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About the Role

Lead the design, development, commissioning, delivery, and dissemination of ETF's research, evaluation, and policy insight portfolio. Ensure the production of high-quality, impactful, and methodologically rigorous research to strengthen the evidence base for the Further Education and Skills sector. This role is fixed term until 28 February 2027.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and implementation of ETF's research and evaluation programme.
Develop and maintain a proactive research pipeline identifying emerging issues in the FE and skills sector.
Support and facilitate the planning, design, and delivery of ETF’s Research Community initiative.
Lead complex research and evaluation projects, including literature reviews, mixed-method studies, impact evaluations, and longitudinal research.
Ensure research activities meet high standards of methodological rigor, ethics, quality assurance, and data protection.
Oversee the production of high-quality reports, briefings, evidence reviews, and thought leadership outputs.
Develop systems for monitoring research quality, progress, and impact.
Drive continuous improvement of research methodologies, tools, and practices.
Seek out and develop research proposals, funding applications, and competitive bids.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with funders, government departments, sector bodies, academic institutions, think tanks, and research organisations.
Represent ETF within research networks, conferences, and stakeholder forums.
Establish and manage collaborative research partnerships.
Identify opportunities to leverage external funding and partnership arrangements.
Lead the commissioning of external research and evaluation providers.
Ensure commissioned projects deliver high-quality outputs on time and within budget.
Monitor risks across the research portfolio and implement mitigation strategies.
Oversee project governance arrangements and provide progress reports.
Manage, support, and develop members of the research team.
Set objectives, provide coaching, and undertake performance management activities.
Build research capability across ETF by promoting best practice in evidence generation, evaluation, and knowledge mobilization.
Support colleagues in utilizing evidence effectively.
Foster a culture of innovation, curiosity, and continuous professional development.
Analyze and interpret complex qualitative and quantitative evidence to provide strategic insight.
Lead the translation of research findings into accessible outputs for various audiences.
Contribute to ETF's policy engagement, thought leadership, and public affairs activity.
Monitor and evaluate the impact and influence of ETF's research outputs.
Ensure evidence and insight are effectively communicated across the organization.
Produce high-quality reports, board papers, strategic briefings, and presentations.
Analyze large and complex datasets to identify trends and opportunities.
Develop impactful data visualisations and evidence summaries.
Present research findings confidently to diverse audiences.
Use generative AI in carrying out responsibilities.

Requirements

Educated to degree level in a relevant subject area and/or equivalent professional experience.
Significant experience leading and delivering complex research and evaluation projects.
Strong knowledge of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research approaches.
Experience managing research staff, consultants, or project teams.
Proven experience commissioning and managing externally delivered research projects.
Experience developing successful research bids, funding proposals, or grant applications.
Strong understanding of the UK education and skills policy landscape, ideally within Further Education.
Experience translating complex evidence into practical recommendations and accessible outputs.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with experience interpreting complex datasets.
Excellent report writing, presentation, and communication skills.
Experience building productive relationships with senior stakeholders and external partners.
Thorough understanding of research ethics, GDPR, and data governance requirements.
Experience using data analysis software and digital research tools.
Experience managing multiple projects, budgets, and competing priorities simultaneously.
Demonstrates commitment to ETF's values.
Strong strategic thinker with the ability to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
Highly credible and confident communicator with excellent influencing skills.
Collaborative leadership style with the ability to develop others and build high performing teams.
Proactive, innovative, and solution-focused approach to work.
Demonstrates sound judgement and decision-making skills.
Commitment to evidence-informed practice and continuous improvement.
Demonstrates knowledge, understanding, and personal commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

Skills

Research strategy
Research development
Research delivery
Evaluation
Policy insight
Project management
Team management
Partnership building
Funding acquisition
Commissioning research
Data analysis
Report writing
Presentation skills
Communication skills
Strategic thinking
Influencing skills
Generative AI usage

Location

London

Work Type

Flexible Working
Working from home

Experience Level

Significant experience leading and delivering complex research and evaluation projects
Experience managing research staff, consultants or project teams
Experience managing multiple projects, budgets and competing priorities simultaneously

Education Level

Degree level in a relevant subject area and/or equivalent professional experience

Benefits

London Allowance of £1,000 p/a for London office-based staff
Life Assurance (4x basic salary)
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Simplyhealth Health Cash Plan
Flexible Working/Working from home
Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
Volunteering leave – 5 days in total (3 days paid and 2 days unpaid)
Cycle to Work Scheme
Season Ticket Loans
Salary sacrifice electric vehicle lease scheme (TBC in 2027)
CPD Opportunities (apprenticeships and contributions to personal professional memberships)

About the Company

Every day, educators and leaders across the Further Education (FE) and Skills sector inspire curiosity, drive progress and empower learners to achieve their potential.
The Education Training Foundation (ETF) is here to champion the vital role of the FE and Skills workforce.
Working in partnership, we drive professionalism by setting the professional standards for the quality of teaching and leadership across the sector.
We provide educators with a pathway of professional development throughout their careers, champion inclusion and enable sector change for a thriving FE and Skills sector.
Together, we are transforming lives and opportunities for learners aged 14 and above.