Head of Research: Skills and Better Work

Learning and Work Institute is an independent policy and research organisation focused on lifelong learning and better work.​ Our vision is for a fair and prosperous society where learning and work enable everyone to realise their potential.​ We research what works, influence policy, and develop new ideas to improve practice. 

The Head of Research: Skills and Better Work develops and leads research and insight projects in the areas of Lifelong learning, Essential Skills and Better Work.

That means:

• Working to secure income for work in this area (reactive or proactive)
• Leading the teams delivering those projects
• Ensuring that the insights developed through these projects are aimed at delivering tangible change
• Working with colleagues to use those insights to secure those changes

0.8- 1FTE, with flexible working supported (e.g. condensed hours, flexible start and finish times)

Delivery

• Spot opportunities for policy-relevant research projects in the areas of L&W’s strengths and areas of interest
• Scope and develop research proposals to make the most of these opportunities
• Act as Project Director for projects once they are underway: liaising with funders; shaping research proposals and plans; supporting project managers and leading the team; ensuring project margins are delivered effectively; carrying out research directly where appropriate

Income

• Write and contribute to reactive and proactive funding proposals for projects in the area of lifelong learning and skills
• Build relationships and manage with current and potential funders
• Build relationships and manage relationships with current and potential research partners

Impact

• Act as an external-facing ‘expert’ on issues of skills and progression: eg. speaking on panels, writing blogs, media appearances
• Building and leading relationships with key stakeholders and partners
• Work with colleagues to build relationships with relevant policymakers, practitioners and other stakeholders to secure impact
• Ensure that all projects under their direction generate meaningful insights and recommendations that respond to the real-world concerns and challenges faced by practitioners and policy-makers
• Communicate insights clearly and effectively to funders and other stakeholders

Leadership and management

• Line manage members of the R&D team
• Support the corporate leadership of L&W through membership of the ‘R&D leaders’ group

Other duties and responsibilities as required

Person Specification:

• Experience of delivering and directing high-quality, policy-relevant research/analysis projects- Essential
• Experience of developing specific and actionable policy recommendations- Essential
• Experience of influencing policy/practice stakeholders to achieve change-Essential
• Experience of managing, supporting and developing researchers/analysts- Essential
• Experience of carrying out research and evaluation in the areas of employment and skills - Desirable

Skills:

• Demonstrable policy-relevant research skills (qualitative or quantitative) - Essential
• Effective and efficient relationship management - Essential
• Clear and direct written and spoken communication style - Essential

Knowledge:

• Demonstrable knowledge of areas of UK policy relevant to employment and skills (eg. growth, education, employment, skills) - Essential
• Demonstrable knowledge in the areas of employment and skills policy and practice specifically - Desirable
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, L&W’s charitable aims and purpose - Essential

Salary of £47,250- £61,150 (FTE), depending on experience and location

- 31 days FTE holiday increasing to 33 days after 5 years’ service, of which 3 are shutdown days in addition to public holidays.

- Company pension scheme with 8% employer contribution

- Group Life Assurance 3*salary

- Hybrid working (with 40%-60% of your time required in the office)

- Flexible working practices

- Employee Development Scheme

- Retailer Discounts

- Enhanced occupational maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental pay

- Enhanced occupational sick pay

- Eye care scheme

- Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programme

- Gold award in Investors in People

We value equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from different backgrounds. We are also committed to making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have accessibility requirements.

If you possess the experience and attributes above and have a passion to support the delivery of our vision, then you could be the person we are seeking. Please apply with a CV and cover letter. Your cover letter should detail why you are a good fit for this job, with reference to specific points in the job description with no more than 1000 words.

The closing date for applications is 23rd October 2026

Please complete the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Monitoring when applying:

Learning and Work Institute: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Monitoring - Job Applicants – Prefilled form

Should you have any further questions or if you would like to arrange a call to discuss this post in more detail, please contact HR:

[email protected]