At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-profile research projects and manage a dynamic team in the education sector.
- Company: Join a supportive company that values innovation and work-life balance.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, hybrid working, 28 days leave, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a learning culture that encourages fresh ideas and teamwork.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education policy while developing your career in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in education research with strong quantitative skills and project management abilities.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Now is an exciting time to join us, we’re embracing innovative ways of working and piloting progressive schemes to support our team and ensure they have a work life balance that really works for them.
About the opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Research Manager with excellent quantitative skills to join our Education team. The Education sector accounts for over a third of project work at IFF and delivers research and evaluation to inform policy and practice across the UK. We work with government bodies, notably the Department for Education, sector organisations and employers to provide evidence-based insights through large-scale surveys, qualitative studies, and complex evaluations. Our projects span early years, schools, apprenticeships, further and higher education, as well as a wide range of work on managed and irregular migration for the Home Office. By exploring these issues, we help stakeholders make informed decisions that improve outcomes for learners, educators, and society.
As a Senior Research Manager (SRM) you’ll take the lead role on a number of high-profile studies, working on large scale surveys for government clients. You’ll work with and learn from our Associate Directors on other complex projects and you’ll be managing a team of Research Executives and Senior Research Executives, overseeing timescales and budgets, as well as leading on research outputs and client liaison, offering valuable advice to clients at various stages of the project. Working alongside our Directors you’ll attend new business pitches and work with the senior team to develop and build on success within your sectors as well as developing your career and expertise.
As an SRM at IFF part of your role will be to collaborate with our L&D Director and other members of the research team to help design and eventually deliver training to the wider research team.
Responsibilities
- Design complex questionnaires & topic guides.
- Overall responsibility for signing off specifications & data outputs.
- Analyse quantitative & qualitative data to produce insightful, in-depth & publishable reports.
- Produce thoughtful, creative & impactful presentations to deliver to clients.
- Lead efficient running of multiple projects through planning prioritisation & communication.
- Oversee projects with large-scale CATI fieldwork, ensuring quality & timely delivery.
- Apply advanced data manipulation techniques, including weighting & complex sampling.
- Supervise & delegate to project teams confidently, clearly & effectively.
- Review SRE & RE outputs to ensure accuracy & to feedback improvements.
- Be first point of contact for the client.
- Work positively & flexibly within project teams, to get the best out of everyone.
- Identify skill gaps & coordinate required training for team members.
About you
This is a role for someone who enjoys the pace of agency research and is keen to apply their skills and develop their knowledge on a range of projects with a variety of colleagues and clients. You'll be able to quickly take ownership of complex projects, deliver high-quality outputs and manage multiple priorities confidently. We're looking for candidates who have significant experience working in research in the education sector in the UK. The role will suit someone with more of a quantitative focus and strong technical skills in statistical software (SPSS, R, or similar), with some qualitative exposure. You may have some evaluation experience, certainly a solid foundation and a desire to develop that understanding. It will be helpful if you have experience of working on projects delivering Official Statistics, data quality assurance and advanced skills in data handling—e.g., weighting, complex sampling, statistical analysis. Experience of managing research projects with large scale CATI fieldwork would be good too. You’ll have experience delivering large-scale or high-profile UK surveys for government clients and can demonstrate either operating at a similar level or managing a demanding workload that shows you’re ready for the next step in your career.
You should be someone with integrity, who communicates well and has a calm and constructive approach. You’ll understand commercial implications, have some experience of managing others and be able to manage several projects concurrently, work under pressure and reacting positively as requirements change. We value fresh ideas on how to continue delivering to the highest quality. This is an opportunity to join a business that values input from all its staff and as a SRM you’ll apply your skills and build on the success of IFF.
Why join us?
- A friendly and supportive work environment, true to our value of “being human first”
- Genuine flexibility, with hybrid working and the ability to flex when you work around our core hours of 11-3
- Learning culture, with ongoing investment in your personal development
- Competitive remuneration, including 5% pension contributions
- 28 days’ annual leave (+ bank holidays), increasing by one day at 3 and 5 years’ service
- PLUS a range of nice perks designed to bring the team together such as all team events and team lunches
Senior Research Manager in London employer: IFF Research
IFF is an exceptional employer that prioritises a supportive and flexible work environment, allowing employees to achieve a healthy work-life balance while engaging in meaningful research projects that impact the education sector across the UK. With a strong commitment to personal development, competitive remuneration, and a culture that values collaboration and innovation, IFF offers unique opportunities for growth and professional advancement, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a difference in education research.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education sector, especially those who work with government clients. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio of your best research projects and presentations. When you get the chance to meet potential employers, having tangible examples of your work can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like IFF, and express your interest in working with them. Sometimes, they might have opportunities that aren’t advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on the latest trends in education research and data analysis. Join webinars or workshops to enhance your skills. This shows potential employers that you’re committed to your professional growth.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in the education sector and your quantitative skills. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Senior Research Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Skills:When detailing your experience, focus on your technical skills in statistical software like SPSS or R. We’re looking for someone who can handle complex data analysis, so give us examples of how you've used these tools in past projects.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to your achievements and responsibilities in previous roles. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at IFF Research
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Research Manager, you'll need to showcase your quantitative skills. Brush up on your statistical software knowledge, especially SPSS or R. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these skills and how they contributed to successful outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership
You'll be managing a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, managed project timelines, and ensured quality outputs. Highlight your experience in training and developing team members too!
✨Understand the Education Sector
Familiarise yourself with current trends and challenges in the UK education sector. Be prepared to discuss how your research has informed policy and practice. This will show that you’re not just a number cruncher but someone who understands the bigger picture.
✨Prepare for Client Interactions
As the first point of contact for clients, you need to convey confidence and professionalism. Think about how you've handled client relationships in the past. Prepare to discuss how you would approach client meetings and ensure their needs are met throughout the project lifecycle.
