Research Manager

About the role

We’re excited to be recruiting a Research Manager to join WWF‑UK. In this role, you’ll lead the delivery of high‑quality qualitative and quantitative research that helps us better understand supporter attitudes, motivations, behaviours and barriers. You’ll turn evidence into clear, actionable insight that supports stronger decision‑making across WWF‑UK. You’ll manage a range of research activity, including brand tracking, supporter surveys, audience research, segmentation, benchmarking studies, CSAT surveys and industry trend analysis.

You’ll work closely with colleagues across Brand, Digital, Communications, Campaigns and Fundraising to embed evidence‑based thinking into planning, campaign development, supporter engagement and evaluation. You’ll also manage relationships with research agencies, ensuring work is well‑briefed, delivered to a high standard and provides value for money. Alongside this, you’ll help strengthen how research is commissioned, governed, shared and reused across WWF‑UK, including supporting ethical practice, GDPR compliance, commissioning guidance and the development of a central research repository.

This role is hybrid, with a minimum 40% of your contracted hours spent at our UK head office in Woking, Surrey.

Essential

• Proven experience delivering qualitative and quantitative research projects across the full research lifecycle
• Strong research expertise, including survey design, sampling, data interpretation and behavioural insight
• Experience managing research agencies, including briefing, quality checking, managing deliverables and maintaining strong working relationships
• Ability to translate research questions into clear briefs and apply the right methodology to generate actionable insight
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret findings and summarise them into clear strategic implications
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex insight clearly through narrative, visuals and recommendations
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple research projects and priorities
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and influence decision‑making without line authority
• Understanding of research governance, ethical practice and GDPR as it relates to research
• High level of digital and data literacy
• A clear commitment to WWF‑UK’s mission, values and ethical standards

Desirable

• Experience with brand tracking, audience surveys, segmentation models, benchmarking studies, CSAT surveys and industry trend analysis
• Experience supporting decision‑making in marketing, communications, campaigns, fundraising or supporter engagement settings
• Experience developing or applying audience frameworks, segmentation or insight tools in planning contexts
• Experience developing research processes, commissioning guidance or central insight repositories
• Experience using research or analysis tools, such as SPSS or analytics platforms
• Experience working in a charity, purpose‑led or complex stakeholder environment
• Qualification in research, marketing, behavioural science, social science or a related discipline

• Annual leave starting at 26 days a year pro‑rated, rising one day each year to 31 days plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options, to support your work life balance
• 5% employer contribution to pension, rising to 10% with employee contribution
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow
• Regular wellbeing initiatives to support your health and happiness

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

At the heart of our mission is a simple truth: the planet needs everyone. That means you – in all your uniqueness, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or how you choose to express yourself. We don’t do stereotypes. We work together with purpose, driven by passion and…