Qualitative Researcher | Social Purpose in City of London

As a Qualitative Researcher in this purpose-led team, you’ll help answer the question: How can we make life a little fairer for those who are often overlooked? This is research that makes a difference, work that changes how organisations treat people and how essential services are designed for those who are too often left out of the conversation.

You’ll join a small, values-driven insight team that partners with major brands (mainly in the financial services, energy & utilities sector) and community organisations/charities to bring lived experiences into focus. Together, you’ll help businesses in sectors like banking understand what life looks like for real people, and how they can create more inclusive, accessible and fair services.

The work is varied, human and deeply meaningful. One week you might be exploring how the cost-of-living crisis affects families managing their finances; the next, you could be running an Inclusive Design Panel focused on accessibility or digital confidence. Every project connects you with lived-experience experts, charities and business leaders who want to do better for their customers and for society.

You’ll manage qualitative projects from start to finish, helping to design and plan research sessions, managing logistics and safeguarding, and moderating conversations that uncover the “why” behind behaviour. It’s a role for someone who combines empathy with precision - you’re a natural communicator who can put people at ease, spot themes in the detail, and turn qualitative insight into stories that inspire action.

You’ll thrive here if you have a background in qualitative research, ideally from a research agency, social research consultancy or the Insights team at a charity, and you’re ready to use your skills for something that genuinely matters.

We’re looking for someone who can bring:

• Strong qualitative experience - particularly moderation, analysis and storytelling (skilled moderation skills is KEY to success in this role; c 2-4 years)
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects calmly and confidently
• Empathy and curiosity - you’re a natural listener who draws out meaningful insight from every conversation
• A clear, engaging writing style, capable of turning complex findings into compelling narratives
• A values-led mindset - someone who believes that commercial outcomes and social good go hand in hand (this is really important!)
• Familiarity with the financial services products/apps (lived experience is sufficient, but you must be keen on working with these types of clients as they improve the design and accessibility of their products)

Desirable:

• Awareness of inclusive design, accessibility, or customer vulnerability
• Experience collaborating with charities, social enterprises, or community organisations

If this sounds like the kind of research you want to be part of, where insight has purpose and people are treated with empathy, we’d love to hear from you. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK from January 2026 onwards, as visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

This is a hybrid role (ideally 2/3 days at the office), so you MUST be based in London. Sadly, due to the high volume of applications, we’re unable to respond to individuals directly. If you don’t hear from us within 7 days, please assume your application has not been successful.

The process will begin with a Discovery Call and a Competency-Based Interview. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to a video call with the SLT, followed by an in-person interview at the office involving a task. The interview process is simple and respectful of your time: an initial online conversation to explore your approach to qualitative research, followed by an in-person discussion and a short practical exercise focused on inclusive design and moderation style.