Director of Research

Royal United Services Institute; London; On-site; GBP 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence and security think tank in London is seeking a Director for Research, responsible for guiding high-quality research and ensuring impactful outcomes. The role involves team management, business development, and strategic direction as part of the senior management team. Applicants should demonstrate intellectual leadership and have a strong background in UK defence policy, alongside skills in fundraising and team collaboration.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Generous pension contributions

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Season ticket loan

Access to events and library resources

Discretionary closure days over Christmas

Enhanced sick pay

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Qualifications

• Proven record in intellect leadership on UK defence policy.
• Experience in fundraising and programme management.
• Ability to communicate complex issues succinctly.

Responsibilities

• Leadership of RUSI's research activity.
• Management of research team directors.
• Oversight of quality control for research publications.

Skills

Intellectual leadership

Fundraising success

Writing and speaking fluently

Team management

Education

Relevant academic qualifications

Job description

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Summary

Reports to: Director-General

Department: Director-General's office

Salary: up to £140,000 p.a. depending on experience and skills

Location: London Office

Contract: Permanent, Full -time, 37.5hrs per week

About RUSI

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is the world's oldest and the UK's leading defence and security think tank. Its mission is to inform, influence and enhance public debate on a safer and more stable world. RUSI is a research-led institute, producing independent, practical, and innovative analysis to address today's complex challenges.

RUSI's research is organised into seven teams: Cyber & Tech, Military Sciences, Centre for Finance & Security, International Security, Proliferation & Nuclear Policy, Organised Crime & Policing, and Terrorism & Conflict. In total, RUSI has some 120 staff, of whom around 80 are in the research teams. While most staff are based in London, RUSI also has researchers based in Brussels and Nairobi. The Institute has an annual gross research income of approximately £15m, generated from a range of governmental sources, companies, and research foundations.

Main purpose of the post

The overarching role of the person appointed will be to provide leadership for RUSI's research. As part of this, the job holder will have five key responsibilities:

• Maintain and deepen the Institute's reputation for high quality and independent research, including through identifying key areas for cutting-edge research and opportunities for potential policy impact.
• Work closely with research team directors on business development and fundraising, including relationship building, proposal development and securing follow-on work.
• Manage the various research team Directors, helping them to deliver on RUSI's objectives and encouraging the development of productive cross-team programmes.
• Oversee the management of the teams responsible for key research support functions, including quality control of RUSI research publications, bids support, and risk management in relation to research funders and travel to high-risk areas.
• Be a full member of the Senior Management Team, deputising for the Director-General when asked to do so, and playing a key role in the development of Institute-wide policy.

The successful candidate will be expected to play a key role in providing intellectual leadership the Institute. There is no single RUSI 'line' on contemporary defence and security issues. Instead, the Director has a key role in ensuring high standards of evidence-based commentary and research on the most important issues of the day. The Director would be expected to make their own contribution to thought leadership, through both oral and written commentary, including in the media. There will be opportunities for the Director to lead their own research, although this is not primarily a research position.

Key Tasks

• Leadership of RUSI's research activity, working closely with the Director-General;
• Management of the research team directors;
• Working with research team directors on business development and fundraising;
• Oversight of quality control for research publications;
• Contribution to the Senior Management Team in providing strategic leadership to the Institute.

The above list of duties is not exhaustive; the post-holder will be required to undertake such duties that may reasonably be expected within the scope and grade of the role.

Person Specification

Essential skills and experience:

• An ability to provide intellectual leadership on UK defence policy, together with a strong commitment to diversity of thought and rigorous evidence-based research;
• Prior experience of fundraising success, programme management and/or budget ownership;
• A demonstrated ability to write and speak fluently, often concisely and to short deadlines, on contemporary defence and security issues;
• Excellent team-working and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to provide inspirational leadership for a highly motivated team of RUSI research staff.

Desirable Criteria

• Relevant professional experience in UK defence and security in government and/or think tanks and/or the private sector;
• An established track record of relevant academic qualifications and publications;
• Pre-existing network of relationships in government, industrial, academic and/or political circles;

Our expectations
We expect all staff to abide by and promote our RUSI's Vision and Values https://rusi.org/content/values and Equal Opportunities Statement

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (rising with service)
• Generous pension contributions at 6% employer contribution,
• Access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Season ticket loan
• Access to free access to RUSI's world leading programme of events and conferences, research materials and library
• Discretionary closure days over Christmas
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders
• *Enhanced sick pay
• *Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

*Depending on length of service

Application Process

We want to hear from all voices and particularly encourage individuals of diverse and marginalised communities to apply. If there is a requirement in the job description which you feel you don't quite meet but are still keen to apply, then please do.

To apply, please click on the apply button and follow the instructions.

• Your CV.
• Cover Letter of no more than 1 page explaining your interest in the role and any significant relevant skills and/or experience.

The closing date for applications is 23:59 BST on 1st August 2025.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the closing date brought forward if needed. Early application is strongly encouraged. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Please DO NOT submit multiple applications for this vacancy. We no longer accept applications to our recruitment or HR mailbox, applications received in our mailbox will not be processed.

Equal Opportunity and Values

At RUSI you will be appreciated and valued. Our stakeholders, transactions, and projects are international and diverse, so we work hard to create inclusive teams that support our efforts and each other. We are committed in promoting equality and diversity in our workforce and make it as diverse as the communities we serve. Our recruitment data helps us monitor the effectiveness of our recruitment practices in order that we can continue to improve on creating a more diverse workforce.

We're aware that the questionnaire may not capture the rich complexities of our backgrounds and identities, so we apologise if these are not best described. Please note that this data will be kept confidential and separated from your job application. If you are uncomfortable sharing, choose "Prefer not to say" or skip the questions entirely.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]