- Job title: Senior Research Analyst
- Area of work: Research & Evidence Development
- Contract type: Permanent
- Employment type: Full-time (35 hours per week)
- Salary: £50,000
- Location: Hybrid
- Annual leave: 25 days plus bank holidays
- Other benefits include: Cycle to Work scheme, discounts (retail, gym, tech, restaurants), flexitime, parental leave, staff networks, learning & development opportunities
- Closing date: Midnight, Wednesday 19th February 2025
OverviewThis is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in generating the evidence that shapes regulatory policy. As a Senior Research Analyst, you'll design and deliver high-quality primary research that informs strategic decisions, evaluating complex issues across the pensions and financial landscape.
Working within a multidisciplinary research and analysis team, you will lead end-to-end research projects, from designing methodologies and conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis, through to translating findings into actionable insights for senior stakeholders. You'll play a pivotal role in strengthening the organisation's research capability and supporting evidence-based policy development.
This role is ideal for candidates with strong applied research experience, a passion for understanding user and industry behaviours, and the ability to turn data into compelling narratives that inform decisions.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the design, commissioning, and delivery of primary research projects across the organisation.
* Apply expert research methods (quantitative and qualitative) to gather robust evidence that informs strategy and policy.
* Manage relationships with external research agencies, ensuring high-quality outputs and value for money.
* Conduct independent analysis, including statistical testing, qualitative coding, and data visualisation.
* Communicate complex findings clearly, translating evidence into actionable insights for senior leadership and non-technical audiences.
* Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to scope research needs and shape evidence-based recommendations.
* Mentor and support junior analysts, providing guidance on research design and analytical delivery.
* Stay abreast of innovative research approaches, tools, and best practice across the research profession.
Skills & Experience Required
Essential
* Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject (e.g., social research methods) or equivalent professional experience.
* Experience independently designing and delivering hypothesis-led research.
* Strong understanding of research methods, including quantitative and qualitative study design (e.g., cross-sectional, longitudinal, cohort, quasi-experimental).
* Proficiency in research analysis, including descriptive statistics, T-tests, chi-squared, qualitative coding, and data visualisation.
* Proven ability to manage research projects and agencies, ensuring quality, timeliness, and rigour.
* Experience coordinating work with internal and external stakeholders in a multidisciplinary environment.
* Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex findings clearly and persuasively.
Desirable
* Experience working within or alongside the UK pensions sector.
* Expertise in managing high-value research procurement processes.
* Experience using survey platforms with complex routing.
* Familiarity with social research codes of practice (GSR, SRA, MRS).
Person Specification
* Proactive and flexible approach to work.
* Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
* Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
* Collaborative, supportive, and comfortable working in teams.
* Ability to manage competing priorities and work at pace.
The Team
You'll join a supportive and collaborative research and analysis function that works closely with policy, strategy, regulatory and operational teams. The organisation offers:
* Genuine opportunities for learning and professional development.
* A values-led, inclusive culture.
* Hybrid working and flexible shift patterns.
A vibrant workplace supported by employee networks (e.g., Disability, Family, LGBT+, Minority Ethnic, Women's).
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk
Assistant Director of Operations
Salary: £72,000 per annum
Work Pattern: This is a permanent contract, working full time, Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours a week.
Location: Your base can be at any of the 6 mainland UK Discovery Sites: Arundel BN18, Llanelli SA14, London SW13, Martin Mere L40, Slimbridge GL2 or Washington NE38. The 7th site is Castle Espie.
For this role we can offer the opportunity for hybrid working. It is expected the role will need you to be present at each of your sites on a regular basis, at least once per month.
About The Role
WWT is the charity for wetlands.
This is a critical role in the recently restructured Operations Directorate at WWT. As Assistant Director, you will be directly responsible for the performance of our 7 Wetland Discovery sites. You will provide inspiring and professional leadership to your teams, whilst proactively collaborating cross organisation and externally.
Your focus will be on driving meaningful improvements at sites across our three ambitions of Restore, Inspire and Thrive, with emphasis on financial performance driven by visitor experiences. Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will directly manage two Heads of Operations, a Head of Retail and Head of Catering. You will indirectly lead more than 400 staff and volunteers across Living Collections, Reserve Management, Visitor Experience, Trading, Marketing, Facilities and Grounds.
You will work closely with Health & Safety and Sustainability leads to ensure good governance and compliance at sites and across the Operations Directorate.
You will have a background working in visitor attractions or a very similar sector, coupled with a passion for purpose-led organisations and a keen interest in the environment. You will be an inspiring leader with high levels of emotional intelligence and values & behaviours that align with WWT.
About You
To join as our Assistant Director of Operations, you will need to evidence:
- Experience in a senior position(s) held in the visitor attraction/events management sectors, directly accountable for site operations and visitor experience throughout the visitor journey.
- Strong skills in leading business planning, financial analysis, budget development and management, and delivery of significant capital projects across £multi-million business unit(s).
- Demonstrable ability to recruit, performance manage and motivate large (>100) diverse multi-disciplinary teams.
- The ability to develop, communicate and implement strategic change, turning organisational vision into improvements at scale.
- An inspirational and empathetic leadership style, able to role model an organisation’s values and behaviours, and to evidence strong emotional intelligence. Able to prioritise effectively, to collaborate, network and influence internally and externally at a senior level.
- A highly creative and inquisitive mindset, able to spot and exploit potential opportunities, keen to explore, test and learn as a means of driving continual improvement and excellence in the visitor experience.
- Experience of working collaboratively with insight, marketing and communications teams to deliver strong brand and marketing campaigns which drive footfall.
About Us
We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.
Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.
Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?
Why you’ll love working at WWT
- Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
- Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
- 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
- Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
- Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
- Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
- Cycle to work scheme
- Contributory pension scheme
- Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
- Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme
Closing Date: 23rd February 2026
N.B. We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications from candidates who meet the required skills and experience. We therefore encourage early applications.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.
No agencies please.
Restore Wetlands and Unlock their Power


