Associate Research Director - Public Communications

Our client bridges the gap between government and the public, providing robust research and analysis. Covering broad issues that shape the delivery of public services in modern society and how to engage the public in the policy-making process.
This vacancy is within the Public Communications Team, supporting a range of work to provide insights and evidence to communications teams across the public sector. We work with clients to enhance communications activity and drive positive social change.

The role…
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced researcher to lead high-profile studies and accounts informing Government communications, as well as leading on competitive bids and business development to further grow our business.
We are ideally looking for a someone with mixed-methods experience, though are open to someone with primarily qualitative or quantitative research experience.
The main responsibilities will include:

• Leading proposals and revenue generation, including making pricing recommendations.
• Contributing to the successful running of fast-turnaround qualitative and quantitative research studies, with a particular focus on communications scoping, testing and evaluation.
• Communicating effectively with clients, internal and external suppliers, policymakers and internal colleagues, both in writing and verbally.
• Supporting junior team members.
• Signing off deliverables (questionnaires /discussion guides, presentations and reports) which meet client and stakeholder requirements, utilising innovative approaches.
• Effectively managing relationships with suppliers and internal operations colleagues.

What do I need to bring with me…
This role will suit candidates who enjoy working closely with clients, often delivering at a fast pace.
We are looking for someone with:

• Experience in writing winning proposals.
• Desire to work closely with clients to maintain and grow our contracts.
• Excellent qualitative and/or quantitative research skills: able to lead multiple projects and support junior members of the team to develop their research and project management skills.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines to deliver profitable work and assure quality of all outputs.
• Ability to lead development of high quality research materials which answer client objectives.
• Ability to understand and interpret complex qualitative and quantitative data to draw out a clear narrative and insight to inform client decision making.
• Excellent client handling and supplier negotiation skills.
• Confident and clear written and verbal communication skills, including experience of preparing presentations (and ideally written reports) with a high level of accurate use of English.
• Proven ability to work well in teams
• An interest in public sector communications, ideally with relevant experience