At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a new research function, designing impactful projects and collaborating across the organisation.
- Company: Join Social Work England, a national regulator dedicated to positive change in social work.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and a supportive, inclusive culture.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career development opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives through innovative research and strategic leadership.
- Qualifications: Experience in research design, stakeholder management, and team leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 63526 - 65924 € per year.
We’re looking for a Head of Research to establish and lead our new research function, setting our organisation’s research agenda and strategic direction from the very beginning, embedding a culture of rigour, ethics and inclusivity.
Leading a team of research professionals, you’ll design and deliver in-house research projects, commission independent studies, and collaborate across our organisation to translate evidence into recommendations. Your work will deepen our understanding of the profession we regulate and support our mission to protect the public. This is a unique opportunity to create something new and different, for a national organisation at the cutting edge of regulation and developments in social work.
The Organisation
Social Work England is the specialist regulator for social work in England, focused on enabling positive change in social work. Every day, social workers support millions of people to improve their chances in life. We believe in the power of collaboration and share a common goal with those we regulate – to protect the public, enable positive change and ultimately improve people’s lives.
What you will do
In this role, you’ll create, develop and lead a high impact research function that is insight led, innovative and aligned to our strategy. Key responsibilities include:
- Developing, commissioning and delivering research that supports effective regulation and organisational priorities.
- Using quantitative and qualitative approaches to generate robust evidence, balancing rigour with resources and competing priorities.
- Building and maintaining effective relationships with regulatory partners, research organisations and academic institutions; representing us in national research forums.
- Leading and developing our new team, setting clear priorities, and fostering a culture of performance, curiosity, learning and continuous improvement.
- Overseeing research commissioning with strong governance, ethics, co-production and inclusivity embedded throughout.
- Monitoring developments in social work and regulation; analysing findings and advising leaders on implications, risks and opportunities.
- Producing and presenting concise, accessible research outputs, suitable to a wide range of audiences.
- Driving strategic decision-making, role-modelling our values, and playing a leadership role in our directorate and organisation more broadly, including deputising for senior leaders as needed.
About you
At Social Work England, our values are at the heart of everything we do. We are fearless, independent, ambitious, transparent, collaborative and we act with integrity. We’re looking for colleagues who live these values every day. In addition, for this role you will need:
- Significant experience of designing and delivering research, including commissioning independent studies.
- Significant experience of defining research questions and using quantitative and qualitative methods to generate actionable evidence.
- Excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills, with evidence of working in a complex, multi-stakeholder and multi-disciplinary environment.
- The ability to build and develop connections across networks within the research and regulatory sectors.
- Experience of strategically leading teams, setting clear priorities and objectives.
- A track record of co-production, creativity, and delivering benefits through strategic programmes of work.
- A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in both research practice and service delivery.
Sound like you? We’d love to hear from you. Apply now to lead a research function that supports effective regulation and makes a real difference to people’s lives.
The Benefits
In addition to your salary, we also offer:
- Hybrid working, with a minimum of two days per week in the office.
- 25 days annual leave, rising with service to 30 days per annum, plus bank holidays.
- The option to purchase up to an additional 5 days of annual leave per annum.
- A TIDE award-winning inclusive culture, with staff networks, social events and forums.
- A contributory NEST pension, life insurance, an employee recognition scheme and cycle to work scheme.
Details
Job type: Permanent
Working pattern: Full time. We offer flexible working subject to business need.
Salary: £63,526 per year, rising to £65,924 per year after successful completion of a 6-month probationary period.
Location: Sheffield/Hybrid
Application
During the application process, you'll be asked to provide answers to three questions from the job description. These answers will be what your application is scored on, please answer in as much detail as possible using examples where necessary.
Head of Research in Conisbrough employer: Social Work England
At Social Work England, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous improvement. As the Head of Research, you will have the unique opportunity to shape a new research function that directly impacts social work regulation, supported by a hybrid working model, generous annual leave, and a commitment to employee well-being through various benefits. Join us in Sheffield to lead innovative research initiatives that make a meaningful difference in people's lives while enjoying a supportive and award-winning workplace culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Research in Conisbrough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the social work and research sectors. Attend events, join forums, and connect on LinkedIn. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that Head of Research role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio of your past research projects and successes. When we get the chance to chat with potential employers, having tangible examples will help us stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by rehearsing answers to common questions about research methodologies and team leadership. We want to come across as confident and knowledgeable when discussing our vision for the new research function.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, it shows we’re genuinely interested in being part of the Social Work England team and contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research in Conisbrough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly:Before you start writing, make sure you understand what we're looking for. Dive into the job description and highlight key responsibilities and skills. This will help you tailor your application to show how you fit the bill.
Use Specific Examples:When answering the questions, don’t just list your skills. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate how you've successfully led research projects or built relationships in complex environments. We want to see your impact!
Showcase Your Values:At StudySmarter, our values are super important. Make sure to weave in how you embody our values of collaboration, integrity, and inclusivity throughout your application. This will help us see if you're a good cultural fit!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Social Work England
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the latest trends and developments in social work research. Familiarise yourself with key studies and methodologies that align with the organisation's goals. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head of Research, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how you foster a culture of performance and inclusivity. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on collaboration and continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Given the importance of building relationships with regulatory partners and academic institutions, think about how you would approach stakeholder management. Prepare examples of how you've navigated complex environments and built effective partnerships in previous roles.
✨Align with Our Values
At Social Work England, our values are crucial. Reflect on how your personal values align with ours—fearlessness, independence, ambition, transparency, collaboration, and integrity. Be ready to share instances where you've embodied these values in your work, especially in research contexts.
