Head of Policy Research

We are seeking an experienced Head of Policy Research to join our team. This is a senior and strategic role, responsible for team management and leading key research projects, providing subject matter expertise and liaising with stakeholders. The role is responsible for the delivery of research and projects under their remit and contribution to the development of new research, working closely with other senior leaders and external stakeholders.

The Pensions Policy Institute (PPI) is an educational research institute established to help improve later life outcomes. We are independent and an expert across all elements of the UK pension system. We contribute facts, analysis and commentary to help stakeholders, decision-makers and law-makers take informed policy positions and decisions on pensions and retirement income provision.

Direct reports:                Permanent researchers x3 and contractors (on an ad hoc basis)

Reports to:                       Deputy Director

Responsibilities

• Leading the research team, managing the resources and interaction with the modelling team
• Managing relevant external research associates, brought in from time to time to complete projects
• Generating input into the overall research plan with ideas for new areas of research
• Producing scopes and bids and working with external sources to secure project funding
• Building relationships with others in the academic community and Government
• Representing the PPI at events and conferences, and in discussions with Government, the pensions industry and other stakeholders. 
• The management and production of PPI research projects:
  • To ensure the timely delivery of quality outputs from the policy researchers and relevant research associates
  • From time to time, subject to workload: to research and draft PPI publications including conducting literature reviews and desk-based research, analysing and interpreting data from a policy perspective, developing conclusions from analysis, presenting data and report writing
  • To participate in discussion groups and seminars on pensions policy issues and contribute to developing the PPI’s research agenda and profile.
• Line management responsibilities for direct reports:
  • Workload management
  • Support / mentoring
  • Appraisals / on-going reviews
  • Development / training plans
  • Resource availability

​Essential skills:

• A working knowledge of the UK pension system (or the ability to acquire this knowledge quickly) or work experience in social policy research.
• Proven high quality research skills, including desk and internet research, and the ability to lead research projects in a pro-active way.
• Proven ability to interpret statistics/ modelling results (the candidate is not expected to undertake modelling or handle large data sets themselves).
• Excellent report-writing and data presentation skills, drafting for public, or non-technical, readers in plain English.
• Experience of presenting research findings in seminars or conferences.
• Management of a small team of professionals.
• Good project management, organisational an time management skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and leadership skills and demonstrable team player qualities.
• The capability to work independently.

​The successful candidate will be required to provide evidence of the right to work in the UK and two referees.  One should be the current/most recent employer and/or prior employer but they will not be contacted without prior consent. The successful candidate will also need to maintain an independent point of view to fit with the PPI’s non-political, fact-based stance.

The PPI takes the security of your data seriously. It has internal policies and controls in place to ensure that your data is not lost, accidentally destroyed, misused, or disclosed, and is not accessed except by our employees in the proper performance of their duties.

Location

We are a hybrid organisation and operate a remote working policy which means staff spend some time working in the office and some time working remotely. It is important that the successful candidate builds strong relationships across the team as a whole and with our stakeholders.  As most of our audiences and sponsors are mainly based in London, there will be a strong case for the successful candidate being London based, or able to come to London as frequently as required. We therefore anticipate that the normal place of work will be at the PPI office in Central London.

Diversity and Inclusion

We aim to build, develop and retain a talented workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences. We welcome and actively encourage applications from anyone who feels they’d be a good fit for our organisation, regardless of race, religion, colour, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity or any other protected characteristics.