Communications

Location:  Highfield Campus
Salary:   £40,931 to £51,805 Per annum
Full Time Permanent
Closing Date:  Tuesday 24 January 2023
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  2097422CD

The base salary for this role is up to £51,805, any offer made above this will be made up with a market supplement allowance up to £5,000 depending on the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience.

About the role 

This is a hugely exciting opportunity for a Head of User Research who can oversee the user research and testing that underpins our team’s efforts to understand and solve complex problems. 

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

The role is new. 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 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 

This position is being offered on a full-time, permanent basis.

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   

This is an exciting time for the University of Southampton and we would love you to join us! 

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.

How to apply 

• Submit your completed online application form. 
• and a statement of suitability/covering letter (2 pages maximum) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities, and experience relevant for this role.

If you want to talk first, please contact Ayala Gordon, Associate Director - Digital User Experience.

You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Jane Sturgeon (HR Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 4043 or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk  Please quote reference 2097422CD on all correspondence.

We are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and equality of opportunity. We select candidates based on merit and ability and aspire to thrive in the diversity of our workforce.  We welcome applications from all candidates with an interest in the role and those who are committed to helping us create an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, people who identify as LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.