Research Director, Crime, Justice and Security

Research Director - Crime, Justice and Security Competitive (depending on experience) London | Hybrid Full time | Permanent

Role details Location: London (Hybrid – 3 days in the London office, 2 days from home) Reporting to: Director of Crime, Justice and Security Team: Crime, Justice and Security team, Policy Research Centre

About the opportunity NatCen is looking for an exceptional Research Director to join its Crime, Justice and Security team within the Policy Research Centre. This is a senior mixed-methods research leadership role for someone who can design and deliver high-quality research, win new work and build trusted relationships with clients and partners.

The team works across complex and high-profile public policy issues including offending behaviour, extremism and radicalisation, violence against women and girls, victims and witnesses of crime, youth justice, access to justice and policing. This role will lead and shape a portfolio of research and evaluation work while also playing a critical role in growing the pipeline and securing new projects.

The successful person will bring the credibility to operate with minimal supervision, lead projects with confidence, manage senior stakeholders and strengthen the team’s capability in survey and quantitative work alongside existing qualitative strengths. This is an opportunity to combine research leadership, commercial contribution and visible impact in one of the UK’s best-known independent social research organisations.

What you will be doing You will lead high-quality mixed-methods research and evaluation projects from design through to delivery, ensuring work meets client expectations and NatCen’s standards. You will take ownership of proposals and contribute to winning new work, from smaller opportunities through to major strategic bids. You will manage and develop project teams, maintain oversight of budgets, timelines and quality, and build strong relationships with clients, commissioners, partners and colleagues across NatCen. You will also contribute flexibly across the wider Policy Research Centre where needed.

What we are looking for We are looking for a strong mixed-methods researcher with confidence across qualitative and quantitative research design and delivery. You will bring demonstrable experience of proposal writing and winning funded research or evaluation work, along with a track record of delivering high-quality projects to time and budget. You will be comfortable operating independently in a senior role, with strong project leadership, line management, stakeholder management and communication skills.

Experience in criminal justice, policing, youth justice, victims, access to justice, online harms or closely related public policy areas will be highly relevant. Experience in evaluation methods, including theory-based evaluation, will be an advantage. Relevant backgrounds could include social research or evaluation involving prisons, probation, youth offending, local authorities supporting young people at risk, or other adjacent justice and public policy settings.

Why join NatCen? NatCen offers the opportunity to work on influential research that shapes important public policy decisions. You will join the UK’s largest independent social research organisation and play a visible part in strengthening and growing a high-potential portfolio. The role offers real scope to contribute intellectually, commercially and strategically, while working alongside expert researchers, partners and clients on impactful projects.

Benefits As well as a competitive salary, attractive bonus structure and excellent working environment (including a home/office hybrid working environment), you will be working for the largest independent social research organisation in the UK. We are proud of the benefits we offer our employees which include: 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) and flexible working Generous company pension scheme Life insurance and health cash plan Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan Career development, professional subscriptions support and mentoring support from industry-leading experts

About the National Centre for Social Research At The National Centre for Social Research, we believe that social research has the power to make life better. By really understanding the complexity of people’s lives and what they think about the issues that affect them, we give the public a powerful and influential role in shaping services that can make a difference to everyone. And as an independent, not-for-profit organisation we’re able to focus our time and energy on meeting our clients’ needs and delivering social research that works for society. Our Values & Behaviors

We Are Curious Uses data to improve field performance and delivery Explores new approaches to workforce management

We Move with Purpose Drives delivery against operational targets Aligns workforce planning to demand

We Act with Integrity Ensures fair and compliant field practices Maintains quality and ethical standards

We are proud to say we are a Disability Confident Committed Employer, so if you require any reasonable adjustments during the interview process please make us aware and we will endeavor to support you to help you showcase your best self during our hiring process.