At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative qualitative research and analysis to understand human behaviour.
- Company: Join Canvas8, a dynamic insights practice with a global presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, and well-being support.
- Other info: Be part of a friendly team that values curiosity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on brands like Nike and Google through groundbreaking research.
- Qualifications: 7-9 years in qualitative research with strong leadership and storytelling skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you fascinated by human culture and behaviour? Are you passionate about new ways to understand people? Do you know your ethnography from your digital anthropology? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you at Canvas8. This is an opportunity to join a dynamic, close-knit team focused on revealing the ‘why’ behind consumer behaviour. You’ll play a pivotal role in revolutionising qualitative research, championing innovation, and building a thriving global division within Canvas8. With a brilliant team around you, your efforts will be instrumental in helping inspire the world’s best brands, agencies, and organisations, including Nike, Google, Lego, Mindshare, and Universal Music.
About us
We are Canvas8, a strategic insights practice operating out of London, New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, and Manilla. We help our clients understand people so they can make better business decisions. Our work investigates the hidden insights in everyday life – from the psychology of boredom to teenage make-up rituals to why Barbiecore is a Gen Y thing – and makes them meaningful for brands. Our team is a blend of disciplines and skills – from psychology to journalism, anthropology to behavioural economics. What unites them is a desire to understand people and a passion for delivering outstanding work.
About the role
We’re seeking an exceptional Associate Director with at least seven years of experience to lead our Social Science division. You will be responsible for pioneering and leading innovative research and analysis across consultancy projects and through Canvas8 Membership. Whether that’s ethnography, discussion groups, digital diaries, in-depth interviews, or a new exciting methodology we’re experimenting with, you’ll be at the forefront of driving qualitative excellence across the business. Your influence extends beyond research design, guiding diverse international fieldwork across multiple projects. From inception to deliverable, you excel in crafting dynamic project deliverables that inspire and motivate clients. Your oversight includes innovation, training, execution, quality control measures across the discipline, profitability, and timings, and fostering strong client relationships. You are essentially our ‘go-to’ for all things social science.
The day-to-day
- Oversee all qualitative work
- Design and implement innovative methodologies
- Develop and train best practices for qualitative research
- Create powerful stories about human behaviour and culture
- Enhance the Social Science department’s profile
- Develop thought leadership around Social Sciences
- Create new Social Science Membership solutions (subcultures, vox-pops)
- Build and optimise supplier relationships and tools
- Support on relevant pitches and project design
- Report at Senior Analyst team meetings, handling budgets and reporting
About you
This hybrid role requires a broad range of skills beyond traditional research. As well as being highly competent with qualitative research, you’ll need to be a strong writer, communicator, organiser and lateral thinker – but above all, you will be relentlessly curious about what people think, how they feel and why they do what they do. Your leadership qualities shine through your extensive experience in qualitative research methods, where you’ve led countless qualitative studies end-to-end but also mastered the art of storytelling from research findings. Your collaborative spirit is evident in your ability to work seamlessly with partners inside and outside the practice, ensuring a team-wide approach to project execution. A proven track record in research design showcases your creative problem-solving skills. Your knack for developing innovative solutions to client challenges and consistently winning proposals underscores your strategic mindset and ability to see the bigger purpose of your work. Your exceptional people skills, cultural sensitivity, and clarity of thought contribute to a positive work environment. As Canvas8 establishes and grows this department, your proactive and self-motivated nature will be pivotal in shaping its success.
Requirements
- 7-9 years of experience in qualitative research and analysis
- Proven track record leading innovative mixed-method qual research
- Proven commercial consulting experience
- Excellent budget, time and project management skills
- Previous managerial and leadership experience
- Proficient in supporting pitches, project design
- Exceptional writing, storytelling and communication skills
- Knowledge of brand, product design, innovation, UX and comms
- Curious, collaborative, and tenacious
- Excellent decision-making skills
- Adept at resolving challenges and being quick at finding smart solutions
Benefits
- Hybrid working with flexible start times
- 29 days paid holiday (including bank hols)
- Interest-free ‘Life Unlock Loan’ for lump sum payments (rental deposits, sponsorship etc)
- A personalised career development plan
- Access to physical and mental well-being support, including two ‘Mental Wealth’ days
- Pension, life insurance, cashback private health plan, and cycle scheme
- Summer Fridays, seasonal benefits, and lots of staff socials
- A friendly and welcoming team (pooches included)
Associate Director of Social Science in London employer: Canvas8
Canvas8 is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture in the heart of London. With a focus on employee growth, we offer personalised career development plans, flexible working arrangements, and a range of benefits including generous holiday allowances and wellbeing support. Join our passionate team where your strategic insights can make a meaningful impact on world-class brands while enjoying a supportive environment that values diversity and creativity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director of Social Science in London
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Canvas8.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Canvas8!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Canvas8, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Canvas8 or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director of Social Science in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Canvas8:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Canvas8! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Canvas8
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
