Research Analyst

If you're curious about businesses and markets, interested in how AI and emerging technology can improve the way we work, and looking for a role where you can make a genuine contribution from early on, this could be a great opportunity.

Ford & Stanley is a Derby-based talent services group working across rail, engineering, manufacturing and aerospace – placing people into some of the most recognised organisations in the sector. We're now looking for a Research Analyst to join the business as we develop our research and commercial intelligence capability, with AI and technology playing an increasing part in how we do that.

What the Role Involves

You'll be supporting both our Sales and Operations teams with research and commercial intelligence, while also playing a part in developing how we use AI, technology and different sources of information to do that more effectively. There's a clear structure to the role and you'll have support around you from day one – but as you settle in, the expectation is that you'll take ownership of your outputs, develop your understanding of our markets and look for better ways of doing things.

A key part of the role will be taking information from multiple sources, working out what matters and turning it into succinct, commercially useful insight. In practice, that means:

• Responding to ad hoc research requests from across the Sales and Operations teams.
• Producing scheduled reports, research outputs and commercial intelligence.
• Supporting research that helps our teams build a stronger understanding of clients, opportunities, decision-makers, competitors and the wider commercial environment.
• Producing concise client research profiles covering company performance, recent developments, projects, leadership changes, tenders, competitors and other commercially relevant information.
• Supporting candidate and supply-chain intelligence, identifying new sources, communities, networks and routes to talent beyond the traditional recruitment channels we already use.
• Researching unfamiliar subjects and bringing information from different sources together to identify what is relevant and what it could mean for the business.
• Working alongside AI and other research tools – reviewing and validating outputs, understanding where they work well and where human judgement is required.
• Exploring new technologies, research methods and sources of information that could improve the quality, speed or reach of our research.
• Contributing to conversations about which tools, platforms, vendors and approaches are worth investing in.
• Finding efficient, practical and repeatable ways of getting things done.

As your understanding of Ford & Stanley, our clients and our markets grows, so will the scope of what you're involved in. We want the person in this role to increasingly understand not simply what the information says, but why it matters and what we should do with it.

What We're Looking For

You'll be degree educated and ideally have some experience of working in a professional environment – whether that's a placement year, an internship or a first role – and you'll be looking for somewhere that gives you the chance to do more with it. We're less concerned with whether you've previously worked in recruitment or held the title of Research Analyst. We're interested in how you think.

More specifically, you'll likely be:

• Naturally curious – you enjoy investigating a question, understanding businesses and markets and finding out what's really going on.
• Analytical – you're able to take information from multiple sources, assess its relevance and turn it into clear, useful insight.
• Commercially minded – you're interested not just in finding information, but in understanding what it means and why it matters.
• Genuinely interested in AI and technology – not just aware of it, but someone who's used it, thought about its limitations and has a view on where it adds value.
• Resourceful – you look beyond the obvious sources and find smarter ways of getting to an answer.
• Able to exercise judgement – you don't simply accept the first answer or an AI-generated output; you're prepared to question, validate and investigate.
• A clear communicator – able to take potentially complex or extensive research and present the important points succinctly.
• Comfortable managing your own time and getting on with things independently.
• Someone who enjoys being part of a team and working closely with the people around them.

What matters is that you have the intellectual curiosity and capability to get underneath unfamiliar subjects, understand what you're looking at and turn research into something genuinely useful.

The Opportunity

There's genuine scope to grow here. The business is evolving how it uses research, commercial intelligence and AI, and the person in this role will naturally become more central to that as their understanding of the business develops. Initially, you'll be working within established research requirements and supporting our teams with defined outputs. Over time, we want you to help us improve those outputs, identify new sources of intelligence and recommend better ways of approaching the questions we're trying to answer. You'll be encouraged to make recommendations and contribute ideas, supported by a team that wants to see you do well.

A Culture Built on Trust and Performance

We combine high standards with real support. You can expect:

• Clear expectations and a structured onboarding to set you up properly.
• A collaborative team that shares knowledge and works closely together.
• Real investment in your development as your understanding of the business and its research needs grows.
• A culture where good work is noticed and people are given room to do more of it.

What You'll Get

• £27,000 – £30,000 salary.
• A role with real autonomy and scope to develop.
• The chance to help shape how research, commercial intelligence and AI are applied in a specialist talent business.
• A close-knit, collaborative team environment.
• Bi-annual talent review board opportunities for promotion.
• Structured development & coaching with clear career progression pathway.
• Incentives, socials, and a high-energy environment.
• £500 Internal Recruitment Referral Scheme.
• 5% Pension Scheme.
• 22 + 8 holidays per annum.
• Extended Christmas Break & Company Shutdown.
• Life Assurance 4 x Annual Salary.
• Health Shield Annual Cash Allowances covering optical, dental, chiro, massage, gym memberships & more.
• Half-Year Company Away Day.
• Monthly Team Social Budget.
• Annual Christmas Party.
• iPhone.
• Laptop with seamless remote connectivity to all company infrastructure.
• Fully Stocked Beer & Prosecco Fridge.
• Free parking Facilities – team recreation area including table tennis.
• CSR initiatives including opportunities to plant trees at our privately owned Conservation Meadow via our tree for every placement initiative.
• 24/7 Mental Fitness & Performance Coach Access.

About Ford & Stanley Group

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas - recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.

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Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.