At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research to shape social work regulation and improve lives.
- Company: Social Work England, a forward-thinking regulator focused on positive change.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, generous leave, inclusive culture, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in social work through evidence-led insights.
- Qualifications: Experience in research development, leadership skills, and strong communication abilities.
The predicted salary is between 61408 - 68205 £ per year.
The Role
Social Work England are 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 are taking a new approach to regulating social workers in their vital roles.
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.
Working to the Head of Research, the role will lead and execute the organisation’s research activity gathering high quality evidence and insight to inform decision making, policy development and regulatory practice.
Our research manager will shape and deliver a strategic programme of research, combining commissioned external work with in-house projects to build a strong and credible evidence base.
Working closely with internal stakeholders, external partners and the wider research community, they will provide expert advice, oversee the delivery of research activity, and promote innovation in how insight is generated and used.
Through this role, they will strengthen the organisation’s understanding of key issues, enhance its external profile, and support its ability to deliver effective, evidence-led regulation.
What you will do
- Lead and deliver the organisation’s research, working closely with key senior leaders and colleagues across the organisation to propose and shape our research design and methodology to ensure our research is robust, evidence-based, and clearly aligned to organisational priorities.
- Lead the organisation’s approach to commissioned research and manage procurement from an annual research budget, applying strong public procurement and co‑production principles in commissioning.
- Alongside the head of research, provide expert and strategic advice to the executive leadership team and board, bringing knowledge of research in social work and regulation to ensure that the organisation is led by insight and evidence.
- Lead the development and application of robust research methodologies, ensuring our work is consistently shaped by high‑quality engagement, evidence and insight, and remains responsive to evolving business needs.
Develop and drive a systematic approach to managing research partnerships, strengthening our influence within key research communities and elevating our external profile.
- Provide leadership to direct reports and the wider team supporting development and providing constructive challenge and feedback.
Build capability and continuously improve ways of working, ensuring the work of the team is aligned to our strategic objectives.
- Make effective decisions based on the best available information, with an astute understanding of when to elevate risks, consult with colleagues from across the organisation, and involve executive leaders.
- Work effectively in matrix and project structures, working in a way that clarifies objectives, outputs and responsibilities for members, and contributes to clear, evidenced, advice and recommendations.
- Produce sector‑leading insight reports, analysis, and publications, paying high attention to detail and considering external publications strategies with our communications and external engagement colleagues.
- Own and improve our relationships with the research communities in social work and regulation.
Elevate our research reputation and national profile with researchers and academics.
- Deputise for the head of research where necessary, and act as an ambassador and advocate for our professional skills with internal stakeholders.
Speak to the role of research and undertake sound evaluative work to demonstrate our impact and performance.
- Take a prominent role on matters relating to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Consider the potential for bias in our thinking or any unintended impact of our work and take active measures to address this.
Support the head of equality, diversity and inclusion in gathering data and insight to inform action.
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
- Experience of research development and delivery, including the creation and management of independent research commissions, ideally in regulation and social work.
- Skills and experience in identifying research questions, using quantitative and qualitative research methods to explore lines of enquiry.
- Track record of researching complex issues, generating evidence to support organisation problem solving, reaching conclusions and making strategic recommendations to colleagues.
- Effective leadership skills with an ability to set clear objectives for team members and motivate them to deliver to a high standard, at times under pressure.
- Experience of undertaking and commissioning research with an expert understanding of research methods and sound procurement and coproduction principles.
- Experience of working in matrix‑style teams and in formats that cross organisational hierarchies to produce written products that reflect the breadth of the organisation’s expertise and interest.
- Ability to establish credibility, build positive working relationships and exert influence with senior colleagues and external stakeholders.
- Excellent organisation and time management skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present information on complex issues clearly and succinctly to a range of different audiences.
- Ability to present arguments orally in a fluent, persuasive manner to a variety of audiences.
- A proven role model for respectful, open and honest behaviour including a demonstrable commitment to inclusion and diversity.
- Strong IT skills with good working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word.
- The Benefits
- In Addition To Your Salary, We Also Offer
- Hybrid working
- 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: £49,358 per year rising to £51,768 per year after successful completion of a 6‑month probationary period.
- Location: Sheffield/Hybrid
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Research Manager in Sheffield employer: Social Work England
Social Work England is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture in the heart of Sheffield. Employees benefit from flexible working patterns, generous annual leave, and a robust pension scheme, all while contributing to the vital mission of maintaining a high standard of service for social workers and the public. With a focus on professional development, this role provides meaningful opportunities for growth within the organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Manager in Sheffield
✨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 Social Work England.
✨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 Social Work England!
✨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 Social Work England, 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 Social Work England 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 Research Manager in Sheffield
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 Social Work England:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Social Work England! 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 Social Work England
✨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.
