Head of Research & Editorial Strategy

Firstwork; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Firstwork is seeking a seasoned writer and researcher to lead our research desk and publish flagship reports that shape the future of work. You will set editorial standards across all Firstwork outputs and collaborate with data and engineering teams to craft compelling data stories.

You will also lead policy engagement on European labour and employment regulation, produce the CEO's long-form material, and build partnerships with academics, institutions and industry bodies.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in research, journalism, policy, think tanks or strategy producing original published work.
• Portfolio with at least one piece that changed how someone thought about a subject.
• Quantitative comfort; able to interrogate a dataset and assess its support for a claim.
• Strong interest in labour markets, migration, regulation or economics of work.
• Editorial judgement to commission, edit and improve others' work.
• Experience using AI across the research process to raise verification standards.
• Ability to hold a line on accuracy when there is commercial pressure.

Responsibilities

• Set the research agenda.
• Write and publish flagship reports and white papers.
• Own editorial standards across Firstwork outputs.
• Build data stories with our data and engineering teams.
• Lead policy engagement on European labour and employment regulation.
• Produce the CEO's long-form writing and speaking material.
• Build partnerships with academics, institutions and industry bodies.
• Manage a Content Producer who turns research into video, graphics, podcasts and report design.

Skills

Research experience

Portfolio

Data analysis

Labour markets interest

Editorial judgement

AI in research

Accuracy under pressure

Job description

Firstwork is seeking a seasoned writer and researcher to lead our research desk and publish flagship reports that shape the future of work. You will set editorial standards across all Firstwork outputs and collaborate with data and engineering teams to craft compelling data stories.

You will also lead policy engagement on European labour and employment regulation, produce the CEO's long-form material, and build partnerships with academics, institutions and industry bodies.