Research Manager

Location: Sheffield/Hybrid working

Salary: £49,358 per year rising to £51,768 per year

Vacancy Type: Full-time

Closing Date: 26^th of July 2026

Social Work England are the specialist regulator for social work in England, focused on enabling positive change in social work. Every day, social workers support millions of people to improve their chances in life. We are taking a new approach to regulating social workers in their vital roles. We believe in the power of collaboration and share a common goal with those we regulate – to protect the public, enable positive change and ultimately improve people’s lives.

Working to the Head of Research, the role will lead and execute the organisation’s research activity gathering high quality evidence and insight to inform decision making, policy development and regulatory practice. Our research manager will shape and deliver a strategic programme of research, combining commissioned external work with in-house projects to build a strong and credible evidence base.

What you will do

Lead and deliver the organisation’s research, working closely with key senior leaders and colleagues across the organisation to propose and shape our research design and methodology to ensure our research is robust, evidence-based, and clearly aligned to organisational priorities.
Lead the organisation’s approach to commissioned research and manage procurement from an annual research budget, applying strong public procurement and co-production principles in commissioning.
Alongside the head of research, provide expert and strategic advice to the executive leadership team and board, bringing knowledge of research in social work and regulation to ensure that the organisation is led by insight and evidence.
Lead the development and application of robust research methodologies, ensuring our work is consistently shaped by high‑quality engagement, evidence and insight, and remains responsive to evolving business needs. Develop and drive a systematic approach to managing research partnerships, strengthening our influence within key research communities and elevating our external profile.
Provide leadership to direct reports and the wider team supporting development and providing constructive challenge and feedback. Build capability and continuously improve ways of working, ensuring the work of the team is aligned to our strategic objectives.
Make effective decisions based on the best available information, with an astute understanding of when to escalate risks, consult with colleagues from across the organisation, and involve executive leaders.
Work effectively in matrix and project structures, working in a way that clarifies objectives, outputs and responsibilities for members, and contributes to clear, evidenced, advice and recommendations.

About you

At Social Work England, our values are at the heart of everything we do. We are fearless, independent, ambitious, transparent, collaborative and we act with integrity. We’re looking for colleagues who live these values every day.

In addition, for this role you will need:

Experience of research development and delivery, including the creation and management of independent research commissions, ideally in regulation and social work.
Skills and experience in identifying research questions, using quantitative and qualitative research methods to explore lines of enquiry.
Track record of researching complex issues, generating evidence to support organisation problem solving, reaching conclusions and making strategic recommendations to colleagues.
Effective leadership skills with an ability to set clear objectives for team members and motivate them to deliver to a high standard, at times under pressure.
Experience of undertaking and commissioning research with an expert understanding of research methods and sound procurement and coproduction principles.
Experience of working in matrix-style teams and in formats that cross organisational hierarchies to produce written products that reflect the breadth of the organisation’s expertise and interest.

Please note: This is brief list of requirements for the role, please click apply to see the further list of information.

The Benefits

In addition to your salary, we also offer:

Hybrid working
25 days annual leave, rising with service to 30 days per annum, plus bank holidays.
The option to purchase up to an additional 5 days of annual leave per annum.
A TIDE award-winning inclusive culture, with staff networks, social events and forums.
A contributory NEST pension, life insurance, an employee recognition scheme and cycle to work scheme.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Social Work England, please proceed through the following link to be redirected to our website to complete your application.

https://jobs.socialworkengland.org.uk/vacancy/research-manager-614719.html

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Research Manager