Research & Insights Manager

The Research & Insight Manager will help The FA make better, evidence-based decisions by delivering high-quality research and translating evidence into clear, actionable insight.

Working across a range of strategic and operational priorities, the role will lead end-to-end quantitative and qualitative research, from defining the business question and selecting the right methodology through to analysis, storytelling, recommendations and activation. Areas of specific focus will likely be, but not limited to, Coaching, Stadium experience and Grassroots. 

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Acting as a trusted insight partner, the role will ensure research goes beyond describing “what” is happening to explain “why it matters” and “what we should do next.”

The role will be based at Wembley Stadium. The FA operates hybrid working, with 2-3 days in the office and 2-3 days working from home. Occasional visits to St George's Park may also be required as well as travel to other stakeholder organisations. 

What will you be doing?

• Lead end-to-end quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method research, selecting robust and proportionate methodologies for different business questions.
• Work with stakeholders to define and challenge research briefs, ensuring activity is focused on genuine organisational and decision-making needs.
• Design high-quality research materials including research briefs, questionnaires and discussion guides.
• Analyse and synthesise research alongside relevant secondary, behavioural and organisational data to develop a clear evidence-based point of view.
• Translate complex evidence into compelling stories, identifying the “So What?” and “Now What?” and providing clear, practical recommendations.
• Present insight confidently to a range of audiences, including senior stakeholders, adapting communication to maximise understanding and impact.
• Build trusted stakeholder relationships and influence decisions through evidence, constructively challenging assumptions where appropriate.
• Support stakeholders to activate insight, embedding recommendations into strategies, programmes, products and services and evaluating their impact.
• Manage multiple projects, project budgets and external agencies, ensuring quality, value for money and timely delivery.
• Apply high standards of research ethics, inclusion, participant welfare and data protection.
• Utilise appropriate use of AI-enabled research, automation and emerging methodologies, applying human judgement and validation to maintain quality and objectivity.
• Share insight and good practice across The FA, helping reduce duplication and increase the organisational value of research.
• Executes additional tasks as required to meet the FA's changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure that the highest standards of health, safety, and well-being can be maintained.
• As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

What are we looking for?

Essential for the role :

Experience

• Substantial experience in research and insight, gained within a client-side organisation and/or research agency / insight consultancy.
• Strong experience independently leading end-to-end quantitative and qualitative research including tracking studies and ad hoc.
• Comprehensive methodological knowledge and the judgement to select appropriate approaches, considering sampling, bias, data quality and limitations.
• Ability to be both a hands-on researcher e.g. Script and launch in-house research, as well as a highly competent consultant for externally commissioned work.
• Excellent analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to bring together different sources of evidence.
• Proven ability to turn research into clear implications, recommendations and actions that influence decisions.
• Excellent storytelling, written communication, data visualisation and presentation skills.
• Strong stakeholder partnering and influencing skills, including the confidence to constructively challenge senior stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities autonomously within a complex and changing organisation.
• Experience briefing, commissioning and managing research agencies, suppliers and budgets.
• Sound understanding of research ethics, inclusive research and data-protection responsibilities.
• Practical awareness of AI-enabled research and automation, including responsible use, validation and limitations.
• A collaborative, curious and objective approach, with a strong focus on continuous improvement and organisational impact.

Technical Skills

• Advanced numeracy and literacy skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Working knowledge of appropriate AI tools such as Co-Pilot
• Hands on experience with DIY research software e.g. Toluna Start / Bulbshare / Focal Data

Beneficial to have:

Knowledge

• A passion for football and/or knowledge of Grassroots sport

Experience

• Detailed knowledge of Data visualisation dashboards e.g. Power BI/Tableau
• Experience using research & insight related AI tools/platforms
• Previous experience conducting sports related insight work

Technical Skills

• Advanced analytics skills

What's in it for you?

We are committed to ensuring everyone can flourish in their roles. To achieve this, we have unique office spaces under the arch of the iconic Wembley National Stadium, which is the home of English Football. We are also delighted to offer a world-class, Elite Performance Centre, St. George's Park in Staffordshire, which is an exceptional setting to develop and inspire high-performing England teams and leaders.

We pride ourselves on offering a competitive salary as well as great opportunities to develop and grow in your role. But that is not all; we also have a range of exciting benefits, some of which can be found below:

• Access to event day tickets at Wembley Stadium, alongside a host of regular internal events throughout the season, encourages you to connect and learn with your colleagues and look after your mental health and well-being.
• Free, nutritious lunches at Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park.
• Private medical cover funded by The FA.
• A contributory pension scheme.
• An additional 'Thank You' day's leave, volunteering days, as well as 25 days of annual leave ( based on a full-time, permanent contract )
• A hybrid working model which offers greater flexibility.

For more information on what it is like to work at The FA, please visit our FA Careers page,

Currently, we are working within a hybrid working model whereby the expectation is to work from your contractual location for part of the week, and as and when required by the team. The remaining days can be worked remotely. We will continue to monitor this model, and it may be adjusted in future if deemed necessary. The contractual location of this role can be found on the FA Careers page.

We are a diverse workplace, aspiring to represent football across the country. The Football Association actively promotes inclusion and diversity, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself at work. 

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.

As part of the FA's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.