We are the capital’s dedicated think tank. We develop new solutions to London’s critical challenges and advocate for a fair and prosperous global city.
The role
Are you looking for an opportunity to generate ideas with impact that will inform policy and shape London’s future?
Key roles and responsibilities
As Research Manager you will be a leader within the team that develops new solutions to London’s critical challenges. You will conduct research and data analysis, prepare, publish and promote reports, deliver and speak at public events, and communicate our work to stakeholders and policymakers.
The recommendations of your team will make a difference to policy and practice – tackling issues such as employment and skills, transport and public realm, neighbourhood resilience, affordable housing, and London’s place in the UK and the world. You will be part of an eight-person research team and will actively participate in leadership of our orgnisation. You will be line managed by one of our Directors and work alongside the events, communications and development teams. We expect to announce our new Chief Executive very soon.
This role would best suit someone with experience leading research programmes – in a think tank, consultancy, central or local government, academia or similar. You will have a some understanding of UK policy, will have both analytical and project management skills, and will be able to communicate complex ideas to different audiences – in meetings, in writing, through blogs and articles, and in speeches. Experience in fundraising and feeling confident with budgets would be helpful, as would experience with line management and supporting junior colleagues.
We celebrate London’s rich and diverse culture and we want our team to reflect the city we serve. We especially welcome applications from people from minority ethnic and/or less advantaged backgrounds. This ideally is a full-time role, however we would be open to applications from people who would like to work part-time or to people applying as a job share.
Our team are recurrently working remotely and we will not require staff to work from the office till it is safe to do so. When the risk level reduces, staff will have the option of using the office a few days a week, with social distancing in place. After the end of the pandemic we do not expect that people will be required to be in the office full time, although they may choose to. However, we will expect people to be in the office some of the time as we return to in-person events and meetings. We will not be able to pay travel expenses for journeys to our office.
Experience and skills
Research programme and project team leadership:
- Work with the senior management team to develop Centre for London’s research
programme and projects, managing projects and developing policy recommendations to
push forward debate and realise change in the Centre’s priority areas. - Devise and write exciting and fundable research proposals that address London’s
challenges and opportunities. - Manage the Centre’s research projects, including:
- developing research approaches and project plans;
- delivering these alongside research team colleagues and external consultants;
- monitoring and managing project budgets;
- managing relationships with funders and stakeholders;
- evaluating the activities.
- Commission, write and edit publications.
- Work with communications team to coordinate media involvement and
marketing/promotion of events, with special emphasis on social media. - Manage project teams and staff members for high performance and support staff
professional development.
Budgeting and financial management
- Work with the operations team to ensure project budgets and forecasts are up to date,
that projects are delivered on time and that expenditure is managed effectively. - Manage procurement of services from external agencies, suppliers and consultants
where required. - Ensure effective regular reporting to sponsors and trustees, working collaboratively with
colleagues to meet financial, quality and timeframe expectations.
Fundraising, development and growth of Centre for London
- Work with the development team to build relationships with funders.
- Fundraising activities including identifying funding prospects, building relationships and
extending networks among new and potential funders, being supported to deliver
fundraising pitches and approaches.
General responsibilities and duties
- Undertake the duties of the job description in accordance with the operational policies
of Centre for London, including but not limited to the diversity policy and code of
conduct. - Maintain good working relations with staff, trustees, volunteers and other stakeholders.
- Present the organisation in an appropriate and professional manner to its stakeholders.
- Contribute to the development and growth of the organisation through working in
accordance with its wider objectives, corporate philosophy and values. - Assist at Centre for London events outside of normal working hours as necessary.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as may be required.