Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

More in Common is seeking a full-time Deputy Director for Research who will work closely with the UK Team across our core areas of research, communications, partnership, and client work. The Deputy Director will lead More in Common's research team, training new recruits, setting strategic priorities, and acting as quality control for our research outputs.

ABOUT MORE IN COMMON

More in Common is a research agency working across the US, UK, Germany, France, Brazil, 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 2026, More in Common has a range of exciting projects in the pipeline, including:

Understanding the key dynamics of local elections in England and Scottish and Welsh Parliament elections, and the political landscape continues to fracture. Embedding our new Seven Segments with a wider range of organisations, including developing new products and training offers to help people understand the segments. A deep dive into our 'Dissenting Disruptor' segment who are disillusioned with mainstream politics and driving the rise of Reform UK. Working with a range of partners to help them understand their audiences and bring their key policy aims in line with public opinion, on topics ranging from sustainable transport, to international development aid, to social media regulation and more. 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 full-time Deputy Director for Research as we grow our team and advance our mission of building a more united and inclusive UK, where all people feel respected, better understood, and share a sense of belonging. More in Common UK is a small team with a start-up culture where everyone is expected to execute a range of responsibilities.

The Deputy Director for Research will work closely with the UK Team across our core areas of research, communications, partnership, and client work. The Deputy Director will lead More in Common's research team, training new recruits, setting strategic priorities, and acting as quality control for our research outputs.

The Deputy Director for Research role involves:

With the Deputy Director (Strategy and Development) manage More in Common UK's work programme and oversee the activity of junior staff. Ensure that More in Common's UK outputs are of the highest quality and genuinely lead to impact in line with our mission. Design and support the creation of new and innovative additions to More in Common's UK research offer. Support the development of More in Common's research team, including identifying skills gaps and supporting training of junior staff. Lead strategic communications projects across the UK team's programme of work for both clients/partners and More in Common's own communications activity. Play a leading role in More in Common's UK business development and fundraising with a particular focus on managing the consultancy arm of our work and revenue generation - including inculcating a programme of 'new business' across junior staff. Work closely with More in Common's communications consultants to maximise opportunities for dissemination of the UK team's work. Deputise for the UK Director in meetings with clients, funders and with global colleagues along with the Deputy Director (Strategy and Development). With the UK Director and Deputy Director (Strategy and Development) help to design the strategy for the UK team's work. Support More in Common's programme of events and partner engagement - including More in Common's Party Conference events.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

This role requires someone who has experience managing research teams within the polling industry.

5+ years of experience in market research, polling, or political analysis is essential for this role.

(Anyone who lacks this experience can consider applying for the role).

In addition, the following will be an asset for this role:

Track record of delivering genuinely interesting and high-quality research into public opinion in the UK. Experience with and deep understanding of quantitative and quantitative research methods. A desire to work on both long-running years' long research projects, whilst also responding to the news of the day and working fast to produce rapid insights for the media and clients. Deep understanding of UK politics and the role research and communications play in shaping public policy outcomes. An ability to write well, at pace, and for a range of audiences, and to give feedback on other team members' writing to improve their quality. A public profile presenting public opinion analysis to the media and/or on social media. An ability to manage projects from start to finish, handling both budget and time management, and dealing with large and complex clients. An eye for a good story; an ability to design research projects that will perform well in the media and experience of writing press releases to make research understandable and interesting to the media. An entrepreneurial mindset and a history of securing new business and writing funding proposals to large funders. A desire to help foster a collaborative, supportive, and high-performing research culture where team members are motivated and enjoy their work. Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop early- and mid-career researchers, especially in a small team environment where people learn quickly by doing A desire to experiment and try new things to improve More in Common's work flow and continue our track record of innovations.
OTHER INFORMATION

With over 70 staff across six countries, each member of our team makes a vital contribution to our impact, and we put a strong emphasis on team selection and values. We look for people who:

Are curious, rigorous, restless, energetic and creative Are able to think ahead and get big stuff done Are committed to a process of ongoing learning Have direct experience with and understand people from different perspectives and backgrounds Are excited to do work that works across political divides and that promotes shared national identities Are interested in reaching left behind communities Are excited to work with heart as well as head Want to be part of finding practical solutions
COMPENSATION AND CONDITIONSCompetitive salary (60,000-72,500) plus excellent benefits including private health insurance, generous leave policy, and a personal learning and growth budgetDIVERSITY AND INCLUSIONWe 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 Friday 21 November at 23:59.

Applications should include a short cover letter (max. one page) and a CV.

Please

apply

using the link below

https://more-in-common.jobs.personio.com/job/2420153?display=en

We are aiming to make an appointment by w/c 15th December.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 60,000.00-72,500.00 per year

Work Location: In person