Head of Behavioural Science

Role Overview

Ipsos Public Affairs are leaders in social research and evaluation. The Centre of Social and Behavioural Change (CSBS) sits centrally, working alongside the range of policy areas in Public Affairs.

We apply behavioural science across a range of important policy areas. The focus of this role is on helping solve key challenges relating to energy, transport, health and online harms.

Behavioural science is having an increasingly significant impact across public policy. The role is an exciting opportunity to help Ipsos further invest in and develop the successful application of behavioural science across the public and third sector, at a local, national or international level.

As part of a fast-growing team, you will be generating client value through the application of behavioural insight – both as a stand-alone function, but also designing and testing interventions and evaluating impacts for policy.

We are looking for an ambitious, commercially minded Head of Behavioural Science (Director Level). This role will suit someone with proven experience of leading bids, directing client projects, and supporting the growth of behavioural science more broadly across Ipsos. We are looking for applicants with a proven track record of delivering behavioural insight and developing interventions in either a UK Government behavioural insights function, agency or consulting environment.

You will be supported but will be given autonomy and leadership to develop your career.

If this sounds like you, please read on…

What will I be doing?

You will be working with the Head of Behavioural Science in Public Affairs to help public sector organisations implement successful behaviour change programmes, and help further establish the Behavioural Science specialism in Ipsos.

This involves working in collaboration with our policy, methods, data analytics and innovation experts to help clients scope, design, implement and evaluate behaviour change programmes. The role will work across a wide variety of policy areas, supporting the delivery of behaviour change relating to energy use, environment, travel and transport, health, and online behaviours and regulation.

The role involves:

• Driving business development and growth of behavioural science in PA. As well as building effective client relationships and leading our responses to proposals, developing solutions and commercial propositions.
• Directing research projects through the full project cycle, from design, to data collection, analysis, conclusions and recommendations. Ensuring projects are delivered to budget and timescale.
• Thought leadership and profile raising, helping us grow our market presence, demonstrating (through publications) how the application of behavioural science creates value for individuals, organisations and society.
• Consulting on application of behavioural science, including leading evidence reviews, application of behavioural frameworks, theories of change, intervention design, testing and evaluation across relevant opportunities in PA.
• Harnessing innovation and mixed methods, applying a mixed methods approach, to inform intervention mapping, design, testing and evaluation. This may include deliberative research, quasi experimental designs, or data science; drawing on novel approaches such as passive data and neuroscience and conducting.
• Supporting internal and external training and capability building. Designing and running training courses, producing toolkits and resources. Building internal networks to raise awareness of behavioural science generally at Ipsos. Developing external partnerships with Universities and Suppliers.

Ipsos UK offers a hybrid working environment, 3 days in the office and working the rest from home. 

What do I need to bring with me?

Expertise: We are looking for someone with a first degree in psychology, (or similar) and/ ideally a Masters or PhD (but this is not essential). This could include behavioural economics, behavioural science, neuroscience, health psychology, social psychology, applied psychology, anthropology.

Experience: We are looking for applicants with a proven track record of delivering behavioural insight and developing interventions in either a UK Government behavioural insights function, agency or consulting environment.

Excellence: the skills and attributes we are keen to see demonstrated are:

• Proven ability to support effective behaviour change through insight, design and evaluation, including use of innovative methods and experimental design.
• Flexible and creative thinking, entrepreneurial initiative and commercial acumen to help develop and grow application of behavioural science.
• Leading winning proposals and responses to tender, designing solutions to answer complex strategic policy challenges.
• Good leadership and communication skills, alongside ability to develop strong internal networks fostering collaboration and teamwork.
• Ability to balance competing demands of a fast-paced commercial environment, with proven ability of delivering projects to timescale and budgets with limited supervision.
• Expertise in one or more of the following key behavioural challenges facing the public sector at a national or local level: energy use, environment/climate change, transport and active travel, health, wellbeing., consumer regulation or organisational change.

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 health & wellbeing, financial benefits and professional development opportunities. 

We realise 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 have a hybrid approach to work and ask people to be in the office or with clients for 3 days per week. 

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 recognise 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 Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. We are dedicated to providing 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