Higher Education Research Director

The opportunity

We have a well-established Higher Education (HE) portfolio and a strong reputation across the sector, working with organisations such as Jisc, HESA, the Office for Students and the Department for Education. We're now looking for an experienced HE insights, research or consultancy professional to help us build on that success and further expand the work we are building up with universities and other sector bodies.

This is a highly visible role that combines sector expertise, relationship building and commercial impact. With a particular focus on growing our university client base, you will play a leading role in strengthening IFF's presence within HE, helping clients understand the value of insight and evidence, identifying new opportunities and supporting the continued growth of our HE offer.

Working closely with colleagues across the business, you will help shape opportunities, build trusted client relationships and ensure that IFF continues to deliver high-quality research that addresses the sector's evolving needs.

As a HE expert within our team, you will:

• Support the growth of IFF's HE portfolio by developing existing relationships and identifying new opportunities.

• Lead high-profile research projects that support universities, policymakers, and HE bodies and help shape studies that address the sector’s key challenges.

• Act as an ambassador for IFF, helping clients understand how research, insight and evidence can support decision making and strategic priorities.

• Contribute to proposal development, commercial discussions and work-winning activity.

• Work with colleagues to shape innovative research approaches and solutions that meet client needs.

• Help strengthen IFF's profile in the sector through networking, thought leadership and engagement with HE stakeholders.

• Support the development of our HE offer, bringing insight into emerging sector priorities, challenges and opportunities.

This role is particularly focused on helping grow our presence within HE and expanding the impact of our work across the sector.

About you

We're looking for someone who combines an expert understanding of the HE sector with a collaborative and commercially aware approach.

You’ll be confident engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, able to adapt your style to different audiences, whether speaking with marketing and student recruitment teams, institutional leaders, policy stakeholders or sector partners. You’ll be naturally curious about the challenges facing universities and motivated by helping clients identify solutions through insight and evidence.

You may currently be working within a research agency, consultancy or insights environment, or have built your expertise through a HE-focused role with expertise in areas such as strategy, policy, student experience, communications, marketing, insight or research.

Most importantly, with your understanding of the sector, you will have the ability to build relationships, spot opportunities and contribute to business growth.

Key areas of experience:

• Expert knowledge of the HE sector, its priorities and key stakeholders.

• Experience within market research, insights, consultancy or a related professional services environment.

• A track record of developing client relationships and contributing to business growth.

• The ability to communicate complex issues clearly and confidently with diverse audiences.

• Experience contributing to proposals, bids or business development activity.

• An appreciation of both the strategic challenges facing universities and the role that insight can play in addressing them.

• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.

This is a senior role within a collaborative environment where you will work alongside other Directors across Higher Education and the wider education team and contribute to the development of team members..

Whether you're established at a senior level or ready to step up, we're interested in speaking with people who can combine sector credibility with commercial impact.

Why join us?

• A friendly and supportive work environment, true to our value of “being human first”

• Genuine flexibility, with hybrid working, a 4 day week and the ability to flex when you work around our core hours of 11-3

• Learning culture, with ongoing investment in your personal development

• Competitive remuneration, including 12% pension contributions

• 28 days’ annual leave (+ bank holidays), increasing by one day at 3 and 5 years’ service

• PLUS a range of nice perks designed to bring the team together such as all team events and team lunches