Research Director

Our research portfolio is growing, and we are looking for an exceptional and experienced Research Director to join Nat Cen’s Communities, Work & Income team.

Nat Cen researchers are leaders in survey design and delivery, analysis, evaluation, and qualitative methods. We have a reputation for excellence and our team is driven by a passion for exploration, learning and real-world impact.

The Communities Work and Income team holds an exciting portfolio of work. We work for a range of clients, delivering impactful research that is used to inform key policies. Our clients include DWP HMRC, DfT, the Home Office, Acas, and others. We work on mixed methods projects, quantitative research, qualitative research, evaluations and Rapid Evidence Assessments. We are a growing and ambitious team, and we are looking for an individual who will contribute to our growth and consolidate the business we already hold by delivering excellent research.

Examples of the kinds of projects we are delivering include:

• Large scale evaluations of programmes to support disabled people into work
• Quantitative and qualitative research to explore experiences of crime and harassment on public transport
• Evaluations of micromobility pilots
• Literature reviews on approaches to disability benefits
• Behavioural testing of changes to government services

While this role will be based within the Communities, Work and Income team, the successful candidate will be expected to work across the wider Policy Research Centre as needed.

• Have a proven record of delivering high quality social research and leading on multiple projects at any given time;
• Have a proven record of working independently and autonomously to lead research projects with minimal oversight;
• Be a mixed-methods researcher; with direct experience designing and leading qualitative and quantitative projects;
• Be a strong proposal writer, with demonstrable experience of winning work;
• Be excellent at analysis, report writing and communicating research outputs in different formats, including presenting to senior audiences;
• A proven track record of managing and delivering high-quality studies and helping to ensure their delivery to time and budget;
• Have strong project management skills and be able to work well under pressure and to manage competing deadlines effectively;
• Have line management experience and the ability to effectively lead project teams;
• Be a good communicator and work well as part of a team;
• Have a track record of building positive relationships with customers, funders, and/or partners.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Holiday

25 days’ holiday plus 8 bank holidays. Leave increases to 30 days after 3 years’ employment.

Pension

All new employees will be automatically enrolled on the pension scheme 3 months from their start date unless stated otherwise. The minimum employee contribution is 3% and the maximum employer contribution is 5% of salary. If the employee does not wish to contribute to the pension scheme, there will be a process that will be in place for them to follow to opt out of the scheme for a limited period.

Staff can also join our defined contribution pension scheme. The minimum employee contribution is 4% and the maximum employer contribution is 7.5% of salary. You can join this pension from when you start working with us.

Life Insurance

All employees are eligible for a lump sum benefit payable to the named beneficiary (this does not have to be a spouse, partner or dependent, and can be split between beneficiaries) on the employee’s death of 5 times their annual salary. Beneficiary form must be completed – further details can be found when you start working with us.

Nat Cen Rewards

This is an online employee benefits scheme featuring discounts at over 800 retailers and service providers in the UK, both online and in store.

Health Cash Plan

Employees can sign up to healthcare cash plan which lets you claim back the cost of treatments, such as laser eye treatment, dental treatment, physiotherapy, hospital scans etc. You can pay as little as £1.20 per week, and when you receive treatment, you send the details to the provider and it reimburses you, depending on the terms of your cash plan.

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