Job purpose:

You will be responsible for leading Runnymede’s research team and delivery with oversight of research development, our project portfolio and responsive research engagements.

The role will involve providing effective leadership and oversight of all our research activities. This includes: building relationships with key funders, partners and decision makers; leading a programme of research aligned to our strategic plan; overseeing the quality, timely delivery and management of finance and risk across programmes and projects; and ensuring that our research work is aligned with our policy and public engagement efforts and our work achieves positive impact.

This is a key role with the potential to shape the UK’s research and policy narratives on race and inequalities with one of the country’s leading think tanks on race and social justice. You will bring extensive experience in applied research, a track record in leading complex projects, and a deep understanding and passion for our work in furthering racial justice.

Responsibilities and main duties

• Oversee Runnymede’s full research portfolio, ensuring effective delivery of research programmes and partnerships, meeting milestones, budgets, and reporting requirements.

• Provide leadership to the research team, enabling them to deliver high-quality outputs using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies that examine race and inequality in key thematic areas.

• Develop and nurture strategic partnerships with external stakeholders to expand research capabilities and further deepen understanding of race and inequalities in the UK.

• Manage the end-to-end delivery of research projects, including planning, risk management, funder reporting, and successful project launches.

• Work with communications and engagement teams to ensure research findings are accessible and widely disseminated, driving public engagement and policy impact.

• Strategically lead the development of research methodologies, tools, and impactful visual outputs, ensuring they align with the needs of the communities Runnymede serves.

• Represent Runnymede externally at events, sharing research findings and promoting the organisation’s work as a key ambassador.

• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to shape the strategic direction of Runnymede’s research portfolio, team development, and fundraising priorities.

• Foster a supportive and inclusive organisational culture, championing equality and diversity values while promoting collaboration across all levels of the organisation.

Interview Schedule

Candidates will hear back about their application status on 11th of February, and interviews for shortlisted candidates will be conducted on 18th of February.