Head of Research in Worcester

Do you have experience leading large-scale research projects and teams? Are you motivated by research that drives real change? Are you as comfortable giving a speech to a room full of academics and institutions as you are joining in the Christmas jumper quiz in a friendly and fun charity? Are you inclusive to your core and able to lead a team half of whom have lived experience? Mencap is looking for a Head of Research, and this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a passionate, skilled and impactful research team whose work sits at the heart of Mencap’s mission. The insights you and your team unearth will directly support our policy and influencing work to break down barriers and create a fairer society for people with a learning disability. You will have access to Mencap’s wide reaching networks and be able to see the knowledge you bring into the organisation make a real difference in the delivery of our many different services and programmes.

This role is a full time (37.5 hours per week), permanent role. We’re offering flexibility as to where this role is based, and we’re also open to discussions about part-time working.

As Head of Research, you will:

• Develop and deliver Mencap’s research strategy, shaping work that advances our mission and strengthens our influence across the sector.
• Lead accessible, robust and high-quality research projects, generating insights that deepen understanding of the lives of people with a learning disability.
• Champion inclusive and co-produced research, working alongside people with a learning disability and their families at every stage.
• Build strong partnerships with universities, research bodies and funders, unlocking new opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
• Share insights across Mencap, ensuring research influences policy, campaigning, communications, services, decision-making.
• Lead, support and develop your team, including Research Specialists and Research Assistants with lived experience, fostering excellence and inclusion.

What You Will Bring

We are looking for someone who has:

• Significant research leadership experience in the charity, academic or public sector.
• A strong track record in building research partnerships and securing funding.
• Expertise in accessible and co-produced research methods.
• Deep understanding of issues affecting people with a learning disability and their families.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, comfortable engaging with academic and non-academic audiences alike.
• A genuine commitment to inclusion, diversity, and Mencap’s values.

If you’re driven by rigorous research, passionate about inclusion, and ready to lead a team that makes a difference every day, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now with an updated CV; applications close on 25th February, with interviews to be held shortly thereafter.

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated. Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We’re here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in. At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues. Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

• Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.
• Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes.
• Everywhere people will feel respected, and safe to be themselves.

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long-term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies. We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.