Lead high-quality mixed-methods research and evaluation projects from design through to delivery, ensuring work meets client expectations and NatCen’s standards.
Take ownership of proposals and contribute to winning new work, from smaller opportunities through to major strategic bids.
Manage and develop project teams, maintain oversight of budgets, timelines and quality, and build strong relationships with clients, commissioners, partners and colleagues across NatCen.
Contribute flexibly across the wider Policy Research Centre where needed.

Strong mixed-methods researcher with confidence across qualitative and quantitative research design and delivery.
Demonstrable experience of proposal writing and winning funded research or evaluation work.
Track record of delivering high-quality projects to time and budget.
Comfortable operating independently in a senior role.
Strong project leadership, line management, stakeholder management and communication skills.
Experience in criminal justice, policing, youth justice, victims, access to justice, online harms or closely related public policy areas will be highly relevant.
Experience in evaluation methods, including theory-based evaluation, will be an advantage. Relevant backgrounds could include social research or evaluation involving prisons, probation, youth offending, local authorities supporting young people at risk, or other adjacent justice and public policy settings.

25 days’ annual leave (plus 8 bank holidays), increasing to 30 days after three years’ service, with flexible working available.
Generous company pension scheme
Life insurance and health cash plan
Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan
Career development, professional subscriptions support and mentoring support from industry-leading experts

Research Director – Crime, Justice and Security

Key skills