Research Manager

The Role 

Westco is looking to recruit a talented Research Manager to support the Executive Research Director and Research Director in a range of projects - mainly focussing on local authority clients. Westco is looking to grow due to the current client demand and to continue developing new business opportunities. This is a real opportunity for the right candidate to help expand our client base and our consultancy offer. 

The Candidate 

The candidate will need to be organised with impeccable attention to detail. You’ll be able to manage multiple tasks and tight deadlines with confidence and ease. But you’re also ambitious and hardworking, with heaps of initiative, self-motivation, confidence and a vibrant and engaging personality.

Your excellent communication skills, both written and orally, will be demonstrated by your clear and calm personal style and ability to generate and build relationships with people at all levels.

We’ll be expecting you to exhibit a ‘can do’ attitude, showing that you’re willing to help out the team and work on ad-hoc projects as required by the agency. This role will suit someone who can quickly get to grips with projects, is level headed, diligent and pragmatic, not averse to fieldwork and will enjoy getting involved in all stages of project development and delivery. 

Person Specification

It is essential that you have experience in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and techniques. You will lead on various projects and will have line management responsibility in this role, so experience in both is ideal, but not essential.

You will have at least 2 years’ experience working in a fast paced research agency and will have some experience in project management from proposal through to presenting. 

You will seek opportunities to attend conferences, training, seminars or other external events that would provide attendees with intelligence about the research marketplace and help to build their specialist research knowledge.

You will represent Westco in a professional and ethical manner at all times. You will need to operate with a strong commercial awareness in order to maximise opportunities and ensure business is being generated and retained.

All Westco Insight Team employees are expected to comply with the MRS code of Conduct and adhere to our ISO quality standards.

Experience

Experience in the following are essential for this role:

• Quantitative research methodologies (including technical knowledge of sample design, statistical testing ,weighting, quotas, confidence intervals etc) and tools including online communities
• Experience of working on consultation and/or engagement projects
• Excellent questionnaire design skills
• Building and maintaining client relationships on a day to day basis
• Supporting junior members of staff and delegation of tasks
• Project management - co-ordinating and managing project tasks for small and large and more complex projects with minimal guidance
• Experience of running market research and consultation projects (including responding to briefs, survey design, analysis, report writing and presentation to clients - with minimal guidance)
• Excellent report writing skills

Experience in the following are desirable for this role:

• Qualitative research methodologies (including design of sample, preparing qualitative research materials, conducting qualitative fieldwork, analysis and reporting)
• Good knowledge of SPSS and Excel
• Wide knowledge of the local authority landscape
• Presenting to senior colleagues
• Knowledge of ISO quality procedures

This is not an exhaustive list, and you will be expected to be flexible in your approach to carrying out your duties, that may change from time to time to reflect changes in the company’s circumstances.

Education and qualifications

Educated to degree level in a relevant subject. Fluent written and spoken English is essential.

Salary and benefits

• Basic up to £37,000 based on experience
• Great benefits package
• Opportunity to develop into a consultative and strategic role
• Be part of a fast growing and respected team