User Researcher - Lead UX Consultant - MOD SC Required (DV Preferred)

I'm currently looking for an experienced User Researcher / Lead UX Consultant to join a high‑profile Public Sector digital programme. This is a senior, hands‑on role where you'll lead user research, shape design decisions, and work closely with technical teams to deliver accessible, build‑ready solutions.This role suits someone confident operating in secure, regulated environments who enjoys influencing outcomes-not just contributing artefacts.

The basics

* Contract: 6 months (01/06/2026 - 30/11/2026 with extensions expected)
* Rate: £690 per day
* IR35: Inside IR35 (Umbrella only)
* Location: Hybrid - predominantly remote, with travel to London / South ~4-5 times per month
* Clearance: Active MOD SC required (DV preferred)
* Nationality: UK National only

What you'll be doing

In this role, you'll be trusted to lead from the front. You will:

* Plan and deliver user research, including interviews, workshops and usability testing
* Work directly with senior stakeholders and end users to capture and prioritise user needs
* Turn research insight into clear, defensible design decisions
* Create personas, user journeys and experience maps that actively shape delivery
* Design wireframes, interactive prototypes and high‑fidelity mock‑ups in Figma
* Define and maintain design systems using components, variants and design tokens
* Work closely with developers to ensure designs align with React (TypeScript) components
* Document research findings, design decisions and UX guidance in Confluence
* Champion inclusive design and WCAG accessibility compliance throughout delivery
* Design with performance in mind, understanding Core Web Vitals

This is not a purely research‑only role and not a junior UX position-you'll be expected to own the UX end‑to‑end.What I'm looking for in you. You'll bring a strong mix of research leadership, hands‑on design ability, and stakeholder credibility. Specifically, you will have:

* Extensive experience delivering user research and UX design on complex products or services
* Strong, demonstrable expertise in Figma, including components, variants, tokens and prototyping
* Experience engaging confidently with senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams
* A practical understanding of React (TypeScript) and responsive design principles
* Solid knowledge of WCAG accessibility standards and inclusive design
* Experience working with Jira, Confluence and Slack
* Awareness of Cypress (end‑to‑end testing) and k6 (performance testing)
* Experience working in public sector, government, defence or other regulated environments

Just as importantly, you'll be comfortable working in a structured Public Sector environment where documentation, assurance and security matter.

Clearance & eligibility (essential)To be considered, you must:

* Hold active MOD SC clearance (DV highly desirable)
* Be a UK National
* Be available for an inside‑IR35 contract via umbrella
* Be able to travel to London / South sites as required

Important - CV guidance

To ensure your application is flagged as relevant, please make sure your CV explicitly references the required skills listed above (for example: Figma, user research methods, accessibility, React collaboration and Public Sector experience where applicable).

CVs that do not clearly evidence the essential skills and clearance requirements are unlikely to be shortlisted.If this sounds like the kind of work you enjoy-leading UX in a genuinely impactful, secure environment-I'd welcome an application or a conversation.

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