Executive Director of Evidence

Prospectus | B Corp; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Foundations is the national What Works Centre for Children & Families, established in 2022, seeking an Executive Director of Evidence to lead the Evidence team and oversee research, evaluation and evidence synthesis. You will translate findings into practical tools and policy advice to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will shape strategy, build partnerships across government, academia and local authorities, and explore how emerging

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in shaping organisational strategy and growing teams.
• Strong background in research methods, evaluation and evidence synthesis.
• Ability to influence policy and practice across children’s services.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Evidence portfolio: research, evaluation and evidence synthesis.
• Lead a high-performing Evidence team with a focus on quality and impact.
• Build influential relationships with government, academia and local authorities to inform policy.
• Ensure responsible use of emerging technologies, including AI, to strengthen evidence generation.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Research & evaluation

Policy influence

Stakeholder management

Governance & accountability

Education

Postgraduate qualification in social policy / public health / developmental psychology

Job description

Executive Director of Evidence

Salary: £105,575 per annum

Location: London (Hybrid)

Turning evidence into better outcomes for children and families

Foundations is the national What Works Centre for Children & Families, established in 2022 with a clear ambition: to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families through evidence that strengthens services and support.

Working at the intersection of research, policy and practice, Foundations generates and synthesises evidence, translates findings into practical tools and works with partners across government, academia and local authorities to ensure research informs better decisions for children and families.

Having established a strong platform for growth, Foundations is now looking for an Executive Director of Evidence to help shape its next chapter.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will join the Strategic Leadership Team, helping shape organisational strategy and direction while leading the Evidence team. You will oversee a portfolio of research, evaluation and evidence synthesis, ensuring the highest standards of quality, rigour and impact.

You will also build influential relationships across government, academia and the wider sector, helping to shape national policy, address critical evidence gaps and ensure research translates into meaningful improvements in practice. With scope to influence the organisation’s future direction, you will also explore how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, can strengthen research and evidence generation responsibly.

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Strategic leadership experience, with a track record of shaping organisational strategy, leading teams and contributing to performance and long-term sustainability.
• Strong research and evaluation expertise, with a background in a relevant field and a thorough understanding of research methodologies, evaluation and evidence synthesis.
• The ability to influence policy and practice, ensuring research informs decision-making and drives meaningful change across children’s services.
• Excellent stakeholder and partnership skills, with experience engaging Boards or Trustees, influencing senior stakeholders and securing significant funding or partnerships.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with a commitment to high research standards, good governance, financial stewardship and equitable outcomes for children and families.

A relevant postgraduate qualification, such as in social policy, developmental psychology or public health, is desirable, although equivalent experience will also be considered.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape a growing national organisation, influence the future of children’s services and ensure that robust evidence leads to better outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

Recruitment Timetable

Closing Deadline: Sunday 15th November

Prospectus Interviews: 20th November – 25th November

Interviews with Foundations: w/c 30th November & w/c 7th December