Research Director - Qual led – Communications in Corporate, Public and Social Affairs

Spalding Goobey Associates; London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading strategic advisory firm in London seeks a Research Director with expertise in mixed methods communications research. This role involves shaping narratives, managing client relationships, and overseeing project delivery, with a focus on delivering value through insight-led strategies. Ideal candidates will have experience in the public sector and be skilled at engaging hard-to-reach audiences.

Qualifications

• Experience in mixed methods communications research.
• Ability to manage financial performance of projects.
• Expertise in qualitative and quantitative techniques.

Responsibilities

• Shape narrative and implications for clients.
• Lead proposal writing and project delivery.
• Oversee team development and targets.

Skills

Mixed methods communications research

Project delivery

Proposal writing

Network building

Job description

Research Director - Qual led – Communications in Corporate, Public and Social Affairs

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Location: Central London
Salary: £65,000 to 90,000 + Benefits
Job type: Permanent
Reference: AG133

Our client is a fast-growing, insight-led strategic advisory firm dedicated to putting public and stakeholder opinion at the heart of their clients' thinking. Their research methodologies span all qualitative and quantitative techniques (qual led), and they serve a diverse client base across the private, public, and third sectors.

With a pre-eminent, hands-on senior team with expertise across strategic communications, political research, brand development, and consumer engagement, they have led the way in consultation-type research. Their continued success has led them to seek researchers across all levels of the business.

We are particularly interested in research directors with mixed methods communications research experience, including upstream research to inform communications, creative development and testing research, and campaign evaluation. Experience in the public sector or communicating on sensitive or challenging issues with hard-to-reach audiences, such as vulnerable or low-incidence groups, is a plus.

As a Research Director, you will be responsible for shaping the narrative and implications for clients. You will build networks and relationships, whether through sector specialization, personal profile, or existing client relationships. You will lead proposal writing and hold ultimate responsibility for project delivery. RDs are the trusted point of contact for senior clients, highly visible on projects, engaged in design, fieldwork, and analysis, ensuring projects are profitable and deliver value.

Internally, RDs collaborate to manage the company’s teams. They oversee the development targets of team members and support their achievement. Commercially, RDs are responsible for the financial performance of their team, managing client P&L for their projects and driving growth to meet revenue targets. RDs typically line manage ADs and RLs in their teams.