At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team of field interviewers to deliver impactful social research.
- Company: Join the UK's largest independent social research organisation, NatCen.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by improving lives through social research.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams and using data to drive performance.
Application Deadline: 23 August 2026
Department: Field Interviewers
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Home-based, UK
Compensation: £30,000 - £38,000 / year
Description
Field Performance Manager (FPM) £30,000-£38,000 (depending on experience) Home-based | Hybrid (Ashton Gate/London office) Travel across England required Full time | Permanent Location: Home-based or hybrid working from the Ashton Gate/London office Reporting to: Head of External Field Team: Field Interviewers, Fieldworkers and Supervisors within an allocated team Instant Impact in partnership with NatCen (The National Centre for Social Research) are hiring a Field Performance Manager to lead and support a team of field interviewers and supervisors delivering some of the UK's most important social research studies. This role is all about helping people perform at their best. You'll use performance data, coaching and regular engagement to support fieldworkers, improve response rates and ensure high-quality fieldwork delivery. Working closely with colleagues across the wider Field and Operational teams, you'll play a key role in ensuring surveys are delivered efficiently, ethically and to the highest standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support a team of field interviewers and supervisors - providing coaching, guidance and regular performance management to help individuals succeed.
- Use performance data to drive results - identify trends, monitor delivery against targets and take timely action to improve response rates and quality.
- Be the first point of contact for your team - supporting fieldworkers with operational queries, survey rules, processes and pay-related questions.
- Develop and grow capability - identify training needs, support development plans and help interviewers maximise their performance.
- Work collaboratively across NatCen - partnering with allocation teams and internal stakeholders to resolve issues, manage risks and support successful delivery.
- Lead field engagement activities - including team meetings, field accompaniments and in-person management meetings where required.
- Support recruitment activity - helping identify future resourcing needs and participating in interviewer recruitment when required.
- Improve ways of working - identify opportunities to improve processes, systems and service delivery across the field operation.
- Champion high standards - ensuring compliance with operational standards, survey requirements and quality expectations.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Experience leading, managing or supervising people in a performance-focused environment.
- Strong coaching and development skills with the ability to motivate, support and challenge others.
- Experience using data and management information to make decisions and improve performance.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong problem-solving ability and a proactive approach to resolving issues.
- Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining high standards of service and delivery.
- Collaborative working style with a focus on building positive relationships.
- Knowledge of field operations, interviewer management or survey delivery would be advantageous.
- Previous experience as a field interviewer is beneficial but not essential.
If you're a people-focused leader who enjoys developing others, using data to drive performance and delivering high-quality operational outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.
Benefits
- 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) and flexible working
- Generous company pension scheme
- Life insurance and health cash plan
- Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan
- Career development, professional subscriptions support and mentoring support from industry-leading experts
About the National Centre for Social Research
At The National Centre for Social Research, we believe that social research has the power to make life better. By really understanding the complexity of people's lives and what they think about the issues that affect them, we give the public a powerful and influential role in shaping services that can make a difference to everyone. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation we're able to focus our time and energy on meeting our clients' needs and delivering social research that works for society.
Our Values & Behaviours
- We Are Curious - Uses data and insight to improve field performance and outcomes. Identifies opportunities to improve processes and ways of working.
- We Move with Purpose - Drives delivery against survey targets and operational standards. Takes action to address performance issues and delivery risks.
- We Act with Integrity - Supports fair, ethical and compliant field practices. Builds trust through openness, consistency and accountability.
We are proud to say we are a Disability Confident Committed Employer, so if you require any reasonable adjustments during the interview process please make us aware and we will endeavour to support you to help showcase your best self during our hiring process.
Field Performance Manager (FPM) employer: National Centre for Social Research
The National Centre for Social Research is an excellent employer, offering a flexible part-time role that allows you to make a meaningful impact in the community through vital research. With competitive pay, performance bonuses, and a supportive work culture that values communication and employee growth, you'll find a rewarding environment in Bournemouth that encourages your professional development while contributing to important social issues.
Contact Details:
National Centre for Social Research Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Field Performance Manager (FPM)
✨Leverage Local Networking Events
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Research potential competitors for National Centre for Social Research and tailor your approach based on what you find. Understanding their sales strategies will not only help you in interviews, but also give you better talking points when you connect with current employees or industry pros on platforms like LinkedIn.
✨Apply Through Our Website
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We think you need these skills to ace Field Performance Manager (FPM)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Sales Savvy:For a field-sales role like this one at National Centre for Social Research, highlight your previous sales experience prominently on your CV. Use specific numbers to showcase your achievements—think along the lines of 'exceeded sales targets by 20%' or 'expanded client base by 50%'. We want to see your skills in action!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your enthusiasm for the role at National Centre for Social Research, but also your understanding of the field sales landscape. Talk about what strategies you've successfully employed in past positions and how they could translate to success in this new role. This is your chance to shine!
Emphasise Interpersonal Skills:Field sales isn't just about the sale—it's about building relationships. Make sure to highlight your communication and negotiation skills in your application materials. We’re all about someone who can connect with clients, so weave those soft skills into your CV and cover letter.
Proof of Performance:If you have any sales certifications or training, definitely include those in your application. They add credibility and show your commitment to growing your sales skills. We believe in the power of ongoing development, so don’t hesitate to include those details to stand out to us at National Centre for Social Research.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Centre for Social Research
✨Show Off Your Sales Savvy
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of key sales techniques and terminologies. We can expect to dive into your past sales experiences, so be ready to discuss your approach to prospecting, closing deals, and managing client relationships. A few solid examples of your past successes could really make you stand out!
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Having a solid understanding of the products or services that National Centre for Social Research offers is essential. We want to hear how you would convey the value of these to potential clients and address any common objections they might have. If you can tie your knowledge back to real-life scenarios, that'll make your answers even more compelling!
✨Flex Your Adaptability Muscles
As a full-time field-sales rep, your day can be unpredictable. Be prepared to share how you've adapted your sales strategies to different situations or client needs. We love to hear stories where you’ve had to think on your feet or adjust your pitch mid-meeting—this shows you’re not just a one-size-fits-all salesperson!
✨Plan Your Questions Wisely
At the end of the interview, we'll likely ask if you have any questions for us. Use this opportunity to ask about the sales team's culture and the tools you'll be using out in the field. This not only shows your genuine interest in National Centre for Social Research but also helps you get a feel for whether you’d thrive in that environment.
