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- Tasks: Lead high-quality survey projects and manage research teams.
- Company: Join NatCen, a leader in social research with a focus on impactful data.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a difference through innovative research while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in survey delivery and project management is essential.
- Other info: Open to diverse backgrounds; ideal for those looking to progress in research.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 46000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Application Deadline: 8 April 2025
Department: Social Surveys
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: London/Edinburgh
Reporting To: Curtis Jessop
Compensation: GBP 40,000 - GBP 54,616 / year
We are looking for an exceptional researcher to take the position of Research Director on the NatCen Opinion Panel. The NatCen Opinion Panel is Britain's longest running random probability-based panel and is designed to enable researchers to collect survey data from a high-quality sample more quickly and at lower cost than 'traditional' methods. Projects are conducted with a range of clients, including government departments and academia, and cover a variety of topics - from attitudes to gender roles to experiences of working in the hidden economy or views on transitioning to low-carbon heating. In the last few years the demand for research using the Panel has continued to grow and we are looking to expand our team to allow us to continue to innovate and meet this demand.
Your main responsibility will be leading the successful delivery of Panel surveys to budget and timetable, following established processes and driving continuous improvement to produce high quality data outputs that meet client requirements. This role would therefore particularly suit a candidate with experience in this area, and we are open to applications from people from a range of backgrounds. You would also be responsible for identifying and securing funding and client relationship management. You will also have the opportunity to contribute more widely to the team and organisation, for example taking on line-management responsibilities, leading analysis and reporting, innovation and process development, and ensuring that our research has impact in society.
Key Responsibilities- Survey Design & Delivery: Leading the end-to-end delivery of high-quality surveys using the NatCen Opinion Panel, including overseeing survey delivery approach, managing survey operations, and taking responsibility for quality-assuring study outputs.
- Team & Resource Management: Providing leadership and support to the research team, overseeing budgets and project timelines.
- Research outputs: Overseeing the design and delivery of high-quality research outputs that are robust and suitable for the target audience.
- Stakeholder & Client Engagement: Providing high-quality client service and establishing strong professional relationships with clients.
- Business Development, Growth, & Innovation: Leading on research proposals and costings, collaborating to drive continuous improvement.
This role would be suitable for an experienced senior researcher looking to progress in their career or looking to move from market research into social research. We are particularly interested in people with experience in survey delivery, but are open to applications from a range of backgrounds.
Essential- Experience of leading survey projects in social or market research
- Excellent project management skills
- Ability to work flexibly and proactively on multiple concurrent research projects
- Ability to work autonomously and manage own workload
- Experience working with data
- Attention to detail and a strong commitment to quality
- Commitment to building and maintaining good relationships with partners and customers.
- Ability to build, manage and sustain internal relationships
- Ability to work in a process-driven project environment
- Proficient in MS Office - in particular MS Excel
- A track record of securing funding for high quality social or market research.
- Experience delivering research conducted using online panels
- Demonstrable survey research methodological knowledge
- Demonstrable skills in survey data analysis and reporting
- Experience of leading, managing and developing teams.
- Ability to think strategically and align activities with wider team and organisational goals
- Proficient in data management & analysis software (e.g. SPSS, R)
- 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) and flexible working
- 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.
Research Director - NatCen Opinion Panel employer: the National Centre for Social Research
Contact Detail:
the National Centre for Social Research Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Director - NatCen Opinion Panel
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the NatCen Opinion Panel and its methodologies. Understanding how this panel operates and the types of surveys it conducts will give you a significant edge in interviews, allowing you to speak knowledgeably about its impact and relevance.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the social research field. Attend relevant conferences or webinars where you can meet current employees or industry experts. This can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading survey projects. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've managed timelines, budgets, and team dynamics in previous roles, as these are crucial for the Research Director position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to secure funding and manage client relationships. Think of instances where you've successfully developed proposals or maintained strong partnerships, as this will demonstrate your capability in business development and stakeholder engagement.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Director - NatCen Opinion Panel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in survey design and delivery, project management, and client engagement. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead research projects and manage teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for social research and explain why you are the ideal candidate for the Research Director role. Mention your experience with survey methodologies and your commitment to quality outputs.
Showcase Your Skills: Emphasise your proficiency in data analysis software like SPSS or R, as well as your project management skills. Highlight any experience you have in securing funding for research projects, as this is a desirable skill for the role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and commitment to quality.
How to prepare for a job interview at the National Centre for Social Research
✨Showcase Your Research Experience
Make sure to highlight your previous experience in leading survey projects, especially in social or market research. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed survey delivery and ensured high-quality outputs.
✨Demonstrate Project Management Skills
Since this role requires excellent project management abilities, come ready to explain how you manage multiple concurrent projects. Share any tools or methodologies you use to keep everything on track and within budget.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Client relationship management is key for this position. Prepare to discuss how you've built and maintained strong professional relationships with clients in the past, and be ready to share strategies for effective communication and engagement.
✨Emphasise Innovation and Improvement
The role involves driving continuous improvement in research processes. Think of examples where you've introduced innovative solutions or improvements in your previous roles, and be ready to discuss how these changes positively impacted your projects.
