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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative research projects and develop qualitative methods to drive impactful change.
- Company: Join a purpose-driven not-for-profit organisation focused on improving working environments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, hybrid working, and employee development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while enhancing your research skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme evaluation, advanced qualitative research skills, and strong communication abilities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 39600 - 49400 ÂŁ per year.
London or Leicester (with hybrid working)
The Organisation
Our client is a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on supporting better working environments and benefits packages for people across the country. They’re now looking for a Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods to join them on a full-time, permanent basis. Requests for flexible working will be considered with a minimum option of 0.6 FTE, working condensed hours with flexible start and finish times.
Your Rewards
- Salary of ÂŁ45,650 - ÂŁ59,080 per annum (pro rata for part-time), dependent on experience and location
- 31 days' holiday increasing to 33 days after 5 years’ service, of which 3 are shutdown days in addition to public holidays (pro rata for part-time)
- Company pension scheme with 8% employer contribution
- Group Life Assurance 3*salary
- Hybrid working (with 40%-60% of your time required in the office)
- Flexible working practices
- Employee Development Scheme
- Retailer Discounts
- Enhanced occupational maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay
- Enhanced occupational sick pay
- Eye care scheme
- Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme
- Gold award in Investors in People
This is an exceptional opportunity for a talented research and programme management professional to take their next step with a vital national charity. You’ve been invited to play a leading role across the organisation, providing training to upskill the team, supporting tenders to aid funding and driving change across research programmes, making this the perfect role for those who love challenge, thrive with variety and are eager to enhance their own skills. You’ll be joining a purpose‑driven organisation that delivers real impact locally and nationally and is enthusiastic about learning and improving, so you know this is the right role for both now and your future career.
Your Role
As the Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods, you will be taking on a brand new role directing research projects across all areas of our client’s work, developing research skills within the team and playing a vital role in tender responses. Specifically, you will provide leadership and expertise to programme and systems‑level evaluations and projects. You will utilise innovative or advanced qualitative methods, such as system mapping, co‑design methods, ethnographic methods, creative methods and/or theory‑based/realist evaluation, to ensure accurate outcomes for research. Working with colleagues to develop proactive research proposals, you will seek to build external relationships with funding commissioners and shape projects to deliver meaningful insights that solve the problems practitioners and policymakers face.
Additionally, you will:
- Line manage members of the R&D team
- Write and contribute to reactive and proactive funding proposals
- Identify potential research partners
- Ensure that all projects generate meaningful insights and recommendations
- Act as Project Director for research and evaluation projects
- Help develop appropriate comms and influencing plans for projects
About You
To be considered as the Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods, you will need:
- Experience of delivering and directing high‑quality programme evaluation and policy‑relevant research, shaping research plans, working with funders and delivering meaningful insights
- Experience of responding to research and evaluation tenders and writing proposals
- Experience of managing, supporting and developing researchers and research managers
- Advanced qualitative evaluation and research skills, e.g. one or more of theory‑based evaluation, ethnographic methods, creative/art‑based methods, co‑design methods, system‑level evaluation
- Effective and efficient relationship management skills
- A clear and direct written communication style
The closing date for this role is the 20th February 2026.
Equal Opportunities
Webrecruit and our clients are equal opportunities employers, value diversity, and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business, and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.
Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods employer: Webrecruit
Contact Detail:
Webrecruit Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field on LinkedIn or at industry events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. We want to see you shine, so practice answering common questions and think about how your skills align with their mission. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. We love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t hesitate to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. The more you put yourself out there, the better your chances of landing that role you’ve been eyeing.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Research: Evaluation and Qualitative Methods
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Research role. Highlight your experience in qualitative methods and programme evaluation, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your advanced qualitative evaluation skills have made a difference in past roles. We want to see real examples of your impact!
Be Clear and Direct: Use a straightforward writing style in your application. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your communication is concise and to the point, reflecting the skills we value in this role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you 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!
How to prepare for a job interview at Webrecruit
✨Know Your Research Methods
Make sure you brush up on the advanced qualitative methods mentioned in the job description, like ethnographic and co-design methods. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these techniques in past projects and how they can benefit the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Research, you'll be managing a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in research settings. Highlight your experience in developing researchers and how you foster collaboration.
✨Prepare for Proposal Discussions
Since you'll be involved in writing funding proposals, think about your previous experiences with tenders. Be ready to share specific examples of successful proposals you've worked on and how you approached the process.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Effective communication is key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare a brief presentation on a relevant research topic to demonstrate your communication skills during the interview.
