Research Officer in London

Warwick | Initially office-based (6 months) then hybrid | Exceptional benefits and progression

Are you an experienced research professional who wants the freedom to build something rather than simply inherit it? We are working exclusively with a respected national membership organisation that is investing in the redevelopment of its research and insight function. This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of research from end to end: shaping the original question, designing the methodology, engaging participants, analysing the evidence and turning the findings into reports that influence industry policy, media debate and organisational decision-making.

The opportunity

Research already plays an important role within the organisation, but activity has developed across different departments and systems over time. Your initial priority will be to bring this together and create a more consistent, credible and forward-thinking research operation. You will review existing surveys and reports, introduce clearer processes and protocols, improve response rates and sample sizes, and help the organisation make much better use of the valuable data it collects. This is not a maintenance role. You will have the scope to bring ideas, challenge existing approaches and influence how research is conducted across the organisation.

What you will be doing

• Manage research projects from initial concept through to final presentation.
• Work with internal teams to turn policy and business questions into effective research.
• Design surveys using appropriate question structures and conditional logic.
• Analyse quantitative and qualitative findings.
• Organise and facilitate focus groups, roundtables and stakeholder discussions.
• Improve survey engagement, participation and sample sizes.
• Produce compelling reports for members, senior leaders, policymakers and the media.
• Support policy colleagues with evidence for government engagement.
• Present findings to senior stakeholders and potentially parliamentary audiences.
• Build relationships with universities, industry bodies and external research partners.
• Explore new technology, systems and methods to strengthen the research function.
• Create a central, accessible approach to organisational data and insight.

About you

You are likely to have experience in research, insight, evaluation, policy research, membership research, social research or market intelligence. You will need to demonstrate:

• Experience managing research projects from beginning to end.
• Strong survey design and data-analysis skills.
• Confidence interpreting evidence and identifying the real story within the data.
• Experience producing clear reports for non-technical audiences.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Strong Excel skills and familiarity with survey or analytical software.
• The confidence to advise and challenge senior stakeholders constructively.
• The personality to engage directly with members, partners and external organisations.
• Plenty of ideas, energy and curiosity.

Experience within property, housing, a professional body, trade association or membership organisation would be useful but is not essential. The organisation is open to candidates from other sectors who can demonstrate strong research capability, sound judgement and a genuine interest in learning about the housing market.

Working arrangement

This role is based in Warwick. Because you will be building relationships and establishing the research function, you should expect to work from the office five days a week during approximately the first six months. Once established, the role is expected to move to the organisations usual hybrid arrangement, with a minimum of three office days per week.

Why consider it?

This is an opportunity to:

• Build and shape a research function.
• Influence national industry debate.
• Produce evidence used by policymakers and the media.
• Work closely with senior leaders.
• Introduce new ideas, technology and methodology.
• See your research translated into practical action.