Senior Researcher; Economics and Impact

Senior Researcher (Economics and Impact)

Note for applicants: We are hiring two roles at this level with different focus areas. Read both descriptions carefully, then apply for the role that fits your skills and experience best.

At BOP we’re committed to building an inclusive workplace. If you have a disability or require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know. We’re happy to accommodate your needs to help ensure a fair and accessible experience for every applicant. We actively encourage applications from people who can bring diverse perspectives to our work, especially those whose lived experiences are underrepresented in our sector.

Salary (commensurate with experience): £30,750 – £38,950 for Senior Researchers.

There is structured scope for progression for each role.

Contract type: Full time, Permanent

Location: Manchester or London (Manchester preferred). Minimum two days per week in the office following probation, three days during probation.

Travel: Regular UK and international travel.

Reporting to: Chief Economist

Annual leave: 25 days holiday (including 5 days during the Christmas closure period) plus bank holidays.

Pension: 5% matched.

Summary of required skills: Strong quantitative and economic analysis skills, comfortable with impact studies, Green Book business cases and evaluations, and proficient using Excel for modelling. Requires sharp critical reasoning and clear writing to translate complex analysis into well‑structured reports for clients.

A senior researcher is responsible for conducting research and analysis and communicating it clearly in reports and slide decks. Every researcher works within multiple project teams and must coordinate and plan their own workload.

• Conduct economic impact analysis on a major venue, festival or sector.
• Provide economic modelling as part of an evaluation of a creative sector intervention.
• Consult with stakeholders to understand the latest trends in the theatre sector.
• Draft a set of slides based on a survey of creative businesses, to show the key factors driving their business growth.
• Talk a client through early findings to help develop and refine our analysis.

As a senior researcher you will be expected to undertake a range of research and consultancy tasks across our portfolio of economics, research and evaluation work.

• Set up and run economic impact models.
• Provide punchy, insightful, and clear analysis, including the use of specialist software if relevant.
• Set up surveys and field work (e.g., building online surveys and arranging programmes of interviews).
• Undertake telephone and in‑person interviews, focus groups and analysis.
• Report and presentation writing, including helping to shape a clear and coherent narrative.

Project manage smaller studies and parts of other studies, working closely with Project Directors, and maintaining high quality while keeping projects profitable.

Client management, ensuring our clients are engaged in the consultancy process.

Contribute to the tendering process (bidding and pitch preparation).

Additional duties may include project administration, communications and marketing activities, or wider operational activities such as knowledge management and cross‑company projects.

The role is primarily Monday to Friday during normal UK office hours, but flexibility is required to accommodate clients in different time zones or regions. A flexi‑working policy is in place.

Travel may be required as projects demand.

• 3+ years’ work experience in a consultancy business, research organization, or a BOP client area.
• High‑level quantitative research and analysis skills, including economic analysis, proficiency in Excel for modelling, and exceptional critical reasoning.
• Experience in impact studies, economic analysis, HM Treasury Green Book business cases, evaluations, or market/audience research.
• Strong report‑writing skills. Ability to write crisp business English, prepare well‑formatted reports, and present sharp analysis quickly.

• A relevant…