At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research projects that shape public policy and improve community outcomes.
- Company: Join Ipsos Scotland, a top-tier research company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension contributions, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equality and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in society while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in research and evaluation, strong leadership, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Job Description
Are you an experienced research and evaluation professional looking to influence public policy and improve outcomes for communities across Scotland?
Do you thrive on leading complex projects, developing high-performing teams, and turning robust evidence into meaningful impact?
If so, we'd love to hear from you.
About The Role
Join Ipsos Scotland's highly respected Public Affairs team and play a key role in delivering research and evaluation that informs policy decisions and public services across Scotland and the wider UK.
For more than 30 years, our team has partnered with government, public sector and third sector organisations to provide robust, high-quality evidence that shapes programmes, services and policy.
This is an exciting 12-month maternity cover opportunity for an experienced Associate Director to lead a diverse portfolio of qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method research and evaluation projects.
Working closely with clients, stakeholders and the Scotland Senior Management Team, you will oversee projects from design through to reporting and dissemination, ensuring the highest standards of quality and impact.
Alongside project leadership, you will contribute to business growth through proposal development, strengthen client relationships, provide subject matter expertise, and support the development of more junior researchers.
You'll join a collaborative, supportive team known for delivering work that stands up to scrutiny and makes a genuine difference to citizens, organisations and policymakers.
About You
- Experienced in delivering high-quality research and evaluation projects that inform policy and decision-making.
- A confident relationship builder, able to establish credibility with clients, stakeholders and colleagues at all levels.
- Strong leadership skills, with a passion for coaching, mentoring and developing others.
- Commercially minded, with the ability to identify opportunities and contribute to successful business development activities.
- Naturally curious and analytical, with a talent for turning complex evidence into clear, actionable insights.
- Comfortable managing multiple priorities, balancing strategic thinking with hands‑on project delivery.
- Resilient, adaptable and collaborative, thriving in a fast‑paced and evolving environment.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present findings and recommendations with clarity and impact.
- Proficient in leveraging and championing AI tools to enhance research, analysis, reporting and day‑to‑day productivity.
Essential Skills
- Proven track record of leading and delivering research and/or evaluation projects for public sector clients from inception through to reporting and dissemination.
- Strong knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and their application to social policy and programme evaluation.
- Experience managing project budgets, timelines, risks and resources with minimal senior oversight.
- Demonstrable success in business development, including leading and contributing to winning proposals.
- Strong client relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentation delivery.
- Experience leading, coaching and developing project teams and junior researchers.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and critical‑thinking abilities.
Desirable Skills
- Knowledge of Scottish public policy and experience working with the Scottish Government or other Scotland‑based public sector organisations.
- Experience within policy areas such as energy, environment, economic development, communities, health, or children and families.
- Familiarity with evaluation frameworks, approaches and methodologies.
- Experience developing and maintaining relationships with private sector clients.
- Advanced application of AI‑enabled tools and technologies to improve research quality, operational efficiency and client delivery.
Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you as an individual.
Our standard benefits include 25 days annual leave, pension contribution, income protection and life assurance.
In addition, there are a range health & wellbeing, financial benefits and professional development opportunities.
We have a hybrid approach to work and ask people to be in the office or with clients for 3 days per week.
We appreciate you may have commitments outside of work and will consider flexible working applications.
Please highlight what you are looking for when you make your application.
We are committed to equality, treating people fairly, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment and ensuring we have diversity of people and views.
We recognise that this is important for our business success.
A more diverse workforce enables us to better reflect and understand the world we research and ultimately deliver better research and insight to our clients.
We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident scheme, certified as a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer.
We provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.
Your application will be reviewed by someone from our Talent Team who will be in touch either way to let you know the outcome.
About Us
Ipsos is one of the world’s largest research companies and currently the only one primarily managed by researchers, ranking as a #1 full‑service research organization for four consecutive years.
With over 75 different data‑driven solutions, and presence in 90 markets, Ipsos brings together research, implementation, methodological, and subject‑matter experts from around the world, combining thematic and technical experts to deliver top‑quality research and insights.
Simply speaking, we help the biggest companies solve some of their biggest problems, serving more than 5000 clients across the globe by providing research, data, and insights on their target markets.
And we are proud of our continuous efforts in making Ipsos the best place to work!
About The Team
The Public Affairs Service Line is the world leader in Social and Opinion Research.
We work with clients on political and public opinion polling, citizen and stakeholder management, social policy improvement, sustainable development strategy and identifying societal trends and perceptions across several sectors.
We assess how government and public affairs policies as well as societal trends and views impact our client’s brand/products/markets.
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Associate Director - 12 Month FTC (Public Affairs) employer: Ipsos
Ipsos is an excellent employer that offers flexible, part-time opportunities for those looking to engage with their local community while contributing to the improvement of public transport across the UK. With comprehensive training, employee discounts, and the chance to earn performance-based rewards, Ipsos fosters a supportive work culture that values your input and growth. Enjoy the freedom of working on your own schedule while making a meaningful impact in your area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director - 12 Month FTC (Public Affairs)
✨Join PR Communities
Get involved in local PR groups or online communities where professionals gather to share opportunities and insights. Engage in conversations on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn—spotting temporary roles often happens in these spaces.
✨Attend PR Events
Look for industry events, workshops, or conferences that focus on public relations. Not only will you learn from the pros, but you might also meet someone who's looking for temporary help, which is perfect for a gig like this!
✨Showcase Your Skills
Create a portfolio that highlights any past PR work, campaigns, or even university projects. Share it on your social media or PR forums—you want to make sure your great work is visible when the right temporary role comes up.
✨Apply Directly on Our Website
When you spot a temporary PR role with companies like Ipsos, don't hesitate to apply directly through our website. You'll be on the front line, making it easier for you to get noticed!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director - 12 Month FTC (Public Affairs)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:When you're applying for a temporary role in public relations, your cover letter is your chance to show off your passion for the field. Highlight any relevant PR experience you have, even if it's just through internships or volunteer work. Tell us why you're excited about the opportunity at Ipsos and how you can help make an impact, even in a short time!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Public relations is all about communicating effectively, so make sure your CV reflects this! Use clear, concise language and showcase any writing samples you might have, such as press releases, blog posts, or social media campaigns. Including a link to a portfolio could really set you apart from other candidates.
Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability:Since this is a temporary role, we want to see how quickly you can jump in and start contributing. Mention past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or quickly adapted to changing situations. It’s these qualities that will show us you can thrive at Ipsos even on a short-term basis!
Research Ipsos and the Industry:Before submitting your application, take some time to learn about Ipsos and its approach to PR. Mention anything specific you like about their campaigns or strategies in your cover letter. This extra effort shows us you're genuinely interested and ready to bring your unique perspective to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsos
✨Brush Up on Your Crisis Management Skills
In public relations, handling crises is key. Be ready to discuss past situations where you managed communication challenges effectively. Bring examples that showcase your quick thinking and strategic response – they want to see you in action!
✨Show Off Your Portfolio of Campaigns
Since this is a temporary role, showcasing your portfolio is crucial. Make sure you have a collection of your best press releases, campaign plans, or media coverage. You want to prove you can hit the ground running and bring valuable experience to Ipsos right away!
✨Know Your Media Landscape
A strong PR candidate should be familiar with the media landscape. Brush up on key journalists, publications, and current trends in communications. Think about how you’d tailor messages to different media outlets – you might get asked about this during the interview!
✨Be Ready to Discuss Networking Strategies
Networking is a big part of PR work, especially in a temporary role. Be prepared to chat about your previous networking experiences or how you plan to build key relationships quickly at Ipsos. They’ll want to know you can create buzz and leverage your connections immediately!
