally diverse team, everyone is encouraged to be part of the team and put their ideas forward. We strongly value, encourage and support diversity, equity, and inclusion.

What does this job involve?

As a User Researcher at the FCA you will work within a multi-disciplinary digital product team (squad) to design new products and services that help our users achieve their goals.
Build user-centred practices in new teams
Align user research activities with wider plans to inform a service proposition
Possible future line management of junior user researchers, including professional/technical leadership and supporting professional development of junior staff/graduates.

What will the candidate get from the role?

Specific insights or unique benefits the role offers:
Flexible and hybrid working
Learning and development tailored to your role, including coaching and mentoring
Competitive, flexible benefits package

Which minimum, essential & desirable skills are required?
Minimum criteria

*Any disabled applicant meeting the minimum criteria will automatically progress to interview stage, should they enter under the Disability Confident scheme.

Required proven experience in a specific technical area or skill:
Has 5+ years' experience
Substantial experience in working in project/programme environments involving business & IT change.

Research experience within any of the following types of organisations/sectors:
financial services, government/regulatory body, technology, consultancy (ideally IT consultancy).

Essential criteria

Analysis and synthesis. You can help an organisation to adopt a wide range of analysis and synthesis techniques, and to continually assure, improve and innovate their practices to generate clear and valuable findings.
Inclusive research. You can help teams understand the diversity of users of FCA services. You can effectively include all kinds of users in appropriate research activities. You can advocate inclusive practices and help teams design and deliver accessible services that work for all users.
Research. You can help an organisation adopt a wide range of user research methods. You can lead a community of practice to help an organisation continually assure, improve and innovate their user research.
Society and technology. You can help teams understand the ways that digital technology is changing user behaviour, and the challenges and opportunities forthe design and delivery of government services.
Strategic insight. You can understand organisational goals and challenges. You can align research activities across teams to inform policy and proposition.
Technical understanding (user-centred design). You can demonstrate knowledge of the technologies used to build and operate digital services. You can collaborate closely with colleagues in different digital disciplines.
User-centred and Agile practices. You can understand and demonstrate experience in a range of user-centred practices. You can help inexperienced teams adopt user-centred practices and embed them into their Agile workflow. You can advocate user research, and engage sceptical colleagues and stakeholders.

Desirable criteria

Behavioural & technical skills that would be advantageous:
Experience of delivering government digital services in line with GDS standards.
Experience of designing for accessibility
Business acumen in either financial services or financial regulation.

Our Recruitment Delivery Team are committed to offering an inclusive recruitment experience to all candidates. If you require any accommodations or adjustments as a result of disability, impairment, or health condition, please do not hesitate to let me know by emailing