Ipsos Public Affairs are the leaders in social research. We bridge the gap between government and the public, providing robust research and analysis. We cover broad issues that shape the delivery of public services in modern society and how to engage the public in the policy-making process.
This vacancy is within the Public Communications Unit (PCU) team. Working in PCU provides exposure to diverse topics across government (as well as some third sector and commercial organisations), including health, pensions, digital culture, and food standards, both domestically and globally.
We've tackled projects such as developing communication strategies against substandard medicines in sub-Saharan Africa, understanding public perceptions of misinformation in the UK, evaluating campaigns against violence towards women, and creating messaging for climate change policies. Our work impacts various areas, from enhancing public understanding to influencing policy-making and promoting beneficial behaviour changes.
What will I be doing?
As a Graduate Research Executive, you’ll be encouraged to take responsibility from the outset - thrown straight into working on live projects for some our clients. You will gain exposure to a variety of research approaches, whilst working alongside industry experts. Your daily responsibilities will include:
- Work with both quantitative and qualitative data, supporting research projects from inception and design through to data delivery and reporting
- Provide quality assurance and uphold data integrity and accuracy in all stages of the project including questionnaire scripts, fieldwork administration and reporting
- Learn and employ key project management skills - you’ll see the end to end project life cycle including taking client briefs, working through timelines and costings, research design (for example questionnaire and topic guide development), quality control, and liaising with our fieldwork specialists
- Learn about how advertising and communications work, so you can work collaboratively with communications, media and digital teams and agencies
- Focus on answering our clients’ communications research questions, so they can quickly take action to get the best value for their communications spend
- Help us think about how we can deliver our conclusions and recommendations in an engaging and meaningful way
- Deploy innovative and creative research methodologies whilst upholding the most robust standards of social research
What do I need to bring with me?
- A passion and enthusiasm for the type of research and work this team delivers; we love seeing the results of our work in our clients’ communications and campaigns
- A hunger to unpick questions into their constituent parts, to diagnose opportunities and be able to influence decisions
- The ability to work efficiently under pressure and to be accountable for managing your own workload
- Exceptional organisational skills as well as the ability to multi-task and work towards multiple deadlines
- The ability to work creatively and think commercially with a curiosity and drive to learn, understand and improve, using trouble-shooting skills to think on your feet
- Strong interpersonal skills – the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively
- An understanding of the marketing/ advertising/ communications world would definitely be a bonus but isn’t essential
Along with
- The unrestricted right to work in the UK
What is in it for me?
Our Generation Ipsos programme provides a comprehensive foundation in research and how it’s practically applied in a commercial environment. You’ll be trained in client management, project and operational management, equipping you to partner with researchers, Project Management colleagues and other teams to deliver excellence for our clients. You’ll learn through real life, hands-on experience, webinars, seminars and specialist workshops.
We’ll provide you with dedicated training designed to achieve the industry recognised Market Research Society (MRS) Advanced Certificate accreditation. Networking is a key skill, so we have Early Careers events with other Graduates, Placement Students, and Interns across the company.
Having a flexible working culture where we support our colleagues and celebrate our successes is important to us. We invest our time in you and you’ll benefit from working alongside our expert teams.
Your manager will help you set goals to achieve your personal objectives throughout the year and help you exceed these.
And the fun stuff
- 25 days’ holiday which increases over time to 30 days, plus an extra day for your birthday
- Annual summer and All Staff events
- Team socials, including Christmas parties
- Season ticket loan
- Future talent loan - an optional and interest-free loan of up to £1000 to help with any unexpected costs, so you can focus on having a great start to your career
- A huge variety of benefits e.g. pension contributions, income protection, winter flu jabs, eye care vouchers, online and high street discounts
- Opportunity to participate in and benefit from participation in our multiple Diversity and Inclusion Belong groups, which bring together people with shared identities and interests to ensure that their voices are heard through the company and that Ipsos can continue to carry out research that is most representative of the UK and wider world today.
Please note, we are looking for candidates to start ASAP in this role.
We are committed to equality, treating people fairly, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment and ensuring we have diversity of people and views. We recognise that this is important for our business success - a more diverse workforce will enable us to better reflect and understand the world we research and ultimately deliver better research and insight to our clients.