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: Home-based or hybrid work with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by helping others perform at their best in meaningful research.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams and using data to drive performance is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 38000 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 23 August 2026
Department: Field Interviewers
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Home-based, UK
Compensation: £30,000 - £38,000 / year
Description:
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) in London 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) in London
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at National Centre for Social Research.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from National Centre for Social Research!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like National Centre for Social Research, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at National Centre for Social Research or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Field Performance Manager (FPM) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to National Centre for Social Research:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to National Centre for Social Research! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Centre for Social Research
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
