Impact Evaluation Lead

We’re looking for an experienced impact evaluation expert to join our leadership team and drive forward our evaluation offer across policy areas such as sustainability, economic development, and regulation. You’ll work closely with stakeholders and delivery partners to evaluate complex programmes and interventions. combining theory-based approaches, survey design, statistical analysis, and qualitative insight.

As an Associate Director or Director you’ll play a key role in developing our internal capability and driving the strategic direction of our growing evaluation practice. You’ll work closely with our economist and wider evaluation teams to ensure we’re delivering credible, robust, and insightful work that informs decision making and creates impact for our clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of theory based and mixed-method evaluations.
• Develop logic models and evaluation frameworks, tailoring methodologies to suit diverse policy contexts.
• Work with clients to define evaluation questions and shape learning agendas.
• Manage and mentor project teams to ensure high-quality, timely and profitable project delivery.
• Oversee qualitative research components and integrate findings with quantitative analysis.
• Act as a visible leader across the evaluation function, developing internal expertise and guiding strategy.
• Contribute to business development, including proposal writing and client relationship building.
• Collaborate with economists and sector heads to deliver integrated, high-impact work.

About You

• Experience leading complex evaluations, ideally within a UK public policy or agency setting.
• Strong grounding in theory based evaluation and mixed-method approaches.
• Skilled in project and stakeholder management, with a client-focused mindset.
• Proven leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Comfortable managing multiple projects with varying complexity.
• Familiarity with UK government commissioning processes and policy cycles.
• An interest in sustainability, economic development, and/or regulatory policy.
• Collaborative, commercially minded, and excited by the opportunity to shape a growing function.

Time and time again we hear that the best thing about working here is our people. We attract and retain some of the most talented, friendly and interesting people within the industry. People with different ways of thinking and working, but with a shared goal of delivering impactful insight that makes a difference.

At IFF, we offer a supportive, flexible, and people-first culture, with 28 days’ holiday (increasing to 30 over time), healthcare options, wellbeing support, and social events.

If you’re looking for the next step in your research career, where you can lead projects, develop people, and make an impact, we’d love to hear from you.