Purpose This is a senior role, leading mixed methods teams to design and deliver work on a range of internally and externally funded research projects. We are looking for someone with a versatile skill set, including robust research skills, a thorough understanding of health policy and its political context, and top-notch written and verbal communication skills. You will be capable of leading projects across a range of topics within health and care, and you will be an energetic, inspiring presence in the team. You will be responsible for a mix of short- and long-term projects, including in-house research and policy analysis and reactive work. You will be expected to develop and lead research projects, including leading funding bids, and you will work with a range of stakeholders, including funders and academic partners. You will have strong quantitative skills, and you may have qualitative research experience too. Expertise in workforce research is desirable but not essential for this job. The role requires strong critical appraisal skills, and the ability to analyse policy documents, grey literature and official reports related to specific policy areas. Your research findings are expected to have significant impact at both a local and national level. You will also help to shape future work and play a key role in identifying research areas that align with our priorities. Excellent communication skills are a core requirement of this role. You are expected to have strong writing skills and be able to draft for a range of audiences, including reports, briefings and blogs. You will represent the Trust externally at a senior level, and you will be a confident presenter, able to engage an audience with neatly distilled complex concepts. Working with print and broadcast media is an expectation of the role and you will be well supported by our excellent comms team. You are expected to have detailed understanding of health and care policy in the UK, and this will inform your research and analysis. You will also be committed to ongoing learning, and to supporting the wider team – including through line management. Our successful candidate will be welcomed into a progressive organisation committed to improving health and care in the UK. You’ll have great colleagues, and the opportunity to lead important impactful work. This is an exciting role in a great team! Main responsibilities Accountable to a Deputy Director, the principal responsibilities will be:- Leading and undertaking research Designing research studies, including quantitative and mixed methods approaches, bringing together teams from across the Nuffield Trust and external collaborators on projects aligned with the Trust’s priorities. Demonstrating initiative in identifying areas of interest for the team to work on, and opportunities for our work to achieve impact. Leading and managing multiple research projects relating to health and care services and ensuring timely and high-quality delivery. Contributing expertise to the interpretation of results and design of studies across the research and policy team. Project, team and people management Supervising research work carried out by colleagues and helping team members develop their skills. This will include line management of team members. Acting as project lead, ensuring the effective management of project delivery teams and supporting the development of colleagues. Potentially leading a larger portfolio of work within the Trust (previous experience in / ability to lead on workforce research is desirable but not essential). Contributing to the Research and Policy directorates’ development and planning of future projects, both in-house and commissioned. Identifying and negotiating opportunities for new projects and funding streams in collaboration with other colleagues, including preparing bids and tenders in agreed areas. Working with Senior Fellow colleagues to support the Director of Research & Policy and Deputy Directors with team development and corporate/strategic initiatives. Adhering closely to the Trust’s strict research and information governance policies, ensuring appropriate storage and processing of data. Securing impact Contributing to the Trust’s response to current and emerging health policies and developments as appropriate, for example by helping to prepare briefings for the media and other audiences, including responding to select committee and other stakeholder consultations. Writing in a range of formats to disseminate the results of our research and analysis. Delivering presentations to internal and external audiences. Presenting analytical work and research findings as appropriate in broadcast and print media, journals, conferences, and other forums. Acting as a representative of the Nuffield Trust to external bodies. Developing and maintaining close links with relevant organisations, such as the Department of Health and Social Care, professional membership bodies (e.g. Royal Colleges / the BMA), Integrated Care Boards, VCFSE colleagues and NHS providers etc. Working with colleagues in the communications team throughout the life cycle of projects to identify potential impacts from your work and disseminate them effectively. Building knowledge and working with stakeholders Keeping abreast of developments in relevant areas of health and social care policy and actively participating in meetings and discussions about current policy. Building and managing working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that there is an effective exchange of information about shared work themes and projects. Actively developing your own professional and technical expertise. Contributing to the Trust’s values Upholding the ethos of the Nuffield Trust, demonstrating a commitment to our principle of objectivity and to our internal values of Boldness, Rigour and Responsiveness, Inclusivity, Curiosity and Kindness. Understanding and applying the principles of good research and information governance and abiding by the Nuffield Trust’s research policies. Undertaking any other duties which may reasonably be required in furtherance of the objectives of the Trust. Person specification Essential experience, skills and abilities Experience of designing and leading mixed methods research, including awareness of a range of research approaches, willingness to include novel methods, and ability to synthesise findings from an array of qualitative and quantitative methods into accessible, policy-relevant conclusions and recommendations. Advanced quantitative research skills, including an ability to deliver rapid, robust insights using existing data to emerging policy questions and to support and develop researchers within the team who are less experienced in such methods. Excellent analytical and critical appraisal skills. The ability to discern high-quality evidence, and to gather, analyse, synthesise and interpret complex information derived from a range of sources. Detailed knowledge and understanding of health policy in the UK. This may have a specific focus, but you should also have a broad knowledge base and an understanding of the politics of health reform. A track record of leading research and analysis aimed at influencing policy. Excellent writing skills. The ability to write clearly and concisely, including at speed for responsive work. Excellent verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex issues to a range of audiences including the most senior stakeholders. Project management experience with proven ability of working to deadlines, delivering high quality outputs and managing your time to suit changing priorities and deadlines. Experience of successful management of relationships with external partners, including funders, and a track record of raising income from externally funded work. Demonstrable ability to form positive external relationships with other relevant organisations including research and information bodies; NHS and care organisations; policy-makers; and parliamentarians. Proactive management of these relationships to ensure continued impact and access to appropriate information. Ability to lead by example, supervise the work of colleagues and to support senior and junior colleagues to achieve their targets and goals in a timely manner. Ability to work collaborative and flexibly to meet the objectives of the organisation. A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Desirable skills/experience A postgraduate degree or qualification in a related area. Previous experience of research or analysis related to the health and/or social care workforce. All employees are required to work within Nuffield Trust’s policies, ensuring these are carried out in relation to the job, e.g., Confidentiality; Data Protection; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. All employees may be asked to undertake other duties and responsibilities appropriate to their level, as determined by their Line Manager, on an occasional basis. This Job Description reflects the requirements of the post at the time of writing. The needs and circumstances may change over time and therefore the Job Description may need to be reviewed in the light of any such changes which may occur. About us The Nuffield Trust is an independent health think tank. We aim to improve the quality of health care in the UK by providing evidence-based research and policy analysis and informing and generating debate. For more information about our organisation and our work, please visit: Home | Nuffield Trust