Research Lead - Corporate Performance

Global Canopy; Oxford; On-site; GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization in Oxford is looking for a Research Lead to oversee key projects focused on corporate performance and deforestation. The ideal candidate will manage a small team, ensure the quality and impact of research, and contribute to strategic innovations. A background in forest-risk commodities and experience in team leadership are essential. This full-time role offers a competitive salary and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

36 days holiday

Employer pension contribution of 8%

Healthcare cashback plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Group Life Assurance

Group Income Protection

Discounts on gyms, restaurants, and holidays

Qualifications

• Strong background in research and research methods related to forest-risk commodities.
• Ability to lead, manage, and develop a research team.
• Ability to set realistic goals in planning research.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Corporate Performance research team and ensure data quality.
• Manage researchers to succeed in their projects.
• Stay updated on research methods and best practices.

Skills

Leading a small team

Data literacy and analysis skills

Research methods knowledge

Communication of complex ideas

Education

Background in research related to forest-risk commodities

Tools

Statistical analysis tools

Job description

About Global Canopy

Global Canopy is a data-driven not for profit delivering real transparency and accountability for market impacts on nature and people. Our special focus is on ending deforestation – an essential step in achieving urgent global goals on climate, nature and human rights.

About Corporate Performance

A growing number of companies and financial institutions are seeking to mitigate their impacts on nature. But many have made commitments that are not being met, and others are failing to take any action at all. We hold to account through our Forest 500 project, assessing the policies and performance of influential companies and financial institutions. With our suite of Deforestation-free Finance Guidance and a forthcoming new tool, DEFT Pathway, we provide tools and data for financial institutions and investors to support effective engagement with high-risk companies. We support the finance sector, policy makers and other stakeholders by providing market-leading data on deforestation and ESG metrics through Forest IQ.

Role Overview

This is an exciting and pivotal role for an experienced research and project lead. As Research Lead for the Corporate Performance Programme, you will have oversight of all aspects of research relating to three of Global Canopy’s flagship projects: Forest 500 (including Floresta 250), Forest IQ and DEFT Pathway as well as associated Guidance. You will be part of an effective team in a fast-growing and dynamic non-profit delivering on complex and impactful projects around the world.

You will manage a team of researchers, building on the strong and collaborative atmosphere already in place. You will have a vital role across the organisation with visibility of other research projects too, including how they complement each other and interact, and function working with other experts such as those from communications or Human Rights.

The Research Lead contributes to strategy developments and innovations in our approach and in the data products and tools we provide. You will work with colleagues to help secure funding for the continued impact of our research as the world changes.

You will lead methodology updates in line with the Accountability Framework initiative and in the context of world events relating to forest-risk commodities, and interpret methodologies for annual assessment cycles led by the team.

The impact and audience for this data will be a key focus for you. You will distil the resulting data into findings and insights for content creation and publications and will work with colleagues to ensure the data is well understood by media and assessed entities. By speaking and representing Global Canopy at events you will ensure our methodology and data is shared openly and delivers impact.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Corporate Performance (CP) research team, maintaining accountability for technical quality assurance of our data, process and findings across three of Global Canopy’s flagship projects: Forest 500+ (including Floresta 250), Forest IQ and DEFT Pathway, as well as Deforestation Free-Finance Guidance
• Lead and manage the research team, supporting Research Associates and Researchers to own and succeed in their respective projects and with the workflows they manage
• Build strong teamwork and technical excellence with a focus on impact
• Stay abreast of methodological updates, research methods and best practices across the assessment cycles, based on ongoing NGO alignment and external developments in line with our Theory of Change
• Lead cross-function collaborative team working and communication to ensure a focus on impact in research strategy and delivery, with seamless end-to-end processes up to and including data and content releases
• Strongly contribute to the management and strategy of the CP programme during a pivotal year by driving and developing new innovations
• Contribute to new fundraising proposals that strategically progress research needs and ensure continued funding.
• Deliver commitments to donors and in the CP annual plan related to research and help maintain donor relationships by reporting on Research-led deliverables
• Connect the CP programme with its target audiences and extend impact by engaging with NGOs, working with the Communications team to create public-facing content, and representing Global Canopy externally, particularly on technical elements of the methodology, best practice and findings

To be successful in this role, these are the things that will matter the most:

• Strong background in research and research methods related to forest-risk commodities
• Ability to set realistic goals in planning research and data development, and managing a team to meet agreed timings for public releases
• Ability to lead, manage, and develop a research team
• Ability to identify strategic opportunities and innovations

Essential behavioural competencies:

• Attention to detail and accuracy through data, communications outputs, and engagement
• Ability to problem-solve and identify opportunities for improvement of existing systems
• Ability to think creatively and identify innovative ways to use existing and new data and metrics to reach audiences and deliver impact

Skills and experience:

• Leading a small team
• Strong data literacy and analysis skills, including qualitative data collection and analysis
• Demonstrable experience of applying research methods and practices, including both quantitative and qualitative data and statistical analysis, and programming and/or use of tools related to research techniques
• Ability to communicate complex ideas and methodologies to non-expert audiences

Desirable:

• Specialist technical knowledge on one or more of the following: deforestation, agricultural commodities, ESG, supply chains, sustainability or financial services
• Knowledge/experience working on the human rights and social dimensions of commodity-driven deforestation and environmental degradation
• Experience contributing to programmatic strategy to create impact and develop funding opportunities
• Experience of working across functions
• Experience of how data is delivered to target audiences

Salary: £60k full time equivalent. This role sits within Band C on Global Canopy’s remuneration framework.

Nature of contract: Full-time, fixed-term (24 months), with possibility to extend dependent on funding. We are a flexible employer and welcome candidates wishing to work flexibly.

Base: Our office is in Oxford, with flexible home-working arrangements in place. Ability to attend the office fortnightly at minimum would be desirable.

Holidays: 36 days (including bank/public holidays) for discretionary use across the annual leave year. Option to purchase up to an additional 5 days or equivalent of one week’s leave.

Pension: Employer pension contribution of 8%.

Healthcare cashback plan: Covering dental fees, eye-care, wellbeing, physiotherapy, chiropody and much more – for you and any children.

Group Life Assurance: Paying a lump sum of 3 times annual salary

Group Income Protection: Paying 75% of annual salary for up to 2 years (for long term sickness).

Employee Assistance Programme: Which provides free, confidential advice on personal and legal matters.

Other: Huge range of discounts and cashback deals at gyms, restaurants, holidays, and much more.

How to Apply

To apply for the position, please follow the instructions on the next page and submit an up-to date CV and covering letter.

The covering letter should explain your motivation for the role, and how your skills and experience fit the person specification. (Please no more than 1 side of A4).

The closing date for applications is 8 December 2025 at 9am GMT. Early application encouraged as we will be conducting rolling interviews. We may close applications early if suitable candidates are identified.

First-round interviews calls will be conducted remotely via a video call. Following rounds consist of a take-home technical test and a final interview (in person at our Oxford office where possible; we will reimburse reasonable travel expenses to attend interviews).

The right-to-work in the UK is required for this role.

If you have any questions about the position, then please contact: [e-mail]. Applicant data will be managed in accordance with the candidate privacy policy available on our website.