Associate Director | Public Division | London, UK

Savanta are looking for an Associate Director to join our Public team, leading research projects as the day-to-day manager and first point of contact for clients.

About Us: Savanta is a leading data, market research and advisory company helping the world's leading brands make better decisions, faster. With over 500 people across offices in multiple countries, we combine deep research expertise, proprietary technology and high-impact consulting to give our clients a complete view of their markets, their customers and their competitors. Our Public team works with a fantastic set of clients seeking to answer interesting, and often complex, questions from informing government policy and communications, through to charities’ brand strategies and the design of universities’ courses. We see genuine impact from our research, often seeing our work published or making a visible difference in the world, such as informing a policy change or the launch of a new campus.

About the Role: As Associate Director, you’ll be tasked with leading, implementing and delivering first-class strategic research programs across a range of methodologies, and delivering insightful recommendations that help drive value within our most high-profile clients. Ideally, the role is mixed methodology (although with a priority focus on quantitative). There is a high level of responsibility for delivering high-quality custom research through first-class project-management, delegation, and progression of day-to-day activity while ensuring clients are kept informed and that any project issues are swiftly resolved. As an AD, you will have your own portfolio of accounts that you will be responsible for in terms of revenue target, client satisfaction, and growth. You will be part of a team that strives to make efficiencies, whilst improving the quality of deliverables and looks to increase profitability on an ongoing basis. A key requirement is to have a tech-first mindset as we look to implement new techniques, automation, and AI. This role is suited for a hands-on researcher ready to immerse themselves in the work and take ownership from day one. Beyond delivery, you’ll support the growth of junior colleagues through mentoring, training and day-to-day supervision. This role is based out of our London office with an expectation to be onsite 1-2 days per week.

About You: To fulfil the delivering of high-quality end-to-end primary research projects while being a trusted advisor to clients, the ideal candidate should have solid expertise in a research capacity and demonstrate a track record of:

• Strong experience in research methodologies and analytics (quant & qual).
• Ability to design research materials and approaches tailored to diverse client needs.
• Strong project management experience in a research or insight agency, ideally with experience in public, charity or higher education sectors, though we’re open to talented researchers with Commercial/Market Research background.
• Confidence managing client relationships and communicating with stakeholders at all levels.
• Commercial mindset with a track record of developing proposals and innovative solutions to client briefs.
• Confidence to challenge established practices and champion technology adoption.
• Natural curiosity and appetite for continuous learning; strong organisational skills; experience mentoring juniors.

It would also be great, though not essential, if you have:

• Good data & Tech skills — e.g. R, Python, data visualisation, or advanced AI tools.
• Qualitative research experience beyond standard methods, e.g. working with peer researchers or online communities.
• Experience running client workshops or embedding/activating research results within an organisation.

You will thrive in working in a fast-paced environment, being able to work autonomously whilst also providing support and leadership for others in the team.

And in return, Savanta offers:

• Salary range: £50,000 - £60,000
• Bonus / Commission scheme
• Unlimited annual leave
• Hybrid working
• Flexible working practices
• Ongoing Training & Development
• Health & Wellbeing package
• Financial Health (pension, life assurance, etc.)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Team & Company Socials
• Committees for Health & Well Being, Charities & Volunteering and DE&I

Why Join Us: The culture on our Public team is open and supportive, with bright, capable colleagues. There’s plenty of opportunity to grow, take the lead and progress, and a broad range of project sizes and values means real scope to take ownership early in your career. Part of the vibrant Next 15 Communications Group, we have an entrepreneurial and inclusive company culture that actively recognizes and values its people and offers unrivalled scope for career development, including mentoring, coaching as well as extensive training programs. The company was founded on the belief that tech should be integral to its success, and this culture of tech innovation makes us best placed to put Savanta at the heart of our clients’ businesses offering solutions before they even know the problem. Savanta is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and continuously strives to be an employer of choice. Our people are our greatest asset - we value workplace diversity and inclusion, oppose all forms of unlawful discrimination, and welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates of all backgrounds.

All candidates will be considered equally, however, unfortunately we are unable to offer visa sponsorship. We encourage authentic responses to demonstrate your experience and approach, rather than relying on Generative Al tools to write your cover letter or any questions in the application process. We may use Al Decoders as part of the review process and if answers match to a high extent that may be factored into the review.