Head of Research and Policy (London)

Join to apply for the Head of Research and Policy role at The Sutton Trust. Ellwood Atfield are proud to be partnering with The Sutton Trust, the UK’s leading social mobility charity. The Sutton Trust believes that every young person should have a fair chance in life, regardless of their family’s income, the school they go to or where they grow up. But today in this country, the opportunity to succeed is heavily shaped by socio-economic background. The charity’s mission is to change this. Sutton Trust programmes empower young people to access life-changing opportunities, and its research influences national change to deliver a fairer future.

The opportunity: Reporting to the Director of Research and Policy, this key role sits within the trust’s integrated Communications, Research and Policy team. As the Head of Research and Policy the role will oversee a small research team producing original research internally, as well as commissioning work from external researchers and organisations. The successful applicant will have a deep interest in issues of educational equity, social mobility and increasing opportunity. You will combine a commitment to methodologically robust research with a passion for clear, impactful communication of findings and an eye for practical learnings. You will also be a natural ambassador, able to represent the charity in a range of settings.

Main responsibilities:

• Research: Leading the Trust’s portfolio of research, with the Director of Research and Policy, ensuring a regular and varied programme of policy-relevant research, including responsibility for its quality and accuracy.
• Overseeing colleagues and external organisations responsible for individual reports.
• Ensuring that Sutton Trust reports are accessible to practitioners and policy makers; editing and preparing reports for publication.
• Developing new ideas for research in consultation with the Director, as well as other Sutton Trust colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Authoring one or more original data-rich research reports each year, where appropriate.
• Managing the day-to-day work of two Research and Policy Managers, including pastoral support.
• Management of other team members as appropriate, and recruitment where relevant.
• Working with the Development team to identify possible funders and develop fundraising proposals and secure funding for the team’s work.
• Management of the research budget, ensuring value for money.

Policy and impact:

• Working with the Director of Research and Policy and colleagues, as well as external experts, to develop credible recommendations and policy proposals that help advance the Trust’s social mobility agenda.
• Working with Communications and Public Affairs team members to develop messaging and content for disseminating and publicising the Trust’s research findings and policy recommendations.
• Working with the Head of Communications and Public Affairs and other colleagues to support the advocacy work of the Trust, including responding to government consultations.
• Undertaking advocacy work, as required, with MPs’ staff, civil servants, special advisers and other policy makers.
• Representing the Trust externally at events, conferences, and with donors and other supporters, as well as through news media - both broadcast appearances and thought leadership articles.
• Working with colleagues in the Programmes team to ensure exchange of knowledge and expertise across teams.

Experience required:

• Proven experience designing, delivering, and communicating impactful original research which is robust and policy-relevant.
• Strong analytical skills and understanding of research methods, particularly quantitative research and fluency in tools like R, SPSS, Stata, or Python.
• Experience leading, managing or commissioning research delivered by others.
• Experience securing funding for research projects.
• A relevant degree or postgraduate qualification in a numerate discipline, or equivalent experience, with strong understanding of the British education system, social mobility, and public policy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience communicating research in the media.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, flexible team player with strong interpersonal skills.

Salary banding: £56,000-£64,000, dependent on experience.

Hybrid working: 2 days in the office base in Westminster.

DBS check may be required.

Holiday allowance: 29 days plus bank holidays.

How to apply: To apply, please submit the form below and include a copy of your CV.