At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research projects and turn data into compelling narratives that drive business decisions.
- Company: Join The Independent, a pioneering digital news publisher with a commitment to independent journalism.
- Benefits: Enjoy a diverse workplace, career growth opportunities, and the chance to shape impactful stories.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team that values innovation, diversity, and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by understanding audiences and influencing editorial and commercial strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience in research, strong analytical skills, and a knack for storytelling with data.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Reports to: Director of Research & Insights
About Us
The Independent is an online news publisher that was established in 1986 as a national newspaper independent of party-political affiliations or proprietorial influence. In 2016, The Independent became a fully digital publisher, moving away from print in pursuit of sustainability and to safeguard its values and journalism for the future.
The Independent has always thrived through innovation and change. It was the first British newspaper to add a Saturday magazine; the first to give photography the same prestige as news copy; the first to challenge the Westminster lobby system of closed briefings; the first broadsheet to move to the more compact ‘tabloid’ format; the first to launch a concise quality compact paper; and the first – and only – major newspaper to pull off a successful transformation to fully digital publishing.
Through The Independent, Independent TV, eCommerce, indy100, subscriptions and other ‘reader revenues’, The Independent plans to continue the work of many decades, bringing much-needed independent journalism to over 100 million unique global visitors a month, and make its voice ever louder and more insistent the world over. We have an international editorial team with our main offices in London and New York.
In 2024, The Independent’s portfolio of brands increased through a new licensing partnership with BuzzFeed Inc. to operate the BuzzFeed brands in the UK - BuzzFeed UK, Tasty, Seasoned and HuffPost UK. The additional brands echo the existing business ethos and allow for increased audiences and a further strategic diversification of revenue streams.
Job Purpose
As part of the Research & Insights team, you’ll support insight generation for both the UK and US markets. Working closely with the Director of Research & Insights and senior team members across the company, you’ll help turn complex data into clear, strategic narratives that inform business decisions across departments. Your work will help to deepen our understanding of what motivates and engages our audiences. You’ll work with stakeholders across editorial, video, commercial, social, ecommerce, and data/marketing, supporting the business by running primary research, campaign effectiveness and managing our owned and operated reader panel/community.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We champion diversity in our teams and in our reporting. As a growing and global brand, we must have a workforce that’s more representative of our readers, viewers, clients and partners, and a workplace that creates a sense of belonging for everyone. We are committed to hiring and developing a diverse workforce regardless of background, and we support our people to thrive in their careers here. The Independent is an equal opportunities employer, if you require any reasonable adjustments to complete your application, please do not hesitate to advise us accordingly.
The Data & Marketing Department
The Data & Marketing department is the intelligence powerhouse of the business, representing the customer. Our goal is to inspire, engage and grow a loyal readership by harnessing data-driven insights and innovative marketing to deliver personalised, impactful content experiences that build lasting trust, diverse revenue streams, and a thriving future for quality journalism. The department consists of four teams: Data Science & Engineering, Data Intelligence & Monetisation, Research & Insight and Customer Marketing.
Research & Insights
The purpose of this team is to understand our brands, key verticals and audiences - identifying opportunities for optimisation and business growth. They do this by utilising best in class research and data storytelling techniques to deliver rich, meaningful insight to our commercial teams and the wider business.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities - what is delivered
- Lead and deliver custom primary research and campaign effectiveness projects end-to-end, including research design, survey writing, data analysis, reporting, and creating engaging presentations.
- Develop insight-driven narratives that go beyond numbers to uncover who our audiences are and what motivates them.
- Lead communication and content consumer research from early discovery and quantitative validation through to post-launch evaluation.
- Act as a holistic, audience-led thinker, connecting insights across multiple data sources to craft compelling, strategic stories.
- Provide reader, market, and competitor research to support the editorial, subscriptions, product, and strategy teams.
Skills and Experience
You’ve built solid experience running research from start to finish and love bringing insights to life. You’re as comfortable in the numbers as you are in the narrative, balancing quick wins with long-term strategic thinking.
Essential skills and experience include:
- Fully proficient in the end-to-end quantitative research process, from designing proposals and managing fieldwork through to creating debriefs and delivering presentations.
- A strategic problem-solver who can balance immediate business needs with long-term vision and insight-led thinking.
- Experience creating and designing clear, visually compelling slides or presentations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and an analytical mindset.
- Comfortable identifying trends and drawing conclusions from data.
- Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- Proactive and organised, with the ability to manage time and tasks effectively.
- A natural data storyteller, able to transform numbers into insight-driven recommendations.
Non essential but good to have:
- Experience growing and managing an own and operated audience panel/community.
- Ability to design campaign and ad effectiveness surveys and translate results into clear, actionable insights for post-campaign analysis.
- Management experience as this role's career growth path would include managing a team of analysts.
Our Values – you will deliver across all our values
- Inclusive: We champion diversity in our teams and in our reporting. Working as a team, we put transparency and effective communication at the heart of everything we do.
- Innovative: From the very beginning, The Independent has been breaking the mould. We take risks and are always looking to try new ideas in pursuit of excellence.
- Independent: Nobody tells us what to think; we make up our own minds and aren’t afraid to do things differently. Like our readers, we value honesty and integrity above outside influences.
Research & Insights Manager in London employer: The Independent
The Independent is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and inclusivity, making it an ideal place for a Research & Insights Manager to thrive. With a commitment to diversity and employee development, the company offers unique opportunities for growth within a dynamic digital environment, all while contributing to impactful journalism that reaches millions globally. Located in London, employees benefit from a vibrant city atmosphere and the chance to work alongside a talented international team dedicated to shaping the future of news.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research & Insights Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at The Independent. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching The Independent’s recent projects and initiatives. Show us you’re genuinely interested in our work and how your skills can contribute to our mission of delivering quality journalism.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! We love candidates who can turn data into compelling narratives. Think about how you can present your past research experiences in a way that highlights your insights and impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Research & Insights Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Research & Insights Manager role. Highlight your experience in running research projects and how you can turn data into compelling narratives that resonate with our audience.
Show Off Your Data Skills:We love a good data storyteller! In your application, showcase your ability to analyse data and draw insights. Include examples of how you've used data to inform business decisions or improve strategies in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We want to see your communication skills shine through, so make every word count!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at The Independent!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Independent
✨Know Your Data
Before the interview, brush up on your quantitative research skills. Be ready to discuss specific methodologies you've used in past projects and how they led to actionable insights. The Independent values data storytelling, so think about how you can present complex data in a clear and engaging way.
✨Understand the Audience
Familiarise yourself with The Independent's audience and their motivations. Research recent articles or campaigns that have resonated with readers. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of audience engagement and how your insights can drive business decisions.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
The role involves working closely with various teams, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight any cross-functional projects where your insights made a significant impact, showcasing your ability to connect insights across different data sources.
✨Prepare Insight-Driven Narratives
Think about how you can turn numbers into compelling stories. Prepare a few examples of how you've transformed data into strategic narratives in previous roles. This will not only show your analytical skills but also your ability to communicate effectively, which is crucial for this position.
