Senior Research Executive

Salary: £31,200 – £42,000 per year

The utilities team is focused research focused on the journey to Net Zero: customer attitudes and take-up of low carbon technologies (LCTs) such as electric vehicles, heat-pumps and other innovative technology. As the UK Government drives toward Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, we are looking to grow this area of expertise. To do so, we need someone with an entrepreneurial approach to help develop and lead on new research initiatives.

We are proud of our reputation as specialists in customer and stakeholder engagement across the utilities sector, with clients who are leading gas and electricity suppliers, network operators, water companies, transport providers, regulators and consumer groups.

Key Responsibilities:

• To take on day to day responsibility for the management of research projects:
• Coordinating all stages of the research process from project commission to successful completion
• Delivering projects on time, to budget and in line with client expectations
• Maintaining excellent relations with clients and suppliers to maximise effective project execution
• Creation of all first drafts of research materials associated with a study – from questionnaire design to data specifications and presentations
• Ensuring that all research materials are effectively checked and managed
• Creating accurate, visually appealing and insightful presentations and delivering these in a persuasive way
• Presenting results to clients in face-to-face / video conference debrief meetings
• Ensuring that all budgeted costs related to a study are evaluated before (kick-off), during and after a project has been closed
• Participating in business development activity e.g.
• Keeping in touch with existing clients between projects
• Finding insights to share with prospective clients
• Writing sections of research proposals
• Social media activity e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter
• Attending networking events and conferences
• Asking for referrals
• To work as part of a committed and dedicated team to deliver high quality service to all clients and hence maximize client retention and team development
• To develop the skills of more junior team members through on the job training and mentoring
• To participate in and contribute towards specific company initiatives within internal teams such as IT, office, social, marketing, storytelling, behavioural economics, supplier relationships, service, and training

Skills & Experience Required:

Candidates must be educated to degree level or equivalent, and have good experience of quantitative research at least some of which will have been gained within an agency environment. In addition:

Essential:

• Proven ability to coordinate projects throughout the project lifecycle
• Proven ability to manage and enhance client and supplier relationships
• Experience of a variety of ad hoc research methodologies:
  
  • particularly online, CATI, CAWI

• Impeccable analytical skills/ability to interpret numerical data, including intermediate SPSS, Q or similar software skills
• Ability to write in a clear, succinct and compelling manner. To think beyond the research and deliver key insights
• Strong communication skills and the ability to demonstrate this both verbally and written
• Desire to contribute to the ‘team spirit’ that makes all projects and the company a success

 Desirable:

• Relevant utilities sector experience or social research experience
• Line management and/or training experience
• Confident and proactive, with a passion for challenges and own development