Deputy Director (new public opinion-focused initiative)

We are setting up a new research initiative in the UK focused on public opinion hosted at the Meliore Foundation.

This new initiative - which will have its own distinct branding - will study the narratives, messengers and experiences that are shaping voter opinion on the issues that will define politics in the coming years, conveying that insight to media and stakeholders invested in ambitious policy change. We also explore the way electoral battlegrounds are changing and how this might influence policy dilemmas faced by politicians.

We are looking for a Deputy Director who will work to build an initiative  that can influence the political and media landscape in the coming years. The right candidate for the role will be able to contribute to aspects of the research but will mainly direct the initiatives’s communications strategy and media relations, building our profile and establishing trust among target audiences, especially media. This will be vital to our success.

In terms of our outlook, our starting point is that the public’s views on any given policy issue are usually not fixed but in flux; pulled in different directions by competing or even contradictory currents. We try to surface these currents in our research and freely publish and promote our findings, with a view to understanding where there is space for progressive policy change. 

Most of our research currently focuses on the UK but we occasionally publish international, comparative pieces of work. We are funded by the European Climate Foundation (ECF) and the Meliore Foundation (where we are also hosted). 

How you'll contribute

The key responsibilities of the post are:

• Direct the media strategy and pitching for new research, crafting and executing media sell-in approaches for these outputs with a view to maximising impact.
• Identify areas of interest to media - particularly to political media and commentator audiences - and ensure these are reflected in our research. 
• Proactively spot reactive opportunities through which we might insert our existing research into the media debate and deliver on those, raising the profile of the initiative. 
•  Build trusted relationships with political parties,  civil society and other groups.
• Occasionally represent the project in the media, if strategically necessary.
• Represent the project to funders,partners, agencies, and others in the space. 
• Alongside the Line Manager, shape the initiativen’s long term direction and strategy, particularly with respect to our communications strategy. 
• Alongside the Line Manager,  manage the day-to-day running of the initiative, including liaising with stakeholders and research partners. 
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and reporting on communications efforts, as and when required
• Line management of any future recruits. 

Our ideal candidate has

• A strong understanding of what narratives about policy and public opinion are of interest to political journalists and commentators at any given time. 
• Extensive and demonstrable experience of selling research to journalists and commentators, ideally on topics of political salience. 
• A strong understanding of political parties and the elite audiences and narratives that influence them. 
• A basic familiarity with quantitative (eg polling and message testing) and qualitative research (eg focus groups) approaches.
• An ability to think strategically, marrying the initiative’s aims and goals to any communication strategy rather than letting the latter dictate the former. 
• Comfort with the unpredictable landscape, fast pace, and often reactive nature of the political research and communications field.
• Fluency in written and spoken English. 
• Strong interpersonal skills, determination and persistence - we will be building something from the ground up! 

Why join us?

• Work with a bunch of dynamic, culturally diverse individuals who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work.
• Enjoy regular opportunities to connect and collaborate with colleagues around the world. 
• Contract length: 1 year contract, with a good chance of renewal
• Salary:  £70,000 full-time
• Hours: full time or part-time (minimum 3.5 days a week), part-time preferred
• Location: negotiable but London preferred

Only candidates with the right to work in their location will be considered.

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, with successful applicants invited to interview within two weeks of their application.