Principal Research Consultant, HR/Workforce Research and Consulting
The world of work has never experienced such rapid change as in the past 18 months. Topics like hybrid working, wellbeing, inclusion, leadership capability and skills shortages are top of the board agenda. Using evidence, research and data to inform and shape strategic decisions in people management has never been more important to achieving meaningful change in the world of work. We are a research partner to organisations, professional and sectoral bodies supporting them to generate, understand and apply insights and evidence to inform decisions and develop practice.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our HR Research and Workforce Consulting team and make a real impact on the future of work.
Making a difference through evidence-based practice
As a not-for-profit, the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) has been delivering independent, evidence-based research and consulting that makes a difference for fifty years.
The Principal Research Consultant will play a key role in leading research and consulting projects, contributing to Institute management, supporting the professional development of our colleagues, and providing thought leadership on HR practice through articles, webinars and blogs. You will enjoy promoting the work of the Institute and helping us with proposal writing and business development.
You will also work closely with our HR Member Network, providing advice and support as well as helping to grow and develop this network. As a senior member of the HR Research and Workforce Consulting team, you will provide oversight of some of our major projects across our key markets such as Health and Defence and support the more junior team members and associates we work with.
About you
Candidates for this role could come from a variety of backgrounds including:
- A research role focussed on work and workforce, including in one or more of our core markets or areas of expertise
- An in-house HR role with a focus on using evidence and data to inform workplace practice e.g. people analytics, workforce planning and analysis, employee insight
- A consultancy role with a focus on evidence-based practice, workforce planning and analysis, or one of our core markets/areas of expertise
The essential requirements are:
- Ability to advise, consult with and deliver support to organisations and others on using evidence to shape decisions and practice
- Expertise in HR research or practice, including a relevant qualification (e.g. CIPD, Occupational Psychology and/or relevant degree)
- Interest in/skills in business development
- Collegiate approach and ability to both lead and work well in multi-disciplinary teams
- Ability to build productive relationships with clients, partners and stakeholders
- Alignment with IES values, mission and purpose
Your benefits
IES is based in Brighton. However most of our colleagues work in a hybrid way and we are happy to consider applications from elsewhere in the UK provided you can attend regular team events.
We offer excellent benefits including 27 days holiday per year plus four closure days over Christmas plus bank holidays and a contributory career-average defined-benefit pension scheme (USS).
We support flexible working, and so would be happy to consider applications from candidates seeking to work flexibly or part-time.
For more information please download the job description at the bottom of this page. Candidates should submit a full CV with a covering letter explaining their interest in the post and highlighting how they meet the criteria. Please also complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form which can be downloaded from this page.
Please return your CV, covering letter and equal opportunities monitoring form to: careers@employment-studies.co.uk or post to Careers, IES, City Gate, 185 Dyke Road, Brighton BN3 1TL (Telephone: 01273 763456).
Application closing date: Wednesday 17th May 2023, midday
Because of the nature of our work, appointments will be subject to a report from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or Disclosure Scotland.
The Institute for Employment Studies is actively seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all under-represented communities and groups. We are particularly keen to attract ethnic minority candidates given their under-representation within applied social research. We are a Disability Confident Employer and are happy to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate the individual requirements of candidates with disabilities.
The Institute for Employment Studies encourages career development at all ages. Join us and work for an employer that values your experience. #AgeFriendlyEmployer
We are committed to supporting our staff at every stage of their career. That’s why we have signed up to the Menopause Workplace Pledge. Find out more about this campaign from the charity Wellbeing of Women.
At IES, our research and practice are guided by our values and our staff act in accordance with these. Our values centre on: respecting others, acting with integrity, collaboration, curiosity, excellence and compassion.
Legal note
The Institute for Employment Studies:
- is a registered charity (no. 258390)
- seeks to be an equal opportunities employer
- is an Investor in People