Head of Research and Policy

The Sutton Trust; London; Hybrid; GBP 56,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sutton Trust seeks a Head of Research and Policy to lead a team in producing impactful research on educational equity and social mobility. This role involves overseeing research projects, engaging with policy makers, and advocating for the Trust's mission, ensuring findings are communicated effectively.

Benefits

Holiday allowance: 29 days plus bank holidays

Hybrid working

Qualifications

• Experience designing and communicating impactful research.
• Strong understanding of the British education system and public policy.
• Detail-oriented and flexible team player.

Responsibilities

• Leading the Trust's research portfolio and ensuring the quality of outputs.
• Working on policy proposals to advance social mobility agenda.
• Managing two Research and Policy Managers.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Team player

Education

Relevant degree or postgraduate qualification

Tools

R

SPSS

Stata

Python

Job description

Join to apply for the Head of Research and Policy role at The Sutton Trust

Join to apply for the Head of Research and Policy role at The Sutton Trust

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Ellwood Atfield are proud to be partnering with The Sutton Trust, the UK’s leading social mobility charity.

The Sutton Trust believes that every young person should have a fair chance in life, regardless of their family’s income, the school they go to or where they grow up. But today in this country, the opportunity to succeed is heavily shaped by socio-economic background. The charity’s mission is to change this. Sutton Trust programmes empower young people to access life-changing opportunities, and its research influences national change to deliver a fairer future.

The opportunity:

Reporting to the Director of Research and Policy, this key role sits within the trust’s integrated Communications, Research and Policy team. As the Head of Research and Policy the role will oversee a small research team producing original research internally, as well as commissioning work from external researchers and organisations.

The successful applicant will have a deep interest in issues of educational equity, social mobility and increasing opportunity. You will combine a commitment to methodologically robust research with a passion for clear, impactful communication of findings and an eye for practical learnings. You will also be a natural ambassador, able to represent the charity in a range of settings.

Main responsibilities:

Research

• Leading the Trust’s portfolio of research, with the Director of Research and Policy, ensuring a regular and varied programme of policy-relevant research, including responsibility for its quality and accuracy.
• Overseeing colleagues and external organisations responsible for individual reports.
• Ensuring that Sutton Trust reports are accessible to practitioners and policy makers; editing and preparing reports for publication.
• Developing new ideas for research in consultation with the Director, as well as other Sutton Trust colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Authoring one or more original data-rich research reports each year, where appropriate
• Managing the day-to-day work of two Research and Policy Managers, including pastoral support. Management of other team members as appropriate, and recruitment where relevant.
• Working with the Development team to identify possible funders and develop fundraising proposals and secure funding for the team’s work.
• Management of the research budget, ensuring value for money.

Policy and impact

• Working with the Director of Research and Policy and colleagues, as well as external experts, to develop credible recommendations and policy proposals that help advance the Trust’s social mobility agenda.
• Working with Communications and Public Affairs team members to develop messaging and content for disseminating and publicising the Trust’s research findings and policy recommendations.
• Working with the Head of Communications and Public Affairs and other colleagues to support the advocacy work of the Trust, including responding to government consultations.
• Undertaking advocacy work, as required, with MPs’ staff, civil servants, special advisers and other policy makers.
• Representing the Trust externally at events, conferences, and with donors and other supporters, as well as through news media - both broadcast appearances and thought leadership articles.
• Working with colleagues in the Programmes team to ensure exchange of knowledge and expertise across teams

Experience required:

• Proven experience designing, delivering, and communicating impactful original research which is robust and policy-relevant
• Strong analytical skills and understanding of research methods, particularly quantitative research and fluency in tools like R, SPSS, Stata, or Python
• Experience leading, managing or commissioning research delivered by others
• Experience securing funding for research projects
• A relevant degree or postgraduate qualification in a numerate discipline, or equivalent experience, with strong understanding of the British education system, social mobility, and public policy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience communicating research in the media
• Proactive, detail-oriented, flexible team player with strong interpersonal skills
• Salary banding: £56,000-£64,000, dependent on experience
• Hybrid working: 2 days in the office base in Westminster
• DBS check may be required
• Holiday allowance: 29 days plus bank holidays

How to apply:

To apply, please submit the form below and include a copy of your CV.

Ellwood Atfield is the leading headhunters for corporate affairs, communications, policy, and advocacy. An employee-owned boutique search firm, we help you hire the most senior leaders and everyone who reports to them. We promise to connect talented people, smoothly and efficiently.

Our purpose is to create important and enduring relationships. We are an equal opportunities employer and promote diversity across our profession to ensure every individual has the opportunity to perform at their best. If you have not done so already, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research

• Industries

  Non-profit Organizations

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at The Sutton Trust by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Head of Research” roles.

Uxbridge, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago

City Of London, England, United Kingdom £55,000.00-£60,000.00 1 day ago

City Of London, England, United Kingdom £60,000.00-£80,000.00 1 day ago

Ashford, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Vice President, Head of Discovery Biology (London or Boston)

London, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago

London, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago

Head of Market Research & Intelligence (Hybrid OR UK Remote)

London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago

Heads of AI4I-Leonardo Spa Joint R&D Units

Greater London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

Global Competitive Strategic Intelligence Director

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Head of Business Analytics and Insights…

London, England, United Kingdom 7 hours ago

London, England, United Kingdom 19 hours ago

Training Programme Director for Histopathology (North East London)

London, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago

Greater London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

International Senior Market Research Director (healthcare - quant)

London, England, United Kingdom 9 months ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

Director, Product Management – Oil Research and Analytics

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.