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The Head of Research and Policy is a key role within the Trust, overseeing its programme of policy-focused research on social mobility and educational inequalities. The Trust has published over 300 pieces of research since 1997, including many highly influential reports which have achieved widespread media coverage and attention among policy makers. This is an exciting opportunity to play a meaningful part in effecting change for disadvantaged young people, in a rapidly evolving policy landscape

The role sits within our integrated Communications, Research and Policy team, where we see communications and advocacy working hand in hand with generating robust evidence. As Head you will oversee a small research team producing original research internally, as well as commissioning work from external researchers and organisations. You will develop proposals and design research projects, as well as recommendations for policy and practice.

We are looking for someone with a deep interest in issues of educational equity, social mobility and increasing opportunity. You will combine a commitment to methodologically robust research with a passion for clear, impactful communication of findings and an eye for practical learnings.

Main duties
Research

• Leading the Trust’s portfolio of research, with the Director of Research and Policy, ensuring a regular and varied programme of policy-relevant research, including responsibility for its quality and accuracy.
• Overseeing colleagues and external organisations responsible for individual reports.
• Ensuring that Sutton Trust reports are accessible to practitioners and policy makers; editing and preparing reports for publication.
• Developing new ideas for research in consultation with the Director, as well as other Sutton Trust colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Authoring one or more original data-rich research reports each year, where appropriate
• Managing the day-to-day work of two Research and Policy Managers, including pastoral support. Management of other team members as appropriate, and recruitment where relevant.
• Working with the Development team to identify possible funders and develop fundraising proposals and secure funding for the team’s work.
• Management of the research budget, ensuring value for money.

Policy and impact

• Working with the Director of Research and Policy and colleagues, as well as external experts, to develop credible recommendations and policy proposals that help advance the Trust’s social mobility agenda.
• Working with Communications and Public Affairs team members to develop messaging and content for disseminating and publicising the Trust’s research findings and policy recommendations.
• Working with the Head of Communications and Public Affairs and other colleagues to support the advocacy work of the Trust, including responding to government consultations.
• Undertaking advocacy work, as required, with MPs’ staff, civil servants, special advisers and other policy makers.
• Representing the Trust externally at events, conferences, and with donors and other supporters, as well as through news media - both broadcast appearances and thought leadership articles.
• Working with colleagues in the Programmes team to ensure exchange of knowledge and expertise across teams

Other

• Reporting to the Senior Leadership Team and Trustee Board, where required.
• Other duties as necessary from time to time

Person Specification

We welcome applications from individuals who have:

• Significant experience designing and delivering impactful original research which is robust and policy relevant
• Strong analytical skills and understanding of research methods, particularly quantitative research, and is fluent in data analysis software such as R/SPSS/Stata/Python.
• Experience leading, managing or commissioning research delivered by others
• Experience securing funding for research projects
• A qualification in a numerate discipline, including education, economics, statistics, or similar discipline in the social or natural sciences, either at degree or postgraduate level, or comparable experience.
• An understanding of the British educational system and issues related to social mobility and inequality.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and analytical skills
• Line management experience
• High degree of initiative and the ability to lead a programme of work
• Excellent attention to detail
• Personable, flexible and discreet; able to fit into a small team in a fast-paced environment

We are also looking for an individual who:

• Is sympathetic to the aims of the Trust and its mission to address educational disadvantage
• Has knowledge and experience of the higher education and/or education sectors, as well as government and the public policy environment
• Has experience communicating research in the media
• Has first-class interpersonal skills - a natural ambassador able to represent the Sutton Trust in a range of settings
• Is eligible to work in the UK (see here for information about right to work)

Terms of Appointment

• Salary: £56,000-£64,000 per annum, dependent on experience
• Contract: Full time, Permanent
• Working location: Minimum of 2 office days per week
• Hours: The standard working hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and may also be required to attend events / meetings outside of their normal working hours during weekday evenings and occasionally at weekends
• DBS check may be required
• Office location: The Sutton Trust, 9th Floor, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP. Our home working policy gives staff the option to work from home for up to 60% of the time, with approval from their line manager.

Interviews

Applications should reach us by 10am, Wednesday 21st May , with first round interviews held on Thursday, 29th May and Friday 30th May, and second round interviews held on Tuesday, 10th June and Wednesday, 11th June. Both interview rounds will be held at our London offices.

Safeguarding statement

The Sutton Trust believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We all have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. Therefore all posts undergo a safer recruitment process, including but not limited to, disclosure of criminal records where necessary and eligibility to work in the UK. We have procedures in place to promote safeguarding and a safe culture at the Trust.

Contextual recruitment

The Trust is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity and that all applicants receive equal consideration for employment. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including those underrepresented at present at the Trust, to apply for this role. As such we particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities, Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ and from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds. We are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming place to work and know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the young people we support.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates throughout our recruitment process and during employment.

We also operate contextual recruitment at the Sutton Trust. Our application process gives you the option to include information about your background, such as whether you were eligible for free school meals, whether your parents went to university, or whether you attended a state school. For more examples and information on contextual recruitment, please see our website.