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- Tasks: Lead innovative research projects and enhance team skills in qualitative methods.
- Company: Join the Learning and Work Institute, a purpose-driven charity making a real impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; perfect for those who thrive on challenge and variety.
- Why this job: Shape the future of work and learning while growing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme evaluation and advanced qualitative research skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45650 - 59080 £ per year.
London or Leicester (with hybrid working)
About Us
We are Learning and Work Institute, an independent policy and research organisation focused on lifelong learning and better work. We are dedicated to tackling the big challenges of today. How do we help more people find work and build successful careers in a changing jobs market? How do we empower citizens to be active, engaged members of their communities? How can adults continually develop their skills throughout their lifetime?
We are now looking for a Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods to enhance our Research Team on a full-time, permanent basis. Requests for flexible working will be considered with a minimum option of 0.6 FTE, working condensed hours with flexible start and finish times.
Your Rewards
- Salary of £45,650 - £59,080 per annum (pro rata for part-time), dependent on experience and location
- 31 days' holiday increasing to 33 days after 5 years' service, of which 3 are shutdown days in addition to public holidays (pro rata for part-time)
- Company pension scheme with 8% employer contribution
- Group Life Assurance 3*salary
- Hybrid working: 40-60% in an L&W office. Our offices for this role are currently in Leicester and London, but if you are based elsewhere, please contact us to talk about how the role could work for you
- Employee Development Scheme
- Enhanced occupational maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
- Eye care scheme
- Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme
- Gold award in Investors in People
This is an exceptional opportunity for a talented research and programme management professional to take their next step with our vital national charity. You will be playing a leading role across our organisation, providing training to upskill our team, supporting tenders to aid our funding, and driving change across our research programmes, meaning this is the perfect role for those who love challenge, thrive with variety and are eager to enhance their own skills.
What’s more, you will be joining a purpose-driven organisation that delivers real impact locally and nationally and is enthusiastic about learning and improving, so you know this is the right role for both now and your future career.
Your Role
As the Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods, you will be taking on a brand new role directing research projects across all our areas of work, developing research skills within our team and playing a vital role in tender responses. Specifically, you will provide leadership and expertise to programme and systems-level evaluations and projects. You will utilise innovative or advanced qualitative methods, such as system mapping, co-design methods, ethnographic methods, creative methods and/or theory-based/realist evaluation, to ensure accurate outcomes for our research.
Working with colleagues to develop proactive research proposals, you will seek to build external relationships with funding commissioners and shape projects to deliver meaningful insights that solve the problems practitioners and policymakers face. Additionally, you will:
- Line manage members of the R&D team
- Write and contribute to reactive and proactive funding proposals
- Identify potential research partners
- Ensure that all projects generate meaningful insights and recommendations
- Act as Project Director for research and evaluation projects
- Help develop appropriate comms and influencing plans for projects
About You
To be considered as the Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods, you will need:
- Experience of delivering and directing high-quality programme evaluation and policy-relevant research, shaping research plans, working with funders and delivering meaningful insights
- Experience of responding to research and evaluation tenders and writing proposals
- Experience of managing, supporting and developing researchers and research managers
- Advanced qualitative evaluation and research skills, e.g. one or more of theory-based evaluation, ethnographic methods, creative/art-based methods, co-design methods, system-level evaluation
- Effective and efficient relationship management skills
- A clear and direct written communication style
The closing date for this role is the 20th February 2026.
Other organisations may call this role Head of Research Evaluation, Head of Qualitative Research, Senior Research Manager, or Research Fellow.
Webrecruit and the Learning and Work Institute are equal opportunities employers, value diversity, and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business, and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.
So, if you want to take your career to the next level as our Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods, please apply via the button shown.
Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods in London employer: Learning and Work Institute
Contact Detail:
Learning and Work Institute Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their mission and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it aligns with the role. Keep it concise but impactful – you want to leave them wanting to know more about you.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in their minds and show your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in programme evaluation and qualitative research. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've worked on!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since clear and direct written communication is key for this role, ensure your application reflects that. Use concise language and structure your thoughts logically. We’re looking for clarity, so keep it straightforward and engaging!
Highlight Your Leadership Experience: As a Head of Research, you’ll be managing a team, so make sure to mention any leadership roles or experiences you’ve had. We want to know how you’ve supported and developed others in your previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget 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 makes the process smoother for everyone involved!
How to prepare for a job interview at Learning and Work Institute
✨Know Your Research Methods
Make sure you brush up on the advanced qualitative methods mentioned in the job description, like ethnographic and co-design methods. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these techniques in past projects and how they can be beneficial for the Learning and Work Institute.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Research, you'll be managing a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in research settings. Highlight your experience in training and developing researchers, as this will demonstrate your capability to enhance the skills of the team.
✨Prepare for Funding Discussions
Since you'll be involved in writing proposals and responding to tenders, think about your previous experiences with funding applications. Be ready to share specific examples of successful proposals you've worked on and how you built relationships with funders.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
The role requires a clear and direct written communication style. Practice articulating your thoughts concisely and confidently. You might even want to prepare a brief presentation on a relevant research topic to showcase your communication skills during the interview.