Head of Research

As the Head of Research, you will lead the Education Training Foundation's research, insight and evaluation function, ensuring that evidence, data and analysis drive decision-making across the organisation and the wider FE and skills sector.

As a member of ETF's wider management team, your responsibilities will be diverse, ranging from developing ETF's research portfolio and partnerships, leading ETF's theory of change design process, through to embedding an effective impact and learning culture and robust approaches to measuring and reporting ETF's impact.

• Develop and deliver ETF's research strategy, aligned with policy and workforce need.
• Lead the design and delivery of ETF's annual Impact Report.
• Lead engagement with the Practitioner Research Programme (PRP) at Sunderland University, ensuring evidence informs discussion.
• Act as business owner for ETF's Professional Standards, maintaining their relevance and currency
• Maintain a key working relationship with the Data Insights Team, ensuring aligned insight generation.

• A degree in social sciences/ health or other relevant discipline with a research component
• Extensive experience of research in education, skills or public policy, bringing excellent analytical, synthesis skills and strong qualitative and quantitative research capability.
• Experience of procuring, commissioning and managing independent research/ evaluation partners
• Demonstrable experience of delivering capacity building, enabling learning across teams, and embedding systems/processes that support continual improvement
• Highly organised. Excellent organisational planning and strong project management skills, including managing multiple projects simultaneously

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Applicants should apply by submitting a CV and cover letter (2 pages maximum), outlining how you fulfil the requirements of the person specification.

Starting Salary: Band 2, Point 1, £60,300 per annum to start, with service and performance related progression

Contract type: Full-time and Fixed Term Contract for 2 years.

Location: Victoria, London, SW1/Hybrid

Deadline for applications: Midday 15th December 2025 (ETF reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than advertised date).

• Generous holiday entitlement (28.5 days) – Plus 3 closure days' in between the Christmas and the New Year period 8 Bank Holidays
• London Allowance of £1,000 per annum (if eligible) for hybrid working London office based staff to support commuting costs
• Pension Scheme provided by Aviva (Employer = 6% / Employee = 2%)
• Life Assurance (4 x basic salary upon death in service)
• Group income protection
• SimplyHealth Cash Plan (Enables you to get reimbursed £100s for optical, dental, physio and other day-to-day health costs, plus health and wellbeing discounts (for all directly employed staff).
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and
• Staff Training and Development
• Work-life balance policies / Flexible Working / TOIL
• Volunteering leave – 5 days in total (3 days paid and 2 days unpaid)
• Generous sick pay
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• CPD Opportunities
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to our onsite gym (chargeable at £4.99 for a day pass, £12.99 for a week pass or "26 per month) – TruConnect
• BHN Extra Discounts – Great savings over 100 brands

Every day, educators and leaders across the Further Education (FE) and Skills sector inspire curiosity, drive progress and empower learners to achieve their potential. The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) is here to champion the vital role of the FE and Skills workforce. Working in partnership, we drive professionalism by setting the professional standards for the quality of teaching and leadership across the sector. We provide educators with a pathway of professional development throughout their careers, champion inclusion and enable sector change for a thriving FE and Skills sector. Together, we are transforming lives and opportunities for learners aged 14 and above.