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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
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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.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
The Difference exists to improve the life-outcomes of the most vulnerable children by raising the status and expertise of those who educate them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Who We Are
The Race Equality Foundation is a national charity working to tackle systemic racism and create the conditions for everyone to live healthy, secure and fulfilling lives and we are looking to appoint a Head of Operations.
We combine evidence, co-production and practical action to address the root causes of racial inequality. Our work focuses not only on identifying inequality, but on challenging the structural racism, discrimination and unequal distribution of power that drive them. We work alongside communities, practitioners, policymakers and institutions to develop evidence-informed solutions that improve services, strengthen communities and promote racial justice.
Today, our work spans health and care, employment, housing and community wellbeing. Through partnerships, research, training and policy influence, we continue to demonstrate what meaningful anti-racist systems change can look like in practice.
We are based in London but have a national remit.
Job description
We are entering a period of organisational growth and staff restructure, and the Head of Operations will be a new post at REF. The postholder will be ready to get stuck in, helping us to identify and address operational challenges before they become problems and reduce unnecessary demands on managers and senior leaders. We are looking for an effective communicator to ensure that people, systems, and resources support the Foundation's mission and enable staff to do their best work. We are not looking for someone who believes every challenge requires a new process. We are looking for someone who can exercise sound judgement, introduce structure where it adds value and help create the conditions in which staff and managers can focus on delivering impact.
The postholder will be expected to bring a strong commitment to anti-racism, equity and inclusion in the way they approach organisational development and operational leadership.
See Job Description document for full details of the role and responsibilties.
Person Specification
Essential
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Several years' experience in a senior operational, organisational development or business management role in a charity or voluntary sector organisation.
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Proven track record of driving operational improvements, such as overseeing or changing workflow systems, maintaining good governance and compliance policies, or implementing strong CRM systems.
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Proven track record of managing HR procedures, demonstrating strong interpersonal and communication skills, and effective people management including maintaining working relationships with colleagues at all levels.
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Strong ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
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Strong understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion and the ability to apply these principles in practice.
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Experience of working in an environment that requires flexibility, sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities.
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Experience of managing external suppliers, advisers or contractors.
Desirable
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Experience of working in a time and resource limited small or start up organisation.
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Experience of working with boards, trustees or governance structures.
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Experience of working in an organisation committed to equality, anti-racism or social justice.
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Knowledge of organisational development or change management approaches.
Pay and Conditions of Service
This post is permanent and full-time.
The annual full-time salary for this role is between £47,911 and £53,890, inclusive of London Weighting.
There is a probationary period of six months for this post.
Full-time staff are entitled to 25 days holiday leave per annum with additional days for long service. The timing of holidays must fit in with the needs of the Foundation and must be agreed in advance. In addition to annual holidays there is paid time off for national holidays.
The post will be based in the London office at Unit 17 Deane House Studios, 27 Greenwood Place, London NW5 1LB. Staff currently work two to three days a week in the office.
The normal working week is 35 hours for full-time posts, seven hours per day, Monday to Friday. Standard office hours are 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.
Application Process
Applications will only be accepted via the portal on our website. We will require the submission of an application form and a supporting statement. The supporting statement should be 2-3 pages max, 12 point font. We will not accept applications via CV. Candidates invited to interview will be asked to prepare a presentation, details will be shared in advance.
Please note that we are only able to appoint people who are eligible to work in the UK.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
Tackling racism, transforming lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Head of Data and Insight
Location: London (currently Old Street, moving to King's Cross in 2027). Minimum 2 days based in the office.
Salary: £70,902 - £82,719 per annum depending on experience
Contract: Permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Pioneer a new role and build a brand-new Data and Insight function at Moorfields Eye Charity, transforming how this world-class health organisation uses evidence, insight and innovation to maximise impact at a pivotal moment of growth.
About Moorfields Eye Charity
Moorfields Eye Charity is dedicated to advancing eye health and transforming lives through world-class research, innovation and patient care. Working in partnership with Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, the charity funds pioneering research, supports life-changing services and helps shape the future of eye health.
As the charity continues to grow, it is investing significantly in its data and insight capability to become a truly evidence-led organisation. This newly created role offers an exciting opportunity to lead that transformation and ensure data drives decision-making, performance and impact across the charity.
The role
Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive and being an active member of the Management Group, the Head of Data and Insight will provide strategic leadership for data, insight and performance across the organisation.
You will develop and deliver the charity's data strategy, improve reporting and system integration, and build a culture where data informs decision-making across fundraising, grant-making, finance and wider organisational activity. Leading a small but influential team, you will work closely with colleagues across the charity to improve data quality, governance and reporting, while exploring opportunities to utilise AI and emerging technologies.
Key responsibilities
• Develop and deliver the charity's data and insight strategy.
• Lead and develop the Data and Insight function.
• Oversee data governance, quality, security and GDPR compliance.
• Optimise and integrate key systems including ThankQ, Flexigrant, finance systems and Mailchimp.
• Develop reporting frameworks, dashboards and performance measures.
• Lead on data integration, automation and process improvement.
• Provide expert insight and advice to senior leaders and Board committees.
About you
You are an experienced data leader with strong technical expertise and a track record of using data and insight to improve organisational performance, combined with confidence in communicating, engaging and influencing the wider organisation’s team and key stakeholders on the importance of data and insight.
You will have:
• Experience leading data, insight or business intelligence functions.
• A track record of developing data strategies and embedding a data-led culture.
• Strong knowledge of data governance, GDPR and reporting best practice.
• Experience of CRM and business systems integration.
• Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insight.
How to apply - For a full candidate pack and details, contact Faye Marshall at Harris Hill via the apply button.
Closing date: 9am, Monday 13 July 2026
Harris Hill is a certified B Corp™ and a leading charity recruitment agency. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality or other protected characteristics.
