Associate Director - Research in London

M&C Saatchi World Services was founded in 2011 as a new global division of M&C Saatchi. Using the experience and creative capabilities of M&C Saatchi, World Services is dedicated to tackling complex behavioural and social issues. World Services provides a fully integrated, end-to-end service, combining multi-disciplinary communications teams with subject matter experts to solve complex problems across the world.

We are currently looking for an Associate Director - Research working on the Europe geography as part of a specialist research team providing formative research support and evaluation of the company’s communications campaigns. The Associate Director – Research will be responsible for leading, with final sign-off from the (Senior) Research Director, the design and implementation of evaluation strategies for multiple communications campaigns simultaneously.

ABOUT THE ROLE: The evaluation strategies required for this role will make use of either (or often both) qualitative and quantitative research. The Associate Director – Research will also analyse datasets to produce (write) client-facing research reports (both formative and evaluative), which may vary in depth and scope, according to client requirements. The Associate Director – Research will be confident as a manager, overseeing Research Managers and (Senior) Analysts in designing assessment frameworks, managing primary data collection, analysing quantitative and qualitative data, and writing research reports to ensure both the effectiveness of the messaging and the underpinning strategy/Theory of Change itself are assessed.

The position requires relationship management with research partners who perform the primary research on behalf of the organisation. The position will also require representing the research team internally, working with relevant accounts, strategy and production teams. The position will additionally entail other research tasks, including but not limited to: open‑source research; desk reviews; and lessons learned/best practice write ups.

Key responsibilities are to:

• This position reports to the Insights Director and is line managed by the Senior Research Director – Regional Lead.
• This position is a key staff member in a geographic team. The RD is expected to be (or become) an authority on their region, with the ability to sense‑check analysis produced by other Europe Insights team members.
• Using the company HR portal, the Associate Director – Research will administer the development, appraisals, objectives, performance reviews of one or more Research Managers, (Senior) Analysts, or Interns.
• This position will be expected to work with others not within the formal line management structure – many employees, both in the research team and outside it, will contribute to the work of this role.
• The Associate Director – Research is expected to autonomously manage the contributions of other reporting parties, coordinating with the individuals’ line managers where necessary.
• For assigned projects, the Associate Director – Research will coordinate all inputs from accounts teams, research analysts and digital/social insight managers, as well as from third party vendors, to produce coherent and dispassionate reports.
• This role will see the use of many different supply partners providing research and insight. A core responsibility is to manage the prompt and efficient delivery of these inputs, and to find solutions to late delivery or unagreed changes of scope.
• Assist the (Senior) Research Director in designing formative and evaluative research instruments; liaise with research companies that deliver the instruments; report the findings of the primary research in a clear, articulate and timely manner; and assist with optimising the project’s strategy and delivery.
• Contribute to delivering internal training programmes to the other members of the Insights team, both in the Europe geography and across World Services more generally. Helping to identify skills gaps and to propose and deliver programmes of instruction for the team.
• Responsible for enhancing the Senior Research Director – Regional Lead’s ability to manage their regional team through regular reporting, consultation and advice.

ABOUT YOU What you bring (knowledge, expertise, experience, and skills):

• Minimum 5 years relevant research, monitoring and evaluation experience.
• Experience in evaluating behavioural change is a requirement.
• Experience working on projects in developing countries and/or fragile states would be extremely advantageous.
• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a relevant field.
• Experience designing and conducting both quantitative and qualitative research studies is a requirement.
• Experience with designing and conducting digital and/or innovative research projects would be an advantage.
• Experience managing research projects from design to report writing.
• Experience evaluating the impact/effectiveness of multimedia communications activity, particularly digital‑led communications campaigns.
• Strong skill and confidence with quantitative analysis (with experience using SPSS, R, Stata, or other statistical packages).
• Good communication skills including experience presenting research findings and explaining technical concepts to multiple stakeholders including non‑researchers, clients, etc.
• Experience designing logical frameworks (logframes) and assessment strategies.
• Data visualisation skills and experience using data visualisation software such as Tableau would be a bonus.
• A strong work ethic with ability to stick to deadlines is essential.
• Interest in and/or previous experience working in Central and/or Eastern Europe is an advantage, as is knowledge of relevant language(s) (i.e., Russian, Georgian, Serbo‑Croat, Romanian).

WHAT WE OFFER A competitive salary and benefits package that includes 27 days 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 and Inclusion sees us offer inclusive bank holidays. We also offer learning opportunities around D&I, targeted mentoring programmes 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. M+C Saatchi Group has pledged its commitment to create a company that values difference, with an inclusive culture. 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).