Principal IO Psychologist (Professional Services)

Sova is one of the world’s leading talent assessment providers, we make science work in the real world by combining our core psychological expertise with the creative use of digital technology, challenging existing thinking to reimagine what can be achieved.WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:We are looking for a UK-based Principal IO Psychologist to take a leading role in delivering psychological expertise across our client projects. This role will be central to ensuring that best-practice occupational psychology underpins all aspects of Sova’s work. You will shape client solutions, provide subject matter expertise to colleagues, and contribute to the development of cutting-edge assessments, reports, and supporting collateral.This role combines thought leadership with hands-on delivery — from conducting job analyses, designing assessment content, and data analysis through to representing Sova at client meetings, conferences, and industry events. You will be instrumental in maintaining the highest standards of scientific rigour while also helping colleagues and clients unlock the value of psychology within Sova’s SaaS solutions.YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:As Principal IO Psychologist at Sova Assessment, you will be responsible for leveraging your expertise in occupational psychology with a key focus on ensuring our clients are provided with service aligned with the IO team’s mission:Providing our clients with unparalleled service and expertise in the psychological aspects of the projects we deliver for them. Acting as in-house experts to support our colleagues so they can in turn support our prospects, clients and partners. Delivering cutting-edge off-the-shelf assessments, reports and new functionality with useful supporting collateral. Ensuring the application of best-practice psychology in all aspects of our work. Contributing to the continuous evolution of our field through research and external communication WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU:Client Project DeliveryEnsure the application of best practice in occupational psychology throughout the project lifecycle, maintaining high quality standards aligned to the IO team’s mission.Work with Professional Services project managers to deliver the psychological aspects of client projects including job analysis, content design, testing, piloting, adverse impact analysis, validation and norms.Harnessing Sova’s assessment library to configure new assessments for customers with supporting collateral. Crafting new assessment content such as Situational Judgement Test items aligned to job analysis output and best practice. Presenting findings from assessment development and analysis activities to clients and their internal stakeholders. Undertake data analysis and playing back data, via Quarterly Business Reviews as needed (supporting the Customer Success team). Providing Subject Matter Expert (SME) SupportSupport colleagues from other departments with specialist IO-related queries, fostering a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment.Capture queries and proactively develop materials that will enable colleagues to be better placed to respond to customers.Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) with sales colleagues to support with written bids, SOWs and proposals.Act as SME during client meetings and presentations, demonstrating the value of the psychological expertise in Sova’s SAAS solutions.Collaborate with Sova’s marketing team to produce and deliver compelling content related to the IO side of Sova’s offering.ScienceAs required, inputting to research activities and conference submissions/attendance.Product Development SupportWorking with Chief IO Psychologist and Sova’s Product team as needed to support the development of new psychology-related assessments/functionality. OtherYou may also be expected to perform various additional tasks as necessitated to suit the needs of the business.REQUIREMENTS AND SKILLS:Essential· MSc or PhD in Occupational Psychology· Excellent knowledge of SPSS and Excel· Deep expertise in psychology and psychometrics, with strong knowledge of psychometric assessments, best practice in talent acquisition, and the global assessment marketplace· Excellent communication skills, both written and oral· Ability to work on multiple projects and tasks· Strong influencing skills with the ability to gain trust from key stakeholders· Team player with a highly collaborative mindset· Highly developed problem-solving skills, with the ability to find and suggest alternative ideas if problems arise· Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain quality standards· Excellent critical-thinking skills, including the ability to remove barriers and enable teams to complete their objectivesDesirable · Interest or experience in exploring how generative AI can be deployed in psychometrics (desirable)