Location: UK-based | Hybrid
Salary: £35,000–£39,000
Salary: £35,000–£39,000
The Opportunity
An established, employee-owned market research and insight consultancy is seeking an experienced Research Manager to join a newly combined specialist team working across a diverse portfolio of sectors and research disciplines.
This is an exciting opportunity to work on meaningful, real-world research projects spanning cultural organisations, heritage, the arts, utilities and wider public-interest issues.
You will work across the full research lifecycle — from research design and fieldwork through to analysis, reporting and presenting actionable recommendations to clients.
The work combines large-scale quantitative programmes and in-depth qualitative research, often involving diverse, hard-to-reach audiences and giving people a voice in strategic decision-making.
The Role
As a Research Manager, you will manage the successful delivery of multiple research projects with a high degree of autonomy, taking responsibility for quality, client relationships, timelines and profitability. You will also manage and develop junior team members, contribute to business development and play an active role in the continued development of the wider organisation.
Projects may include:
- Understanding how customers engage with energy and water services.
- Supporting business planning and behaviour-change programmes.
- Exploring how audiences experience cultural spaces, heritage and the arts.
- Developing audience insight for cultural and public-interest organisations.
- Conducting research with diverse and hard-to-reach populations.
- Delivering strategic insight to inform investment and organisational decision-making.
Core Responsibilities
- Manage research projects throughout the full project lifecycle, from initial design through to final delivery.
- Implement project management and quality-assurance processes to ensure consistently high standards.
- Develop robust research tools, including questionnaires, screeners, discussion guides and research scripts.
- Manage fieldwork and operational teams, both internal and external.
- Ensure research tools and data outputs are accurate and error-free.
- Oversee raw data, tabulations, transcripts, notes and other research outputs.
- Conduct analysis and determine appropriate approaches for presenting findings.
- Produce high-quality reports containing clear commentary, conclusions and recommendations.
- Communicate directly with clients regarding the day-to-day management of projects.
- Present research findings and recommendations to clients alongside senior leadership.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
- Identify issues early and develop practical solutions to keep projects on track.
- Manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
- Delegate effectively to more junior team members.
- Train, mentor and support junior researchers in their day-to-day work.
- Line manage, appraise and develop more junior members of the team.
- Contribute to internal training programmes and knowledge-sharing sessions.
- Develop strong client relationships and build an understanding of client needs and sector dynamics.
- Contribute to business development and business-winning activity.
- Participate in wider organisational initiatives, working groups and strategic projects.
- Contribute ideas that improve processes, sustainability and the organisation’s wider social and environmental impact.
What We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in market research and insight, with experience managing projects from design through to delivery.
You will ideally demonstrate:
- Proven experience working within a market research, insight or research consultancy environment.
- Experience managing multiple research projects with minimal supervision.
- Strong understanding of both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
- Experience developing research tools such as questionnaires, screeners and discussion guides.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn research findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Experience producing high-quality client reports and presentations.
- Strong project management skills, including managing timelines, budgets and quality.
- Experience managing fieldwork and operational research teams.
- Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high-quality outputs.
- Strong client relationship and communication skills.
- Experience presenting research findings to clients.
- Previous experience managing, mentoring or developing junior researchers.
- The ability to delegate effectively while maintaining accountability for project delivery.
- A proactive and resourceful approach to solving problems.
- The resilience to manage changing priorities and challenging situations.
- An interest in sectors such as culture, heritage, arts, utilities or wider public-interest research would be advantageous.
Core Competencies
Continuous Development
You actively seek opportunities to improve your skills, knowledge and effectiveness through both formal and informal development.
Process & Quality
You understand the importance of robust processes and quality assurance and are confident applying, overseeing and improving them.
Resilience
You remain calm, constructive and effective when faced with changing requirements, challenging situations or competing priorities.
Resourcefulness
You identify issues, think creatively and work collaboratively to find practical solutions.
Delegation
You delegate appropriately, balancing the development of junior colleagues with the need to manage multiple projects, tasks and deadlines effectively.
Employee-Owned Culture
The organisation operates an employee-ownership model, creating a people-focused culture built around mutual respect, support, collaboration and trust.
Employees have the opportunity to become employee Partners and play an active role in shaping the future direction of the organisation.
The culture is underpinned by six core principles:
- Respect – for colleagues and clients.
- Quality – taking pride in delivering a superior service.
- Enjoyment – creating an environment where people enjoy their work.
- Integrity – being consistent, professional and trustworthy.
- Collaboration – working effectively with colleagues and clients.
- Creativity – encouraging a culture of ideas and innovation.
Benefits
In addition to the opportunity to become part of an employee-owned organisation, the role offers:
- £35,000–£39,000 salary.
- 25 days’ annual leave.
- Additional holiday over the Christmas period when the office is closed.
- A day’s leave on your birthday.
- One paid volunteer day each year.
- Pension contributions.
- Access to a tax-free bonus scheme following the qualifying period.
- Wellbeing initiatives.
- Early Friday finishes.
- Regular social events.
- A supportive, people-centric working environment.
- Opportunities for training, mentoring and professional development.
Working Model
This is a UK-based hybrid role, with the main office located in Stockport.
Employees are encouraged to work collaboratively from the office, with a minimum of two office days per week.
The role may occasionally require work outside standard hours and domestic or international travel, depending on project requirements.
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to join a research consultancy where your work can have a tangible impact.
You will work across a varied portfolio of projects, from understanding customer behaviour in essential utility services to exploring how people engage with culture, heritage and the arts.
The role offers the autonomy to manage projects end-to-end, meaningful client exposure, responsibility for developing junior colleagues and the opportunity to contribute to the wider direction of an employee-owned organisation.
For an experienced Research Manager looking for variety, responsibility, purpose and a genuinely collaborative culture, this represents an excellent opportunity.
£35,000–£39,000 | UK-based | Hybrid | Market Research | Culture, Heritage & Arts | Employee-Owned
Specialisms: Market Research
Freelance/Permanent: Permanent
Work Arrangements: Hybrid
Regions: UK
