Senior Research Manager (Responsive Synthesis)

Education Endowment Foundation; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected educational charity in Central London is seeking a Senior Research Manager to lead evidence synthesis projects that support educational policymaking. The ideal candidate will have direct experience in producing synthesis outputs, a strong interest in education, and excellent communication skills. The position offers a salary of £51,750 per annum, flexible working opportunities, and numerous benefits including a generous holiday package and pension contributions.

Benefits

Salary of £51,750 per annum

Flexible working opportunities

27 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays

6% employer pension contributions

Life insurance cover

Interest-free season ticket loan

Enhanced parental leave pay

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Direct experience producing evidence synthesis outputs aimed at practice or policymaking.
• Demonstrable experience across all stages of a systematic review process.
• Experience working across teams and managing external stakeholders to deliver high-quality outputs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage evidence synthesis projects that support policymaking.
• Drive innovative approaches to responsive evidence synthesis and explore AI-supported practices.
• Line manage Research Managers within the team.

Skills

Experience producing evidence synthesis outputs

Systematic review process expertise

Stakeholder management

Strong communication skills

Interest in education

Job description

Senior Research Manager (Responsive Synthesis)

Central London, SW1P (with hybrid working opportunities)

About Us

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement.

We do this by supporting schools, colleges, and nurseries to improve teaching and learning through better use of evidence. We generate research evidence on effective practice in supporting learning outcomes and narrowing the socioeconomic attainment gap, and we work with education professionals to ensure this evidence is applied to achieve the maximum possible benefit for children and young people.

The EEFs reach and impact has been tremendous : the English education system is now one of the most evidence-informed in the world. Over half of state primary and secondary schools have taken part in an EEF-funded trial, and 70% of all school leaders use the Teaching and Learning Toolkit to inform their decision-making.

We are now looking for a Senior Research Manager to join us on a full‑time, permanent basis.

The Benefits

• Salary of £51,750 per annum
• Flexible working opportunities
• 27 days holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays including 3 which can be taken flexibly)
• 2 festive season closure days
• 6% employer pension contributions, minimum 3% employee contribution
• Life insurance cover
• Interest‑free season ticket loan and cycle scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave pay (conditions apply)
• Confidential Employee Assistance Programme to help you deal with any personal and professional problems

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced research manager with expertise in managing and producing evidence synthesis outputs to join our respected and mission‑driven organisation.

So, if you are ready to play a key role in shaping evidence that improves outcomes for young people, we would love to hear from you.

The Role

As a Senior Research Manager, you will lead and manage responsive evidence synthesis projects that support policymaking, practice, and our strategic priorities.

Specifically, you will drive forward innovative approaches to responsive evidence synthesis, piloting new methods, exploring the potential of AI supported practices, and helping shape mechanisms such as our developing helpdesk function that make high‑quality evidence accessible when policymakers and practitioners need it most.

At the same time, you will embed evidence synthesis practices into wider policy reforms, ensuring that the latest insights are reflected in government‑supported professional development and other national initiatives.

Additionally, you will :

• Line manage Research Managers within the team
• Oversee the annual plan to ensure evidence synthesis outputs keep progressing
• Represent the evidence synthesis team at events
• Identify future innovations that could support our wider evidence synthesis work

About You

To be considered as our Senior Research Manager, you will need :

• Direct experience producing evidence synthesis outputs aimed at practice or policymaking
• Demonstrable experience across all stages of a systematic review process
• Experience working across teams and managing external stakeholders to deliver high‑quality outputs
• A genuine interest in education and commitment to our mission
• Excellent communication skills

All EEF staff are subject to a check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).?The level of check which will apply shall be a Basic level check.?

Applications close : 22nd December 2025 (23 : 59 GMT or BST)

First round interviews : 13th January 2026

Second round interviews : w / c 19th January 2026

Other organisations may call this role Evidence Synthesis Manager, Systematic Review Lead, Education Evidence Manager, Senior Researcher, or Senior Evidence Analyst.

Webrecruit and the Education Endowment Foundation are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

So, if you want to apply your expertise to a Senior Research Manager role that shapes national evidence use, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.