Ipsos in the UK
Research Manager - Public Affairs Scotland
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Make Your Mark at Ipsos
Are you a curious mixed methods researcher looking to make a real impact on public policy in Scotland? Do you enjoy working across qualitative, quantitative, and evaluation projects that influence decisions made by governments, public bodies, and communities? If you're ready for a varied and rewarding role within a highly respected social research team, we'd love to hear from you.
About the role
Join our Public Affairs Scotland team as a Research Manager and play a key role in delivering high-profile research and evaluation studies across Scotland's public policy landscape. Working within a collaborative team of 16 researchers and evaluators based in Edinburgh, you'll contribute to projects that directly shape policy, services, and public understanding.
This is an exciting opportunity for a mixed methods researcher who enjoys variety, intellectual challenge, and meaningful work. You'll manage and deliver research and evaluation projects spanning a wide range of policy areas, using methods that range from qualitative and quantitative approaches to deliberative engagement, behavioral research, and complex survey design. You'll work on studies that influence important decisions affecting citizens across Scotland, while also helping to develop proposals, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to the future growth of the team. Whether your expertise leans more towards qualitative or quantitative research, you'll have opportunities to broaden your skills and develop your career within a supportive and highly experienced environment.
About you
- An experienced mixed methods researcher with expertise in qualitative, quantitative, or both research approaches
- Passionate about research that informs policy, services, and public understanding
- Comfortable discussing and advising on both qualitative and quantitative methodologies with clients
- Experienced in managing multiple projects and competing priorities effectively
- Strong communicator who can build trusted relationships with colleagues and clients
- Curious, analytical, and motivated to solve complex research questions
- Collaborative team player who enjoys contributing to business planning and team success
- Enthusiastic about adopting and using AI tools and emerging technologies to enhance research quality, efficiency, and innovation
- Keen to continue developing your research, evaluation, and consultancy skills
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Essential skills
- Experience managing social research projects from design through to delivery
- Strong qualitative and/or quantitative research skills
- Ability to select and apply appropriate research methodologies to meet client objectives
- Experience analyzing data and translating findings into clear, actionable insights
- Excellent report writing and presentation skills
- Strong stakeholder and client management capabilities
- Commercial awareness and experience contributing to proposals or business development activities
- Excellent organizational and project management skills
- Proficiency in using AI-enabled tools and digital technologies to support research delivery and efficiency
Desirable skills
- Evaluation experience
- Knowledge of Scottish public policy, government, or public sector issues
- Experience with deliberative research methods, behavioral research, or complex survey design
- Experience managing large-scale or multi-year research programmes
- Business development and client growth experience
- Advanced quantitative analysis skills
- Experience mentoring or supporting junior researchers
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you as an individual. Our standard benefits include 25 days annual leave, pension contribution, income protection, and life assurance. In addition, there are a range of health & wellbeing, financial benefits, and professional development opportunities.
We have a hybrid approach to work and ask people to be in the office or with clients for 3 days per week. We appreciate you may have commitments outside of work and will consider flexible working applications - please highlight what you are looking for when you make your application.
We are committed to equality, treating people fairly, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment, and ensuring we have diversity of people and views. We recognize that this is important for our business success - a more diverse workforce will enable us to better reflect and understand the world we research and ultimately deliver better research and insight to our clients. We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident scheme, certified as a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. We provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Your application will be reviewed by someone from our Talent Team who will be in touch either way to let you know the outcome.
Ready to have an impact? Apply now!
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London