Asset management research assistant jobs

This is a hands-on role that moves between two registers: structured qualitative research with proper analytical underpinning, and fast-turnaround reactive policy work. You will need to be genuinely comfortable in both able to run a multi-month thematic publication and turn around a tight briefing or consultation response within 48-72 hours when a policy window opens.

The role will lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, including research workstreams tied to the Difference Schools Partnership's annual thematic priorities, and our Harmful and Abusive Behaviours (HaB) workstream convening a sector council to build a shared framework for how schools understand and respond to peer-on-peer harm. You will produce briefings, evidence submissions and publications, manage external research partners, and work with the CEO, Head of Policy and Communications team to launch research with real impact. The role reports to the Head of Policy and works closely with colleagues across Strategy, Research and Programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead The Difference's qualitative research and insight function, running research workstreams tied to annual DSP thematic priorities and emerging strands on MAT inclusion and LA working
• Design and deliver qualitative research with schools, MATs and local authorities interviews, focus groups, school visits and thematic analysis  translating findings into evidence and policy recommendations
• Lead the Harmful and Abusive Behaviours research workstream, convening a sector council, producing briefing material and managing the route from convening to publication
• Produce timely, citable evidence for policy influence  including drafting briefings, consultation responses and evidence submissions on fast turnaround
• Project manage publication cycles from scoping through to launch, working with coalition and media partners to maximise reach and tracking policy traction post-launch
• Brief, manage and integrate the outputs of external research partners where commissioned (e.g. FFT Datalab, Pro Bono Economics)
• Capture and develop case studies from DSP schools and the wider Difference network

About The Difference

• Every day, the equivalent of 5,500 children are suspended from England's schools, doubling their likelihood of being NEET by 24. The Difference is a young education charity founded to change this story through whole school inclusion. We train school leaders, carry out our own research, and turn frontline insights into policy recommendations lobbying Ofsted and the Department for Education to improve funding and support for inclusion. Our vision is to see lost learning falling nationally by 2030.

About You

Essential

• Dual capability across reactive and structured research : comfortable producing tight briefings on a 48–72 hour turnaround and running multi-month qualitative publications
• Experience in education research, policy research or applied social research, with examples of published, commissioned or internally-influential work
• Strong qualitative research skills : interview and focus group design, thematic coding, framework development, synthesis across multiple sources
• Persuasive writing for mixed audiences : able to write clearly and concisely for policymakers, school leaders, the press and the sector, and comfortable ghost-writing for senior colleagues
• Project management discipline : able to run multiple workstreams in parallel, manage your own deadlines, and keep colleagues and external partners on track
• Comfortable working at pace in a fast-moving environment where priorities shift as policy windows open and close : self-directed, flexible and able to make good judgement calls under pressure
• Shared values with The Difference and personal commitment to improving life outcomes for young people

Desired

• Strong working understanding of UK education policy, particularly around inclusion, exclusion, SEND, accountability and school improvement
• Confident data literacy and basic quantitative analysis : comfortable interrogating population-level datasets and translating findings into accessible policy language
• Understanding of why language matters when writing about behaviour, exclusion and vulnerability, and the ability to frame behaviour as a signal of unmet need consistently across all work
• Lived experience or insight into the school experiences of marginalised young people
• Experience of working in or with schools, multi-academy trusts or local authorities
• Existing relationships in education research, policy or sector organisations

Please see the attached Job Description for full role details and person specification.

We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector. As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and protected characteristics redacted.

Community Fundraising Assistant - North 

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?

Brain Tumour Research is an exciting, innovative, and ambitious charity. We are passionate about finding a cure for brain tumours through the establishment of dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence around the UK.​

After a successful 2025, we’re building on our momentum and looking ahead with ambition. As our work continues to expand, so does our impact. We are now looking for passionate people to join us on the next stage of our journey!

It is a fantastic time to be joining us and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraising Assistant - North, to join our Community and Digital Fundraising team.

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Are you able to provide friendly and professional support to fundraisers and supporters?   
• Do you have experience in supporting events or community activities?
• Do you live in either Scotland, North East England, North West England or the East Midlands? 

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Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really take the next step in your career?

Excited to learn more about this position? Then please take a read through our recruitment pack which is included within this advert.​​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we are excited to receive your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

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We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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About the role

You will play an important part in a small proactive marketing and communications team, which works hard to promote the many events, activities and operations of Nene Park Trust and builds our brand awareness across the city and the region.

This is a trainee role and as such you will get a lot of support and training from the team. We’re keen to see enthusiasm, potential, great ideas and a genuine passion for promotion.

Key areas of work:

• Content Creation: Assist in the creation of compelling content for digital and print marketing materials, including social media posts, blog articles, newsletters and press releases.
• Social Media Management: Support in maintaining Nene Park Trust’s presence on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok. This may include scheduling posts, engaging with followers and monitoring analytics.
• Website Maintenance: Support the maintenance and updating of the organisation's website, using our WordPress platform, ensuring content is accurate, relevant and visually appealing.
• Event Promotion: Supporting the promotion of our wide range of events and activities, including seasonal festivals, family events, education programmes and fundraising initiatives.
• Graphic Design: Assist in the creation of graphic design assets such as posters, flyers, banners and digital ads using design software (e.g. Canva or Adobe Creative Suite).
• Photography and Videography: Support the Digital Content Creator in the capture of high quality visual content (photos and videos) to showcase the Park's attractions, events and conservation efforts.
• Engage with our visitors and Park users: Be prepared to talk to our visitors when we carry out customer surveys and build relationships with tenants and stakeholders to help our marketing.
• Market Research: Conduct market research to identify trends and gather insights to help enhance campaigns.
• Maintaining our customer database: UseHubspot, our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systemand keep our databases up to date.
• Brand Management: Ensure brand consistency across all marketing materials and communications, adhering to brand guidelines and standards.
• Administrative Support: Provide administrative support to the marketing team, including data entry, file management and scheduling meetings.

Knowledge, skills and expierence

• A degree, other qualification or relevant marketing and communications experience
• Understanding of digital marketing tools and platforms, including social media management tools, content management systems, and analytics software
• Basic graphic design skills and familiarity with design software (e.g. Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator).
• Excellent communications skills –both written and verbal
• Creative and innovative –staying up to date with digital marketing trends
• Attention to detail and an eagle-eyed proofreader
• Ability to multi-task and work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Strong administrative and organisational skills
• Proactive, collaborative and with a ‘can do’ attitude –able to work both independently and as part of a team.

What we offer

We recognise the high level of service we deliver is dependent upon our excellent staff team and we offer an extensive rewards package to recognise employees' commitment to the Trust. You can find out more about the benefits of working with us on our website.

More information and how to apply

Please visit the Nene Park Trust website to view the full recruitment pack and apply for this role. Completed application forms should be submitted by 9:00 on Thursday 16th July 2026.