Research Manager - More in Common UK

JOB SUMMARY

More in Common is seeking a Research Manager to oversee and deliver high-quality research projects. They will work across our core areas of research for clients, media and communications, political polling and partnerships; More in Common UK is a small team with a start-up culture where everyone is expected to execute a range of responsibilities. The role will be based in our London office Monday-Thursday with Friday at the office or working at home.

ABOUT MORE IN COMMON

More in Common is a research agency working across the US, UK, Brazil, Germany, France, Spain and Poland to tackle polarisation and division. More in Common leads and supports initiatives to build more united, inclusive, and resilient societies. Our mission is to understand the forces driving us apart, help societies find common ground and bring people together to tackle shared challenges. 
 
In the UK, our work is best described as being part consultancy and part think tank. We provide a full suite of research services including polling and focus group research; evidence reviews and secondary data analysis; audience mapping and audience strategy; strategic communications strategy and campaign development. More in Common are members of the British Polling Council. 
 
Our work is informed by our ground-breaking segmentation of the British public. This unique values-based lens to our quantitative and qualitative research means we can understand not only what the public thinks of the big challenges facing British society today – but crucially why they think it. Our insights help leaders in government, the media, business, and civil society to develop better strategies and communications – particularly in reaching disengaged communities far from the Westminster/London bubble – and to better navigate tricky and divisive issues. 
 
Over the last year, More in Common has published agenda-setting thought leadership on a whole range of debates facing British society – including exploring the public’s starting points on assisted dying and immigration; understanding how the British public is navigating major debates from trans and gender identity to the conflict in Israel and Palestine; and our political research has helped policymakers and politicians understand the dramatic fragmentation of our politics. Our work is regularly covered in the British press and media and we’ve developed a series of partnerships with broadcasters and newspapers to deliver top-quality research insights. In the 2024 General Election, we were among Britain’s most accurate pollsters and used our focus group research to put people and public opinion at the centre of coverage of the election campaign.
 
Through our consultancy, More in Common has also supported dozens of partners with insights and strategic communications support. We’ve helped national institutions such as the BBC, British Library and National Trust to better understand their audiences, we’ve helped partners in government and civil society with the set-up and delivery of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and we’ve supported a range of partners to test their policy proposals from the National Farmers Union to Rethink Mental Illness among many others.
 
In the second half of 2026, More in Common has a range of exciting projects in the pipeline, including: 

• Understanding the key dynamics of public attitudes to climate change and the energy transition.

Exploring public opinion on immigration, integration and multiculturalism.

Embedding our new Seven Segments with a wider range of organisations, including developing new products and trainings to help people understand the segments.

Helping navigate declining trust in institutions, for example exploring why trust in universities and science appears to be falling.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

More in Common is seeking a Research Manager to oversee and deliver high-quality research projects. They will work across our core areas of research for clients, media and communications, political polling and partnerships; More in Common UK is a small team with a start-up culture where everyone is expected to execute a range of responsibilities. The role will be based in our London office Monday-Thursday with Friday at the office or working at home. 
 
Research

• Design and manage quantitative and qualitative research projects from inception to delivery, ensuring methodological rigour
• Provide excellent client management to our partners and ensure all outputs for clients are high-quality
• Lead on survey design, questionnaire development, and analysis of public opinion data, including complex polling and focus group datasets and transcripts
• Synthesise findings into clear, compelling narratives that provide actionable insights for clients
• Stay abreast of developments in research methodology, polling practice, and the UK public opinion landscape, bringing new approaches into More in Common's work 
• Contribute to the development of More in Common's research agenda, identifying gaps and opportunities for new projects
• Secure new research projects for More in Common by building relationships with and reaching out proactively to potential partners, cultivating opportunities in areas of relevance to our mission

External Engagement

• Represent More in Common in external settings including media appearances, roundtables, events and conferences

Communicate research findings to diverse audiences including policymakers, civil society, and the media

Build and maintain relationships with research partners, academic institutions, and partner organisations  

Management

• Line-manage and support the development of research associates, providing day-to-day guidance, feedback, and structured professional development
• Contribute to organisational planning and team management processes
• Support a hard-working, intellectually-curious and fun team culture, modelling More in Common's values internally and externally
• Play an active role in organisational development, including contributing to hiring processes, onboarding and team culture.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

We look for great people before we look for specific qualifications and experience - so we are always open to applications from candidates with great potential but limited experience. 
 
However, for this role we are looking for someone with experience leading research projects for clients in a professional, rather than academic, setting: for example, in a think tank, research agency, comms or PR firm or other policy, public opinion or political organisation. The role is not suitable for someone whose primary experience is academia as we are looking for applied professional experience of client management.
 
The following are the key elements we’re looking for:

• Demonstrable experience leading high-quality quantitative and qualitative research projects in a client-facing, professional context - including ideally public opinion research or polling
• Experience working at pace to deliver high-quality outputs for paying clients
• A strong understanding of the UK political system and a keen interest in current affairs and public policy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

A desire to work in a fast-paced environment

Experience interpreting quantitative and qualitative data and producing outputs that tell a compelling story from this data.

Experience or the demonstrable ability to secure funding for new research projects or other new business

Some quantitative analysis skills, including some coding proficiency, are desirable but not essential

Some data visualisation skills, with the ability to communicate insights to diverse audiences.

Curiosity for understanding and engaging people, and a desire to use data to tell insightful stories about Britain today 

We understand that not everyone with the required skillset with this role will have all of the above – that is fine. We are most interested in your intellect, aptitude and experience to date, and your willingness to throw yourself into tackling some of the biggest issues in understanding the forces driving British society apart.

COMPENSATION AND CONDITIONS

Competitive salary plus excellent benefits including private health insurance, generous leave policy, and a personal learning and growth budget.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

We will have a better chance of uniting divided societies if our team reflects a broad range of social and cultural backgrounds, beliefs, political opinions, and life experiences. We particularly encourage applications from underrepresented and minority communities
 
More in Common wants to meet the aims and commitments set out in our equality policy. This includes not discriminating under the Equality Act 2010. We will include a set of questions related to this in our email acknowledging your application for this role - this will help us understand the diversity of our job applicants.  Answering these questions are completely voluntary and anonymous. The information provided will be kept confidential and will not be linked to your application. The information is going to be used to help us understand the diversity of our organisation.

DEADLINES AND HOW TO APPLY

The application deadline is Sunday 19 July 23:59.
 
Applications should include a short cover letter (max. one page) and a CV.
 
Please apply following the link below.
 
Indicative Timeline (please note these dates remain subject to change) 

• Initial conversation with a hiring manager - w/c 20 July 
• Interviews - w/c 27 July
• We expect to make an offer to the successful candidate by late July.