At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research on crime, justice, and security while managing diverse projects.
- Company: Join NatCen, the UK's largest independent social research organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid work, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with excellent growth potential and support for your career.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public policy and contribute to vital social issues.
- Qualifications: Strong mixed-methods research skills and experience in criminal justice or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 28 May 2026
Department: Policy Research Centre
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: London (Hybrid)
Reporting To: Gayle Munro
Description
Competitive (depending on experience) London | Hybrid Full time | Permanent
Role details
Location: London (Hybrid - 3 days in the London office, 2 days from home)
Reporting to: Director of Crime, Justice and Security
Team: Crime, Justice and Security team, Policy Research Centre
NatCen is looking for an exceptional Research Director to join its Crime, Justice and Security team within the Policy Research Centre. This is a senior mixed-methods research leadership role for someone who can design and deliver high-quality research, win new work and build trusted relationships with clients and partners. The team works across complex and high-profile public policy issues including offending behaviour, extremism and radicalisation, violence against women and girls, victims and witnesses of crime, youth justice, access to justice and policing. This role will lead and shape a portfolio of research and evaluation work while also playing a critical role in growing the pipeline and securing new projects. The successful person will bring the credibility to operate with minimal supervision, lead projects with confidence, manage senior stakeholders and strengthen the team's capability in survey and quantitative work alongside existing qualitative strengths. This is an opportunity to combine research leadership, commercial contribution and visible impact in one of the UK's best-known independent social research organisations.
Key Responsibilities
- You will lead high-quality mixed-methods research and evaluation projects from design through to delivery, ensuring work meets client expectations and NatCen's standards.
- You will take ownership of proposals and contribute to winning new work, from smaller opportunities through to major strategic bids.
- You will manage and develop project teams, maintain oversight of budgets, timelines and quality, and build strong relationships with clients, commissioners, partners and colleagues across NatCen.
- You will also contribute flexibly across the wider Policy Research Centre where needed.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
We are looking for a strong mixed-methods researcher with confidence across qualitative and quantitative research design and delivery. You will bring demonstrable experience of proposal writing and winning funded research or evaluation work, along with a track record of delivering high-quality projects to time and budget. You will be comfortable operating independently in a senior role, with strong project leadership, line management, stakeholder management and communication skills. Experience in criminal justice, policing, youth justice, victims, access to justice, online harms or closely related public policy areas will be highly relevant. Experience in evaluation methods, including theory-based evaluation, will be an advantage. Relevant backgrounds could include social research or evaluation involving prisons, probation, youth offending, local authorities supporting young people at risk, or other adjacent justice and public policy settings.
Job Benefits
As well as a competitive salary, attractive bonus structure and excellent working environment (including a home/office hybrid working environment), you will be working for the largest independent social research organisation in the UK. We are proud of the benefits we offer our employees which include:
- 25 days' annual leave (plus 8 bank holidays), increasing to 30 days after three years' service, with flexible working available.
- Generous company pension scheme
- Life insurance and health cash plan
- Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan
- Career development, professional subscriptions support and mentoring support from industry-leading experts
Our Values & Behaviors
- We Are Curious: Uses data to improve field performance and delivery; Explores new approaches to workforce management
- We Move with Purpose: Drives delivery against operational targets; Aligns workforce planning to demand
- We Act with Integrity: Ensures fair and compliant field practices; Maintains quality and ethical standards
We are proud to say we are a Disability Confident Committed Employer, so if you require any reasonable adjustments during the interview process please make us aware and we will endeavor to support you to help you showcase your best self during our hiring process.
Research Director, Crime, Justice and Security employer: the National Centre for Social Research
The National Centre for Social Research is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values collaboration and innovation. With a focus on employee growth, you will have access to professional development opportunities while enjoying a competitive salary and generous leave provisions in the vibrant city of London. This role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact in social research but also provides the flexibility of a hybrid working arrangement, making it an attractive choice for those seeking rewarding employment.
Contact Details:
the National Centre for Social Research Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Director, Crime, Justice and Security
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the crime, justice, and security sectors. Attend events, join relevant online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio of your past research projects and evaluations. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your insights and experiences. This will demonstrate your capability and confidence in leading high-quality research.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by understanding the latest trends in crime and justice research. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their needs. We recommend practicing common interview questions and having examples ready that highlight your project leadership and stakeholder management skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, get your application in and let’s make an impact together!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Director, Crime, Justice and Security
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Research Director role. Highlight your experience in mixed-methods research and any relevant projects you've led that align with our focus areas like crime, justice, and security.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you’ve successfully managed teams and projects in the past. Share specific examples of how you’ve built relationships with clients and stakeholders, and how you’ve delivered high-quality research on time and within budget.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point while showcasing your skills and experience.
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 this exciting opportunity with NatCen.
How to prepare for a job interview at the National Centre for Social Research
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the latest trends and issues in crime, justice, and security. Familiarise yourself with NatCen's recent projects and publications. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their work.
✨Showcase Your Mixed-Methods Expertise
Be ready to discuss specific examples of your mixed-methods research. Highlight how you've successfully integrated qualitative and quantitative approaches in past projects. This is crucial for a role that demands strong leadership in both areas.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions
Expect questions about managing senior stakeholders and building relationships. Prepare anecdotes that demonstrate your ability to navigate complex dynamics and maintain strong partnerships. This will showcase your readiness for a senior role.
✨Demonstrate Your Proposal Writing Skills
Since winning new work is a key responsibility, be prepared to discuss your experience in proposal writing. Bring examples of successful bids you've led and explain your approach to crafting compelling proposals that meet client needs.
