Social value & Impact Research Lead

Impact Advantage; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company is seeking an Impact Research Lead to develop impact valuation models aligned with global standards. This autonomous role involves engaging with clients, delivering impactful models, and contributing to academic publications. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in economic modelling, advanced Excel proficiency, and strong communication skills. Join a dynamic team committed to redefining impact assessment globally.

Benefits

Fully remote role with flexibility

Health care

Pension

28 days leave, including bank holiday

Structured and individually tailored development

Four weeks of workcation each year

Qualifications

• Proven experience in conducting impact assessments.
• Experience in economic modelling or social cost-benefit analysis is essential.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with confidence in client-facing engagements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of robust, evidence-based impact valuation models.
• Conduct scoping workshops, lead methodology discussions, engage with clients.
• Produce white papers and contribute to academic peer-reviewed publications.

Skills

Impact assessments

Economic modelling

Advanced Excel

Client engagement

Tech-savviness

Communication skills

Data visualization

Education

Master’s degree in Environmental Science

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Python

SQL

Job description

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Location: UK (preferably London or nearby)

Type: Full-time

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and intellectually rigorous Impact Research Lead to join our Research team. This role is central to developing impact valuation models aligned with global standards including SROI, GIIN IRIS+, the Capitals Coalition, IFVI, and the Value Balancing Alliance. You will play a key role in shaping how impact is quantified and delivered through our digital platform, with a strong emphasis on practical application and real-world insight.

Role Mission – A largely autonomous role who will effectively design, build and deliver the impact valuation models required for our client work.The post holder will be able to make informed judgements about the right inputs, as well as being able to deliver the models in a digital format.The post holder will also play a vital role in educating and partnering with our clients to ensure the maximum value of the model is realised.

Key role measures:

Probation (three months)

·Design, build and deliver three impact valuation models which meet our quality requirements with minimal oversight and instruction

·Start interaction with clients to ensure correct inputs and use of models.

End of Year 1

·Have designed 10-12 impact valuation models which meet our quality requirements with minimal oversight and instruction

·Will be working directly with a number of clients in a consulting type role to ensure maximum value from their models

·Have designed a programme of maintenance for keeping existing models effective

Key Responsibilities

·Lead the development of robust, evidence-based impact valuation models across environmental, social, and economic domains.

·Align models with recognised global frameworks and standards.

·Conduct scoping workshops, lead methodology discussions, and engage directly with clients to tailor impact modelling approaches.

·Produce white papers and contribute to academic peer-reviewed publications.

·Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Data, and Customer teams to ensure model delivery is fit-for-purpose and scalable.

·Participate in industry forums and stay current with developments in impact measurement and ESG regulation.

Required Experience & Skills

• Proven experience in conducting impact assessments or implementing M&E frameworks.
• Experience in economic modelling or social cost-benefit analysis is essential.
• Proficiency in Advanced Excel, including VBA or similar tools.
• Ability to design models for digital platform delivery using global datasets and technologies.
• Tech-savvy mindset with exposure to GenAI tools or prompt engineering.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with confidence in client-facing engagements.
• Self-managed and accountable, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth start-up environment.
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, or any data visualisation tools.
• Experience working with open-source data or impact standards.
• Familiarity with SaaS platforms and digital product development.

Education

• Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Social Studies, Economics, or related discipline.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, or other quantitative fields.

-Action orientation – this is a role which will be self-driven with minimal guidance.The successful candidate will need to show experience of self-management

-Manages ambiguity – we are at the front of something here, the successful candidate must be able to show that they love ambiguity and can take s structured and reasoned approach to determining the right next step

-Communicates effectively – from being clear with team members in what they need and what they are doing, to working effectively with clients to educate them, communication will be key

-Manages complexity – what we are doing is complex, you need to be able to show that you are intellectually robust enough to synthesise multiple competing factors and find the right way through without getting overwhelmed on the way

-Decision quality – a lot of this role is about making the right decisions, with limited information.

-Economic Acumen – this is at the heart of what we do – you must be comfortable with economics and other quantitative factors, and be able to explain them as required to others who are less comfortable

-Nimble learner – you must always be looking for, and embracing, ways to do things better and quicker.

-Drives results – ultimately you have to deliver, on schedule, and be accountable for doing this.No one should be chasing you – your team, our clients, industry peers.

Interview Process

• Initial Screening (1 hour)
• Two Case Study Rounds
• Final Leadership Interview

A little about us

Impact Advantage is a technology company revolutionising how companies account for their value. We help organisations understand their operations and business' impact on their four capitals: economic, employee, environmental, and social.

Our impact measurement platform enables customers to understand their organisation's actual value. We all think of value in terms of just financials, but an organisation's real value includes all of its most important resources and assets. Intelligent organisations invest in their people, the environment, and society, but few measure this value meaningfully and use it as a lever for growth and competitive advantage.

Legislation (CSRD, Social Value Act) is changing how governments and consumers procure products and services, meaning the organisations supplying these services have to consider how to measure their impact on people, the planet, and the places they operate.

The UK is leading the way in public sector procurement, embedding social impact into the £379B of spending each year, and there is an exciting opportunity to work with them to help money flow into making fundamental changes in well-being across society.

Using technology and artificial intelligence, we are changing how fundamental organisations account for their impact to make measuring easier and faster while being more accurate and reliable.

At Impact Advantage, we combine purpose and profit. We believe that when a company's impact is entwined with its commercial success, money flows towards creating a better world for people and theplanet.

We are an early-stage, well-funded business. We are building an exciting future with excellent early traction in the market and are looking for exceptional talent to join our team and become part of our DNA.

The Perks

·Fully remote role with flexibility with some travel to customer sites as needed. (London team meet-ups as needed).

·A chance to shape the future of a fast-growing impact-driven company.

·Meaningful work – you’ll help organisations make the world a better place.

·Competitive salary

·A supportive, ambitious team that values outcomes over busywork.

·Health care

·Pension

·28 days leave, including bank holiday.

·Four weeks of workcation each year

• ·Structured and individually tailored development

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Technology, Information and Internet

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