Research Manager

We are currently looking for a Research Manager to join one of M&C Saatchi Group’s specialist divisions. This role sits within the Insights team of M&C Saatchi World Services. Partnering with governments, civil society, foundations, academia, and the private sector, we work on the critical issues of our time, including national security, social justice, and conflict prevention.

We provide a fully integrated, end-to-end service, combining multi-discipline communications teams with subject matter experts, across the world. Our work is domestic and global, often affecting the most vulnerable in society, with international activity oriented towards developing countries and fragile, conflict-affected states.

We have almost 250 colleagues globally based in the UK, US, Singapore, Australia, and Dubai working with clients across all corners of the world. We are deeply proud of our trusted, collaborative, and diverse culture. We also recognize our need to continuously grow and evolve.

Job Responsibilities:

• Leading mixed-method research and campaign evaluation projects from beginning to end, including design, implementation, client and project management, managing junior project members, coordination with partners/stakeholders, and reporting.
• Contribute to new business development by actively identifying opportunities with existing and prospective clients, writing proposals, and pitch documents.
• Designing formative research, pre-testing, pre/post-campaign tracking, audience segmentations, evaluation using a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods and data sources, both online and face-to-face.
• Developing data collection tools, such as questionnaires, discussion guides, interview guides, sampling, and recruitment plans.
• Working collaboratively with communication specialists and strategists to monitor and evaluate multimedia communication activities (digital and offline).
• Carrying out analysis and triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data, primary and secondary sources to provide actionable insights for policy and behavior change communications.
• Writing up research findings in a succinct, clear, and engaging way, using both long and short-form reports (Word, PPT), summaries, and policy briefs.

About You:

• Demonstrable experience in comms research, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), both standalone and as part of integrated communications.
• Thematic experience across the public, social impact (e.g., global health, education, etc.), or security and defense (e.g., fraud, cybercrime, modern slavery, and human trafficking) sectors.
• Experience in using innovative and cost-effective research methods, including responsible AI use, narrative solicitation, and creative qualitative methods is a plus.
• Entrepreneurial and proactive attitude towards identifying new growth opportunities. Experience working in a startup environment is a plus.
• Strong quantitative analysis skills (with experience using SPSS, R, or Stata).
• Experience using participatory techniques, such as co-creation, ethnographies, human-centered design (HCD), participatory action research (PAR), and others.
• Knowledge of main evaluation and learning methods, such as impact evaluation, theory-based evaluation, rapid feedback, and iterative learning.
• Good communication skills including experience presenting research findings and explaining technical concepts to multiple stakeholders including non-researchers, clients, etc.
• A strong work ethic with the ability to stick to deadlines is essential.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social science, preferably with modules in applied research, international development, behavioral science, etc.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary and benefits package that includes 27 days of holiday per year, pension contributions, private healthcare, discounted dental insurance, enhanced maternity/parental leave, plus a whole host of others including:
• Cultural stimulation allowance – £250 per person per year
• Half days off before bank holidays
• Emergency care days for dependants
• Up to 5 days volunteering leave per year to work for a registered charity
• Up to 10 days special emergency leave per year
• Season Ticket loan
• Payroll Giving Scheme
• Thursday drinks to unwind and socialize
• An annual Summer and Christmas party
• Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion sees us offer inclusive bank holidays

We also offer learning opportunities around DE&I, targeted mentoring programs, and the opportunity to participate in several active Employee Led Networks and associated events. Finally, this role will be supported with all the necessary personal development required to set someone up for success.

The M&C Saatchi Group has pledged its commitment to create a company that values difference, with an inclusive culture brought to life through equity with business-wide activity across people, culture, industry, and society. As part of this, M&C Saatchi Group continues to be an Equal Opportunity Employer which does not and shall not discriminate, celebrates diversity, and bases all hiring and promotion decisions solely on merit, without regard for any personal characteristics.

All employee and candidate information is kept confidential according to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

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