Head of Strategic Developments

The Media Research Group (MRG); Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Media Research Group (MRG) is seeking a Head of Strategic Developments to oversee key operational projects and ensure they align with organizational goals. This role involves liaising between stakeholders and maintaining high standards of service quality and integrity.

The ideal candidate will bring experience in audience measurement and strong leadership skills. MRG fosters an inclusive culture, welcoming a diverse team and supporting hybrid working conditions.

Competitive base salary and annual bonus up to 12.5% are offered.

Qualifications

• Solid experience in audience measurement.
• Strong operational project-leadership skills.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee successful implementation of strategic developments.
• Maintain data quality, integrity, and compliance.
• Promote a culture of learning and agility within the team.

Skills

Audience measurement experience

Operational and strategic project leadership

Stakeholder management skills

Analytical problem-solving capability

Data quality and compliance knowledge

Governance committee leadership

Innovation and continuous improvement

Collaborative leadership

Job description

Barb is the industry ’ s standard for understanding what people watch. Our hybrid approach integrates people-based panel data with census-level online viewing data. Our methodology enables us to deliver inclusive measurement of total identified viewing across all broadcast, VOD and video-sharing platforms, delivered onto and consumed via multiple platforms and devices.

As the past, present and future of total viewing measurement, Barb is uniquely placed to empower transformation of the UK TV and advertising ecosystem, through integrated audience data and actionable insights. These data and insights fulfil three purposes:

• To support decisions that are made in the making and distribution of great programmes.
• To support the planning and buying of ad campaigns and informing on brand and sales outcomes.
• To inform how broadcasters and other media services operate in the public interest

Reporting into the CEO, the Head of Strategic Developments will be responsible for ensuring all key operational and strategic projects are delivered against gold-standard expectations and contractual commitments. They are a key link between BARB’s stakeholders and its research contractors in helping to drive future development whilst also maintaining the quality of the service.

An eye for detail and operational effectiveness is critical, along with excellent organisational skills and an ability to work effectively and collaboratively to deliver key strategic priorities and development projects in a timely and cost-conscious way.

The key responsibilities, include the following.

1. Direct responsibility to oversee the successful implementation on all Barb’s key strategic priority developments, from initiation to final delivery:

• Serve as a key liaison between internal teams, external partners, and industry stakeholders to ensure delivery of projects aligns with strategic goals.
• Chair/ contribute to operational and strategic committees and make sure governance structures operate with transparency, accountability, and timely decision‑making.
• Act as a senior point of contact for complex operational, and project queries and lead problem‑solving and root‑cause analysis activities when operational issues arise.
• Prioritise workload and resource allocation in line with organisational priorities and strategic objectives; communicate project progress, risks, and strategic benefits clearly and confidently at senior levels.

2. Whilst running the key developments to always have in mind how across the Barb service we can strengthen data quality, integrity, and compliance

• Oversee data quality and integrity across all operational systems and research processes that are being implemented as a result of new key service developments.
• Establish and maintain quality‑assurance frameworks to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance across all outputs.
• Ensure all operational and research processes align with relevant regulatory, security, and ethical standards.
• Support the organisation with insights, recommendations, and data‑driven decision‑making to enhance service performance.

3. As new priorities and processes are introduced to keep questioning, instilling a culture of continuous improvement and innovation to support ongoing organisational strategy and future planning

• Identify opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, service quality, and user experience and then lead initiatives to modernise systems and streamline processes as appropriate
• Promote a culture of learning, agility, and data‑driven development so we have high‑performing project teams, embedding a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability.
• Contribute to long‑term organisational strategy by bringing operational insight and project‑led perspectives so we are ready for future changes in processes, industry standards, or organisational direction.

Skills:

• Solid experience in the sphere of audience measurement
• Strong operational and strategic project‑leadership skills.
• Excellent stakeholder and contractor‑management skills.
• Advanced analytical and problem‑solving capability.
• Deep understanding of data quality, integrity and compliance.
• Experience leading governance committees and workstreams.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement and innovation.
• Collaborative, agile leadership aligned with Barb’s values.

Barb’s offices are located in central London, and working from home is supported. Barb is committed to having an inclusive team and welcomes the value of a team that represents the diversity of the UK.

Our team charter is based on our vision to lead the definition and measurement of total viewing.

• As a team we behave in an agile way with a focus on delivering credible, rigorous and timely solutions. We are straightforward, inclusive and collaborative.
• The values that underpin our team are that we are forward‑thinking, trusted, transparent, objective, accountable and approachable.
• We aim to meet our industry ’ s expectations for subject‑matter experts who can actively synthesise the needs of our data users with the capabilities of research agencies and other service‑delivery partners.

Package:

• Base salary: Competitive based on level of experience
• Discretionary annual bonus of up to 12.5% of salary