At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth by creating compelling propositions and supporting pitches.
- Company: Join a leading global market research company with a creative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a blend of work and study, with support for your professional development.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making impactful decisions in diverse sectors.
- Qualifications: GCSEs and A Levels required; creativity and strong communication skills are a must.
The predicted salary is between 61385 - 75026 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 18 August 2026
Department: Apprentice
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Harrow
Compensation: £26,936 / year
Are you driven by data and passionate about insights? We are a leading global market research company, enabling organisations to make smarter, bolder, and faster decisions. Ipsos Observer is a team of 30 researchers with specialist design and data collection expertise blended with technology to deliver trustworthy quantitative global research.
The Role
As part of the Observer Business Development team, you'll help drive growth by creating compelling propositions, identifying new opportunities, and supporting pitches and proposals. You'll gain hands-on experience across the business development journey and share in the excitement of winning new clients.
We dare to be different. We want our people to be different. Be creative, be edgy, be yourself. People buy from people, and we avoid the boring or predictive.
Some of what we would like to involve you in includes:
- Researching prospective customers, sectors and market trends
- Participate in developing Go to Market campaigns that resonate with target audiences
- Helping gather competitor intelligence
- Supporting the creation of proposal and pitch development
- Working on the content and design of materials that are sent to clients, used on LinkedIn etc
- Work with the wider Observer team to support our client growth and marketing agenda.
About You
- A commercially curious and proactive mindset, with a passion for understanding client challenges and supporting activities that drive growth and long-term relationships.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills, able to engage stakeholders confidently & communicate clearly and persuasively.
- Curiosity, creativity and initiative, with an enthusiasm for exploring new opportunities, markets and ideas.
- A collaborative approach, working effectively with colleagues to maximise client opportunities and team success.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, managing multiple priorities accurately and professionally.
- Confidence in presentation and delivery, creating compelling proposals, pitches and communications that showcase Observer's capabilities.
- Self-motivation and a growth mindset, demonstrating resilience, ambition and a commitment to continuous improvement.
- An aptitude for leveraging AI tools and techniques to support business growth and efficiency, in line with Ipsos' standards and policies.
Desirables:
- A creative mindset that’s willing to challenge the norms.
- Lots of personality!
Along with:
- The unrestricted right to work in the UK.
- A minimum five GCSEs (including Maths at grade C (4) or above and English Language at C (4) or above) and a minimum of CCC at A Level or equivalent (not including General Studies).
Why Ipsos
As a Business Development Apprentice at Ipsos 80% of your time will be spent in work, with 20% studying, both aspects helping you to learn your craft. Alongside work, your part-time study will equip you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to become a professional Business Development executive by the end of the 2-year programme. After completing the apprenticeship, you will be eligible for a permanent position and promotion to further your career at Ipsos.
At Ipsos, we are committed to investing in your development, and to offering you comprehensive support and guidance throughout the programme, empowering you to build a successful and fulfilling career. You will have the chance to meet apprentices and graduates across the business and work on projects together, building a global network and fostering teamwork and innovation.
Business Development Apprentice – Observer (Multi-Market Research) employer: Ipsos UK
Ipsos UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture in the heart of London where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Graduate Research Executive, you will benefit from comprehensive training in data analysis and client engagement, with clear pathways for career advancement within the company. Join us to be part of a team that values your growth and empowers you to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Apprentice – Observer (Multi-Market Research)
✨Dive into Data Analytics Communities
Get involved in online forums and local meetups focused on business intelligence. Platforms like Reddit, LinkedIn Groups, or even local events can be goldmines for connecting with industry professionals who might have insider info about opportunities at companies like Ipsos UK.
✨Showcase Your Work with Personal Projects
Consider creating a small portfolio demonstrating your skills in data analysis or visualisation. This could be anything from a project analysing public datasets to creating dashboards—having something tangible to show can really make us stand out during your apprenticeship search.
✨Get Familiar with Apprenticeship Platforms
Utilise platforms specifically tailored for apprenticeships. Websites like Apprenticeships.gov.uk or local job boards can help us find the latest openings, and many companies even post directly about their apprenticeship opportunities. Don't forget to check Ipsos UK’s own careers page too!
✨Engage with Business Intelligence Tools
Familiarise yourself with popular BI tools like Tableau or Power BI. Showing that you can navigate these tools will not only impress recruiters but also give you a practical edge in interviews. Plus, we can find free online resources or courses to boost our skills before approaching companies like Ipsos UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Apprentice – Observer (Multi-Market Research)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence world, we love a good number-cruncher! When crafting your CV, highlight any experience you have with data analysis, reporting, or relevant software. If you’ve done any projects that involved extracting insights from data, make sure to include those!
Craft a Motivational Cover Letter:Since this is an apprenticeship, we want to see your enthusiasm for learning and growing in the business intelligence field. Share why you're interested in business intelligence and what excites you about the role at Ipsos UK. Let your passion shine through!
Keep It Relevant:Tailor your application documents to align with the skills we're looking for in an apprentice. Mention any coursework or certifications you've completed related to business intelligence, data analytics, or even general business acumen. Specific examples will help you stand out!
Show Your Team Spirit:Business intelligence isn't just about data; it's also about collaboration. Highlight any experience working in teams—whether that's through school projects, extracurricular activities, or volunteering. We want to know you can communicate well and work alongside others to drive results.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsos UK
✨Dive into Data!
As this is a business intelligence apprenticeship, show off your enthusiasm for data! Be ready to discuss your experience with data analysis tools like Tableau, Power BI, or even Excel. Have some examples at hand that demonstrate how you've transformed raw data into actionable insights — it’ll show the interviewers your practical skills!
✨Know Your BI Basics
Brush up on fundamental BI concepts and methodologies. You're likely to face technical questions that test your knowledge of data warehousing, ETL processes, or SQL. Having a few key definitions and real-world scenarios prepared will help you stand out and show you're not just repeating phrases from a textbook.
✨Show Your Eagerness to Learn
Since this is an apprenticeship, employers are looking for potential over experience. Be sure to communicate your eagerness to learn and grow in the field. Talk about any relevant projects or coursework you’ve completed, showing them you’re proactive and ready to hit the ground running at Ipsos UK.
✨Bring Along a Portfolio
Even for an apprenticeship, having a portfolio can be a big plus! Include any relevant projects you've worked on, such as data visualisations, reports, or case studies. This hands-on evidence of your skills will complement your verbal explanations, giving the interviewers a solid picture of what you can bring to the table.
