Research, Evaluation and Impact (REI) Director

Research, Evaluation and Impact (REI) Director

• Research, Evaluation and Impact (REI) Director

About The Role

Job Description

Job Title: Research, Evaluation & Impact(REI) Director

Department: Etio – National Centre for ArtsEducation

Hours: 0.5 FTE - 18.75 hours per week(Flexible)

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: UK, England - Remote (Must havethe right to work in the UK without restrictions)

Travel Requirements: 40% travel within the UK may berequested

Overview of the Role

The Research, Evaluation &Impact (REI) Director is a senior leadership role within the NationalCentre for Arts Education (NCfAE), a flagship Etio programme delivered onbehalf of the Department for Education (DfE).

The NCfAE works collaborativelywith national, regional, and local partners across England to strengthen artseducation, support sector development, and improve access to high-qualitycreative and cultural learning opportunities for children and young people.Through leadership, evidence, partnership working, and sector engagement, theNCfAE seeks to drive excellence, equity, and innovation across arts education.

The Research, Evaluation &Impact Director plays a pivotal role in providing strategic leadership andnationally recognised expertise in research, evaluation, evidence generation,and impact measurement. This role ensures that robust evidence informsprogramme development, strategic decision-making, stakeholder engagement, andcontinuous improvement across the NCfAE.

You will lead the design andimplementation of a coherent research, evaluation, and impact strategy acrossthe NCfAE, overseeing evaluation activities, managing specialist research andevaluation teams, and working closely with internal and external stakeholdersto deliver credible, high-quality evidence and insights that demonstrateprogramme effectiveness and inform future development.

This is perfect for someone who is passionate to help us fulfilour mission to "Elevate Education, Everywhere."

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Research, Evaluation &Impact strategy for the NCfAE, ensuring robust methodologies underpin allevaluation, research, and impact activities.
• Maintain a detailed understanding of NCfAE programmes,initiatives, partnerships, and strategic objectives, ensuring research andevaluation approaches align with programme priorities.
• Liaise effectively with the Department for Education, providingcredible evidence, impact reporting, and strategic insight to inform programmedevelopment and future direction.
• Lead the development and refinement of monitoring, evaluation,and impact frameworks that measure progress against strategic goals and fundingrequirements.
• Oversee the design and implementation of data collectionmethodologies, reporting systems, and impact measurement processes incollaboration with programme and technology teams.
• Communicate research findings, evaluation methodologies, andimpact evidence clearly and effectively to diverse stakeholders across theeducation, arts, and cultural sectors.
• Lead and support a team of research, evaluation, and analyticalprofessionals, fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous professionaldevelopment.
• Produce high-quality research reports, evaluation outputs,impact assessments, and strategic recommendations for internal and externalaudiences.
• Support NCfAE partners and stakeholders in developingevidence-informed approaches to self-evaluation, impact assessment, andcontinuous improvement.
• Commission and manage external research and evaluationactivities, ensuring effective collaboration between external evaluators,programme teams, funders, and stakeholders.
• Provide strategic leadership on evidence generation, learning,and knowledge-sharing activities across the NCfAE.
• Ensure regular communication of research findings, programmeimpact, and emerging insights across the NCfAE and wider arts education sector.
• Please note: You may be asked to undertake other reasonableduties in line with business needs.

Expected Behaviours and Working Style

• Make every day count – Delivers with focus andpurpose, using evidence and insight to maximise programme impact and ensurehigh-quality outcomes for children and young people.
• Lead the way – Provides strategic leadershipthrough expertise, credibility, and influence, setting direction for research,evaluation, and impact activity across the arts education sector.
• Deliver with empathy – Builds trusted relationships with stakeholders, valuingdiverse perspectives and ensuring that evidence and learning support meaningfulimprovement across the system.
• Produce timely, robust, and credible research and evaluationoutputs that inform strategic decisions and demonstrate programme impact.
• Lead and coordinate internal and external evaluation activities,ensuring methodological rigour, stakeholder engagement, and high-qualitydelivery.
• Build research and evaluation capability across NCfAE teams andpartner organisations through guidance, support, and professional development.
• Ensure continuous improvement of evaluation frameworks, dataquality, impact measurement processes, and evidence communication.
• Provide strategic insight and thought leadership that supportsthe advancement of arts education policy, practice, and programmeeffectiveness.

Skills, Experience, and Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in Education, Social Research, ArtsEducation, Cultural Studies, Public Policy, Psychology, Statistics, DataScience, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience leading research, evaluation, impact, orevidence functions within education, arts, cultural, public sector, charity, orgovernment-funded programmes.
• Strong understanding of effective professional development,organisational learning, and evidence-informed practice.
• Proven ability to design and lead large-scale evaluation andimpact frameworks that influence programme development and policy.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder managementskills.
• Experience in strategic planning, programme development,organisational improvement, and managing change.
• Strong understanding of qualitative and quantitative researchmethodologies and impact measurement approaches.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, anddeliver high-quality outputs to tight deadlines.
• Confidence in using data analysis tools, reporting systems, anddigital collaboration platforms.
• Experience commissioning and managing external evaluators,researchers, or specialist consultancy partners.
• Willingness and ability to travel across England as required.
• Postgraduate qualification (Master's, Doctorate, or equivalent)in Education, Research Methods, Social Sciences, Arts Education, Public Policy,or a related field.
• Management or leadership qualification.
• Membership of relevant professional research, evaluation,education, or arts sector organisations.
• Recent practitioner experience within arts education, culturallearning, or the wider education sector.
• Strong knowledge of the education policy landscape anddevelopments affecting arts and cultural education.
• Experience working on Department for Education-funded programmesor other large-scale national initiatives.
• Advanced understanding of evaluation methodologies, impactassessment frameworks, and educational research practice.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complexstakeholder environments.
• Experience contributing to published research, national reports,or sector-wide evidence reviews.

What We Offer

At Etio, we believeour people are fundamental to our success.

In return, we offer:

• 25days + BH annual leave (with the option buy more leave)
• FlexibleWorking culture
• Healthand Wellbeing perks (Healthcare Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance, EmployeeAssistance Programme, Life Assurance)
• Enhancedfamily friendly policies (maternity, paternity, adoption, or shared parentalleave)
• Workfrom anywhere globally (up to 8weeks)
• ElectricCar Scheme and Cycle to work scheme

Our Values

MakeEvery day Count:We focus on delivering meaningful outcomes, taking ownership and making apositive impact.

Leadthe Way:We share expertise, embrace continuous learning and help each other succeed.

Deliverwith Empathy:We collaborate openly, communicate clearly and place people at the heartofeverything we do.

Diversity and Inclusion

Etio is committedtocreating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and ableto thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and actively encourageapplications from groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

Interested?

If you're looking fora role where you can develop your digital skills, support colleagues andcontribute to improving education around the world, we'd love to hear from you.

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