Associate, Market Research

Ofcom; Manchester; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Ofcom is seeking a Market Research Associate to join the Research and Intelligence team. The role focuses on online sector research with opportunities across broadcasting, telecoms and postal services.

You will manage research projects from start to finish, collaborate with external suppliers, and translate findings into policy-ready insights. We welcome applicants from various backgrounds with a degree or apprenticeship in market research.

Qualifications

• Data analysis skills to identify key points and provide evidence-based insights.
• Experience across quantitative and qualitative market research projects using varied methodologies.
• Ability to plan, manage, and deliver tracking and ad-hoc studies to high standards.
• Strong communication of results to diverse audiences with clear charts and write-ups.

Responsibilities

• Manage quantitative and qualitative market research projects for Ofcom across regulated markets.
• Assess policy colleagues' research needs and develop timely, cost-effective briefs.
• Commission and manage external agencies, ensuring performance, timeliness and output quality.
• Interpret findings to inform regulatory policy with a sound evidence base.
• Present results clearly to internal stakeholders and integrate insights into policy discussions.
• Work with market research datasets to identify trends and insights for impact.
• Produce high-quality charts, interactive data, and reports suitable for external publication.
• Stay up-to-date with external research and new methodologies including AI applications.

Skills

Data analysis

Building solutions

Executing plans

Articulating ideas

Forming relationships

Innovative mindset

Market research

Education

Degree or apprenticeship in market research

Tools

SPSS

Askia

PowerBI

Job description

About Ofcom

As the UK’s communications regulator, we’re delivering vital work to make communications work for everyone.

Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to online safety, TV and radio, the postal service, and wireless devices. We need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences to help us achieve our ambitions on behalf of the British public.

About the Team

The Research and Intelligence (R&I) team is part of Strategy and Research group and is essential to Ofcom’s role as an evidence‑based regulator. The Market Research team’s role in the Research & Intelligence team is to help ensure the decisions that Ofcom makes are based on evidence about consumer, citizen and audience behaviour. We do this by working with external, independent market research agencies, who conduct research on our behalf to provide the evidence we need to monitor outcomes in the communications market and to address policy questions. Colleagues in our team work closely with other teams across Ofcom, often as part of multi-disciplinary project teams that draw expertise from across Ofcom’s departments.

Purpose of the Role

We are seeking a Market Research Associate to join our team. The role will be working primarily on research within the online sector, although there may be opportunities to work across broadcasting, telecoms and post sectors.

Associates are responsible for market research projects from start to finish. The successful candidate will work closely with other teams in Ofcom to define research objectives, select the best supplier to deliver the work and then collaborate with the chosen supplier to design, execute and report on the research findings.

We expect these research projects to be innovative, employing cutting-edge methodologies and analysis techniques. The post holder will have key working relationships with our external supplier(s) and with the Making Sense of Media and Online Safety policy teams.

Your key responsibilities

The successful candidate will take ownership of their work, demonstrate leadership, and contribute to various projects within the Research and Intelligence team:

• Manage quantitative and qualitative market research projects for Ofcom across the markets Ofcom regulates;
• Help to assess the research requirements of colleagues in our policy teams, demonstrating awareness and understanding of the policy context and of Ofcom’s overall mission, to develop appropriate research briefs which fulfil the requirements in a timely and cost-effective fashion;
• Commission and manage market research agencies and consultants, assuming responsibility for their performance, timeliness and quality of output;
• Evaluate and interpret market research findings to generate insight that enables Ofcom to develop regulatory policy from a sound evidence base;
• Communicate research results/insights to colleagues, and help to ensure research evidence is effectively integrated into policy decision making;
• Work directly with market research datasets and data tables to identify trends and insights, ensuring our research delivers value and impact.
• Produce high quality charts, interactive data and written research reports suitable for external publication.
• Stay up-to-date with external research and insight from industry / academic sources;
• Stay up-to-date with industry best-practice and new market research methodologies, including the application of Artificial Intelligence to research processes

The skills, knowledge and experience you’ll need for success.

We welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds, including those with relevant experience, a degree or an apprenticeship in a field related to market research.

Essential skills:

• Data analysis: Excellent attention to detail and analytical skills. Ability to quality assure and interpret data to identify key points and provide evidence-based insights.
• Building solutions: A good understanding and experience of working on a broad range of quantitative and qualitative market research projects, using a wide range of methodologies.
• Executing plans: Experience of project managing and delivering tracking and ad-hoc market research projects to high standards that can withstand scrutiny. Ability to plan, prioritise and manage competing deadlines, delivering work in line with Ofcom’s research and policy priorities.
• Articulating ideas: Ability to present data in a concise, clear and easily accessible way to internal and external audiences of differing levels of seniority, using a variety of techniques including charts, well-written text and oral presentations.
• Forming relationships: Ability to build and maintain trusted business relationships with teams across Ofcom, as well as strong relationship management skills with market research suppliers, holding them to account and working collaboratively to deliver high quality research projects.
• Innovative mindset: Experience of, or appetite for, embracing new or novel ways of designing, gathering and communicating market research insight both internally and externally.
• Experience in Market research.
• Experience of conducting market research or analysis, with the ability to contribute effectively to research projects.
• Experience gained in a market research agency, client-side role, or other relevant applied research setting.
• Ability to use market research data analysis tools (eg SPSS, Askia, PowerBI).

Inclusive hiring at Ofcom

At Ofcom, our mission is clear: to make communications work for everyone. To achieve that, our people must reflect the diversity of the UK, in background, identity and experience.

We believe innovation thrives when difference is valued and everyone feels empowered to contribute their ideas and perspectives. That’s why we welcome colleagues of all ethnicities and races, sexes, genders and gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, faiths and beliefs, and those with apparent and non-apparent disabilities. We value socio-economic diversity, life experience and neurodiversity too. Whether you’re a carer, a parent, a veteran, or re-entering work after time away, your voice and perspective matter here.

Flexibility is at the heart of how we work because we want you to thrive in a way that suits you best. Most roles can therefore be adapted for part-time hours, job shares, or other flexible arrangements. Learn more about our Rewards, Benefits and Wellbeing on our careers page.

Our recruitment process is intentionally designed to be open and accessible. If you need adjustments, information in a different format or an alternative way to apply, contact us at [e-mail] or 0330 912 1378.

As a proud Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role. You can read more about this commitment here.

Whoever you are, whatever your story, you belong at Ofcom.