Research and Insight Officer in Manchester

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details:

• Job reference: REQ012720
• Date posted: 07/08/2026
• Application closing date: 17/09/2026
• Location: Manchester
• Salary: £38,400 - £57,600 per annum
• Package: Competitive Benefits plus Local Government Pension Scheme
• Contractual hours: 37
• Basis: Full time
• Job category/type: Marketing and Communication

LTE Group has an exciting opportunity to join our Marketing, PR and Communications Department as a Research and Insight Officer. This is a permanent, full-time position (37 hours per week) with hybrid working, based at our Openshaw Campus in Manchester.

Who are The LTE Group? The LTE Group is one of the largest social enterprises in the UK dedicated to lifelong learning; we truly believe in the power of education to change lives. We consist of The Manchester College, MOL, Total People, UCEN Manchester, Novus, and Group Professional Services & Group Operations. We are committed to delivering outstanding outcomes for our learners.

This role offers a unique opportunity to provide research intelligence, insight and analysis to inform and develop the activity of LTE Group, a family of five education and training providers working together to help communities gain skills that will improve their life chances and grow their earning potential. The Group seeks to use its expertise across the further education, skills, higher education and justice sectors to both shape and respond to the policy direction of the Government, and we are looking for a research and policy expert to help deliver the insight and analysis we need.

The Research and Insight Officer will work with the Group Head of Policy, PR and Public Affairs to lead the strategic direction of research and planning for business areas within the Group, providing professional challenge, research and analytical expertise to senior leaders, to ensure the cohesive, strategic development of group provision. They have autonomy to design, create and present analysis and insights to senior leadership teams, and to offer recommendations on evaluating projects. They are expected to develop and maintain a high level of knowledge, often having to align multiple external and internal data sources to problem-solve complex research tasks.

Tasks can include:

• Evaluating and validating curriculum portfolios;
• Assessing supply and demand factors;
• Producing competitor analysis and insights;
• Liaising with colleagues to draft government consultation responses and policy white papers;
• Carrying out original survey research with students and stakeholders to shape marketing activity.

This role also offers the opportunity to build the ‘LTE Group Centre for Policy and Research,’ which uses insight and research from across LTE Group to support and shape the development of innovative education, skills, and employment policy to enable the effective delivery of impactful programmes.

The skills and experience required for the role of Research and Insight Officer include:

• Substantial job-related experience of planning, designing, and undertaking extensive research projects for consumption by a broad spectrum of senior external and internal stakeholders; hands-on project expertise gained in a large, complex organisation.
• Specialist and practical knowledge of the collection, analysis and use of data, and the application of research methodologies and use of statistics through sophisticated data analytics.
• Broad experience of primary and secondary research design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative research, carrying out surveys, focus groups and face-to-face interviews, and in the strategic positioning of the use of data across multiple sectors.
• A working knowledge of strategic planning; including experience of business planning and new product development.
• Able to communicate the results of research to a wide variety of audiences using appropriate dissemination techniques.
• Excellent stakeholder management experience and skills, with the ability to build strong, effective relationships across the organisation at all levels to successfully influence and deliver change.
• Experience of carrying out research and analysis in Further Education, Higher Education, and/or Justice sectors (preferred).

Benefits:

• 28 days paid annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
• Significant pension contribution.
• Retail discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Cycle to work scheme.

The LTE Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be required to undergo an appropriate DBS check via the Criminal Records Bureau and may be subject to additional online checks as part of our pre-screening process. Some roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and would require an Enhanced DBS check.

At The LTE Group, we’re committed to providing an environment free from discrimination, bullying, harassment, or victimisation, where all members of our community are treated with respect and dignity. The LTE Group is committed to working in an inclusive way with all the communities where we are geographically located and to developing a workforce and student community that reflects Greater Manchester’s and the UK’s rich diversity and vibrancy.