Research Manager

Noel Recruitment Incorporated Ltd.; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent position

Hybrid working arrangements

Public sector salary package

Job summary

Noel Recruitment Incorporated Ltd. is seeking an experienced Research Manager (Grade 7) to lead a busy research and policy team in Ireland.

You will oversee a mixed portfolio of quantitative and qualitative projects and drive data-informed decision making across a large public sector organisation. The role demands strong leadership, advanced research skills and the ability to translate complex datasets into actionable insights for senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• NFQ Level 9 qualification (or higher) in a relevant discipline such as Social Science, Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, Geography, Research Methods, Data Analytics, Political Science, Business or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in policy research, policy analysis, economics, statistics, data analytics or related discipline.
• Experience managing complex research or policy projects from planning through delivery.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills.
• Experience producing reports, briefings and recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Experience working with policy, performance or administrative data.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver a programme of policy, research, evaluation and data analysis projects.
• Manage research projects from inception through to dissemination of findings.
• Produce high-quality research reports, briefing papers, presentations and policy recommendations.
• Analyse complex datasets and translate findings into clear, actionable insights.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders including government bodies, public sector organisations, academic institutions and sector representatives.
• Support the development of data products, dashboards and performance reporting frameworks.
• Manage commissioned research projects, procurement processes and external research providers.
• Present research findings to senior management, committees and stakeholder groups.
• Supervise and support research staff, students and project teams.
• Ensure effective governance, quality assurance and project management processes are maintained.

Skills

Analytical and problem-solving

Stakeholder engagement

Report writing and presentations

Leadership and people management

Project and time management

Education

NFQ Level 9 or higher in a relevant discipline

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

SPSS

Word and PowerPoint

Job description

Our client, a leading public sector organisation, is seeking an experienced Research Manager (Grade 7) to join their growing research and policy team. This is an exciting opportunity to lead high-impact research programmes that inform policy development, drive service improvement, and support evidence-based decision-making across a large and complex organisation.

The successful candidate will manage a diverse portfolio of quantitative and qualitative research projects, oversee data-driven initiatives, engage with senior stakeholders, and contribute to the strategic development of services and policy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver a programme of policy, research, evaluation and data analysis projects.
• Manage research projects from inception through to dissemination of findings.
• Produce high-quality research reports, briefing papers, presentations and policy recommendations.
• Analyse complex datasets and translate findings into clear, actionable insights.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders including government bodies, public sector organisations, academic institutions and sector representatives.
• Support the development of data products, dashboards and performance reporting frameworks.
• Manage commissioned research projects, procurement processes and external research providers.
• Present research findings to senior management, committees and stakeholder groups.
• Supervise and support research staff, students and project teams.
• Ensure effective governance, quality assurance and project management processes are maintained.

Requirements

Essential

• NFQ Level 9 qualification (or higher) in a relevant discipline such as:
  • Social Science
  • Public Policy
  • Economics
  • Statistics
  • Geography
  • Research Methods
  • Data Analytics
  • Political Science
  • Business
  • Or a related field
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in policy research, policy analysis, economics, statistics, data analytics, or a related discipline.
• Experience managing complex research or policy projects from planning through delivery.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills.
• Experience producing reports, briefings and recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Experience working with policy, performance or administrative data.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Strong communication, organisational and project management abilities.
• Experience managing or supervising staff, contractors or multidisciplinary teams.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Desirable

• Experience within local government, public sector or policy-focused organisations.
• Knowledge of the Irish public sector and policy environment.
• Experience with programme evaluation, benchmarking or performance measurement.
• Experience managing externally commissioned research.
• Experience working with large and complex datasets.
• Knowledge of Power BI, Tableau, SPSS or similar analytical tools.
• Experience supporting committees, advisory groups or working groups.
• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent report writing and presentation abilities.
• Strong leadership and people management experience.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to deadlines.
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills.
• A collaborative and proactive approach to stakeholder engagement.
• A commitment to innovation, continuous improvement and evidence-based practice.

Benefits

• Permanent position
• Competitive public sector salary package
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Opportunity to influence policy and strategic decision-making
• Professional development and career progression opportunities
• Collaborative and purpose-driven working environment