Director of Research and Policy

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), the UK’s leading progressive think tank, is looking to recruit a Director of Research and Policy to lead our research programme and ensure our work is strategic, creative and rigorous. This is a vital role within IPPR’s senior management team at an exciting time of growth for the Institute.

At IPPR, we believe a better and fairer future is not only possible—it’s achievable now. We make bold ideas common sense and provide the policies to make them a reality. Through rigorous research, analysis and public dialogue, we provide insight into the issues and make impactful solutions workable.

The postholder will lead IPPR’s research and policy programme, managing our Associate Directors. They will work closely with senior colleagues to manage and set the strategy of the organisation, and ensure that all of our work contributes to our theory of change. They will represent IPPR to key stakeholders at senior levels of the policymaking process, and in the media. And they will work with our brilliant research team to develop innovative research projects and creative, evidence-based policy proposals.

To be successful, you will combine knowledge of policy and policymaking with the ability to manage and oversee a wide-ranging agenda. A skilled researcher, with expertise in at least one of quantitative, qualitative or participatory research, you will be able to identify and pursue strategic opportunities for impact. Having played a leadership or substantial management role in an organisation, you will have excellent project, budget and people management skills.

As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant to fill the post including part remote working and part-time or job-share arrangements. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

Person specification

• Demonstrable experience of designing, managing and delivering research projects with political and policy impact  
• High levels of expertise in either quantitative, qualitative or participatory research methods, and understanding of the application of all three
• Ability to identify strategic opportunities within the policy world and design creative interventions to take those opportunities
• Ability to fundraise from a range of sources including trusts, corporates and individuals, and ideally experience of this
• Excellent relationship building skills, with both external stakeholders and internal colleagues
• A collaborative and open approach to working with others, and commitment to supporting colleagues to achieve impact
• Outstanding project management skills and an ability to manage multiple responsibilities with a high degree of autonomy
• Excellent line management skills, including an ability to develop those you line manage
• Excellent verbal presentational skills, that may have been gained through public speaking, media or in some other way
• Ability to oversee research across a wide range of domestic policy topics, with recognised expertise in at least one area of IPPR’s research agenda
• Excellent understanding of the UK policymaking process and ability to design and assess impactful policy proposals
• Ability to write concisely and engagingly for a variety of audiences, including politicians, colleagues and donors
• Lived experience of disadvantage or sound knowledge and understanding of social injustice
• Commitment to the values of IPPR