Director of Research, Data & Insights

Location: Birmingham, London, Manchester

Working pattern: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week. Part-time options available.

Are you ready to use your expertise to shape the future of education and help every child thrive, whatever their background?

At Ambition Institute, we believe a great educator changes the future every day – especially for those who have had a tough start in life. Our mission is to help professionals serving disadvantaged communities keep getting better, so every child can thrive. The Research, Data & Insights team sits at the heart of this work, uncovering what makes a real difference and guiding our decisions with robust evidence.

We are seeking a Director of Research, Data & Insights who shares our belief in the power of education. This is a unique opportunity to lead Ambition’s research strategy and build our reputation as a trusted voice across education settings – including early years, schools and colleges. 

You will set Ambition’s research agenda, provide intellectual and methodological leadership, and develop partnerships to secure external funding. You will oversee our Data & Insights function, making sure we have high-quality data and evaluation to understand our reach and impact. You will champion the use of evidence across Ambition, helping colleagues use data to make decisions that benefit pupils.

As a senior leader, you will inspire a multidisciplinary team and play an active part in shaping Ambition’s wider strategy. We are looking for someone with deep expertise in research design and methodology, experience of leading high-quality research and securing funding, and a passion for improving education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This is a unique opportunity to lead Ambition’s research & insights strategy and build our reputation as a trusted voice across education settings. Together, we’re shaping the future of education to give every child the best start in life.

This role is equivalent to seniority and responsibilities (and renumeration) of a professorship.

To apply, please click the 'Apply' button above.