Research Director - Social Surveys

NatCen; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent social research organization is seeking a Research Director to manage complex quantitative research projects. The ideal candidate will have advanced skills in quantitative research methods, excellent project management abilities, and a commitment to delivering high-quality studies on time and within budget. This hybrid role offers a competitive salary, generous benefits, and the chance to contribute to impactful social research.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays

Generous company pension scheme

Life insurance and health cash plan

Cycle to Work scheme

Career development and mentoring support

Qualifications

• Experience of delivering high-quality research studies, ensuring timely delivery.
• Thorough understanding of research, policy, and practice relationship.
• Experience leading proposals for complex survey research projects.

Responsibilities

• Direct research studies including large-scale projects to meet budgets.
• Manage project teams to deliver client-focused research.
• Lead proposals and applications for funding.

Skills

Advanced skills in quantitative research methods

Excellent communication skills

Project management skills

Experience delivering high-quality research studies

Education

Undergraduate degree

Postgraduate degree in social research (desirable)

Job description

Role and Details

Role: Research Director
Location: London (Hybrid Working)
Salary: £45,000-£55,000
Department: Social Surveys - Centre for Social Survey Transformation
Contract: Permanent

This role requires contributing to new business generation, identifying new business opportunities and leading on research proposals, grant applications and costings. Managing and quality‑assuring end‑to‑end delivery of complex quantitative research projects including sampling strategies, questionnaire design, fieldwork design and data delivery and reporting to budget and timetable. Having an advanced knowledge of appropriate research methods and act as an expert reference point for the project team, across NatCen and externally when required. Supporting the leadership of the team with line management responsibility. Playing an active role in the wider life of NatCen, contributing to its success and development and maintaining a visible presence in external networks.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct individual research studies including large-scale projects to time and budget.
• Manage project teams to deliver first-class research to meet client needs.
• Provide advice, guidance and quality assurance for every aspect of the design, implementation, analysis and writing up of a study.
• Lead on proposals and applications for funding.
• Contribute to the development and mentoring of junior staff.
• Engage in impact activities to promote NatCen’s work externally.
• Contribute to teaching research methods internally and/or externally.
• Maintain and promote high ethical and information security standards.
• To perform any other reasonable duties that NatCen may require that are consistent with the broad nature of the job.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential:

• Undergraduate degree.
• Advanced skills in quantitative research methods.
• Experience of delivering high-quality research studies, helping to ensure their delivery to time and budget.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) and the ability to communicate clearly, in different styles and for different audiences.
• Excellent project management (including budget management) and team-working skills.
• Thorough understanding of the relationship between research, policy and practice, and of broader relevant developments in particular policy areas and research methods.
• Experience in leading proposals for complex survey research projects.
• Commitment to continuous improvement.

Desirable:

• Postgraduate degree in social research.
• Experience of developing grant funding applications.

Benefits

As well as a competitive salary, an excellent working environment (including a home/office hybrid working environment), you will be working for the largest independent social research organisation in the UK. We are proud of the benefits we offer our employees which include:

• 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) and flexible working.
• Generous company pension scheme.
• Life insurance and health cash plan.
• Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan.

Career development, professional subscriptions support and mentoring support from industry-leading experts.

We are a Disability Confident employer. If you have a disability and wish to apply for this role, please let us know in the application questions below. This allows us to ensure you are considered for an interview if you meet the minimum criteria for the role. If you have any questions or need adjustments at any stage of our recruitment process, feel free to contact us on [e-mail].

*We reserve the right to close this advert before the closing date due to a high volume of applications so please apply as soon as possible*

About the National Centre for Social Research

At The National Centre for Social Research we believe that social research has the power to make life better. By really understanding the complexity of people’s lives and what they think about the issues that affect them, we give the public a powerful and influential role in shaping services that can make a difference to everyone. And as an independent, not-for-profit organisation we’re able to focus our time and energy on meeting our clients’ needs and delivering social research that works for society.