Overview
Research Consultant – Tourism & Placemaking | Location: UK & Ireland | Employment Type: Full-time | Reporting to: Director, Destination Strategy
Who We Are
TOPOSOPHY is a destination development, marketing, and placemaking agency working at the intersection of research, strategy, and experience design. For more than 15 years we’ve supported governments, DMOs, cultural institutions, and global organisations such as the European Travel Commission, Mastercard, UNDP, and UNWTO. Our work spans the UK, Ireland, and Europe — from national tourism strategies and destination experience development plans to city masterplans and cultural programming.
The Role
We are looking for a Research Consultant – Tourism & Placemaking to join our Destination Strategy & Research team. This is a hybrid role: part researcher, part consultant. You’ll design and deliver research, but also engage with stakeholders, run workshops, and present findings to decision-makers. Your work will directly contribute to Destination Experience Development Plans (DEDPs), Destination Management Plans (DMPs), tourism strategies, and thought-leadership outputs across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. The right candidate is comfortable moving between data, policy, and people — someone who can interpret complex research and turn it into practical insights for destinations.
Key Responsibilities
* Conduct research and analysis on tourism, visitor behaviour, and policy across the UK, Ireland, and Europe.
* Contribute to DEDPs, DMPs, and tourism masterplans with evidence-based insights.
* Design and deliver stakeholder and public consultations.
* Prepare and deliver workshops, roundtables, and client presentations.
* Write strategic reports, white papers, and trend briefings.
* Translate complex research into clear, engaging communication outputs (reports, visuals, presentations).
* Benchmark DMOs, tourism boards, and marketing campaigns internationally.
* Track and apply emerging themes such as sustainability, design thinking, digital tools, and AI in tourism.
Requirements
* Strong skills in both quantitative and qualitative research; familiarity with a range of methodological frameworks is essential.
* Experience in stakeholder engagement, public consultations, and workshop facilitation.
* Confidence in delivering presentations, workshops, or keynotes.
* Track record in producing white papers, strategy reports, or published research outputs.
* Ability to transform data into accessible, engaging insights for policymakers and public audiences.
* Knowledge of the UK, Irish, and European tourism/policy landscape.
* Proficiency with tools such as Excel, PowerBI, Tableau, GIS, or SPSS.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to manage multiple projects at pace.
Benefits
* Competitive salary and private health insurance
* Work on global projects that impact destinations worldwide
* Career growth and mentorship in a dynamic, collaborative environment
* Flexible work arrangements (remote/hybrid options available)
* Professional equipment allowance to ensure you have the tools you need to perform at your best
* Professional development courses allowance to support continuous learning and career growth
* A diverse, international team shaping the future of destinations
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