Research Manager - Northern Ireland

Ipsos; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Ipsos is seeking a Research Manager in Belfast to manage quantitative research projects for government and private clients. This role involves client management, project oversight, and methodological development in a hybrid working environment. The ideal candidate will have strong quantitative skills and a passion for research.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Private healthcare

Flexible benefits

Qualifications

• Experience managing quantitative projects end-to-end.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data.

Responsibilities

• Manage client accounts and oversee full project cycle.
• Coordinate winning proposals and manage project finances.
• Support junior team members and develop methodologies.

Skills

Quantitative Research

Project Management

Analytical Skills

Communication

Job description

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Job Description

Role Overview

The Ipsos Northern Ireland team sits within the Ipsos Public Affairs service line. It is one of the most innovative and fast-moving professional services operations within Northern Ireland. The team carries out the full range of quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method research studies and evaluations.

Our work has a direct bearing on the decisions made by government, organisations and citizens. The team works with prestigious clients such as financial services organisations, government departments, universities, and other NI public and voluntary sector organisations. We respond to the needs of government, helping to design, deliver and evaluate policies across a wide range of areas, such as Energy, Education, Early Years and Housing.

We are looking for a Research Manager, a research specialist who brings quantitative and or mixed-methods research experience. The successful applicant will be able to manage quantitative research projects end-to-end through the full project cycle, and build on the insights from these to advise our clients.

Based in Belfast, this is an exciting opportunity for an experienced researcher or consultant to manage high-profile studies for a range of government and other private, public and third sector clients in Scotland. You will be a crucial part of the team, ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality research projects. You will have the opportunity to work across our projects and business development activities.

What will I be doing..?

The main responsibilities will include:

• Client management: You will be the vital link between clients and our internal teams, ensuring projects are executed seamlessly. You'll manage a portfolio of our client accounts, overseeing the full project cycle, from design, to data collection and analysis, through to developing high-quality deliverables, conclusions and recommendations;
• Project management: Managing multiple projects simultaneously, building project plans and ensuring projects are delivered to budget and timescale through efficient working practices;
• Proposal writing, costing and business development: Coordinating and contributing to winning proposals, including developing costs.
• Financial management: Managing the financial health of your projects, developing accurate budgets, tracking expenses, and ensuring profitability.
• Communicating effectively with clients, project partners, internal and external suppliers, and internal colleagues both in writing and verbally.
• Supporting more junior team members to develop their skills.
• Undertaking day to day management of projects including questionnaire design, liaising with Operations colleagues to monitor fieldwork, quantitative or qualitative analysis, reporting and presenting.
• Methodological development: Expanding your methodological knowledge through the delivery of mixed-method projects, and proposing innovative/ alternative methodologies for our clients.
• Seeking opportunities to grow our business by taking a proactive approach to developing knowledge of our clients' needs.
• Contributing to our positive, supportive team environment where people are encouraged to challenge themselves to develop their skills.

Ipsos UK offers a hybrid working environment, 3 days in the office and working the rest from home.

What do I need to bring with me?

This role will suit candidates who enjoy working closely with clients, often delivering at a fast pace. We welcome interest from people with skills in either quantitative or both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Any evaluation experience would be helpful but not essential.

We are looking for someone with:

• Strong quantitative research skills and experience of managing quantitative projects - end to end, from inception writing proposals, research design, project management and delivery to final output.
• A desire to work closely with both private and public sector clients to maintain and grow our contracts.
• Excellent organisation, attention to detail and research skills, able to manage multiple projects from proposal to delivery and manage project finances.
• Proven ability to work well in teams and work across multiple projects, prioritising tasks efficiently
• Ability to work to tight deadlines to deliver high quality and profitable work and have a desire to innovate and learn.
• Well-developed analytical skills and the ability to understand and interpret complex data.
• Ability to draw out a clear narrative and insight to inform policies and clients' decision-making.
• Confident and clear written and verbal communication skills, including experience of preparing presentations and reports with a high level and accurate use of English.
• Desirable: knowledge and expertise in relevant areas (e.g. society and politics, business and financial services, energy and environment, education and early years) - but note that methods and analytical skills are more important than policy knowledge.

What is in it for me?

Ipsos UK offer an attractive basic salary and a rewards package including 25 days annual leave, a pension scheme and a great range of flexible benefits to suit your personal needs. For roles at Research Manager level and above we also offer private healthcare.

In addition to this we have a fantastic Learning & Development offer delivered through a mix of face to face, online or on-demand; you can read more by clicking here.

We realise you may have commitments outside of work and will consider flexible working applications - please highlight what you are looking for when you make your application.

Ipsos is committed to equality, treating people fairly, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment and ensuring we have diversity of people and views. We also recognise that this is important for our business success - a more diverse workforce will enable us to better reflect and understand the world we research and ultimately deliver better research and insight to our clients.

About Us

Ipsos is one of the world's largest research companies and currently the only one primarily managed by researchers, ranking as a #1 full-service research organization for four consecutive years. With over 75 different data-driven solutions, and presence in 90 markets, Ipsos brings together research, implementation, methodological, and subject-matter experts from around the world, combining thematic and technical experts to deliver top-quality research and insights. Simply speaking, we help the biggest companies solve some of their biggest problems, serving more than 5000 clients across the globe by providing research, data, and insights on their target markets. And we're proud to share we've received our Great Place to Work Certification in 2022 & 2023!

About the Team

The Public Affairs Service Line is the world leader in Social and Opinion Research. We work with clients on political and public opinion polling, citizen and stakeholder management, social policy improvement, sustainable development strategy and identifying societal trends and perceptions across several sectors. We assess how government and public affairs policies as well as societal trends and views impact our client's brand/products/markets.