Data, Insight and Research Partner (2 year Fixed-Term Contract)

If you're excited about the idea of working in a democratic, student-focused environment and want to work in a lively and vibrant organisation, then this job opportunity might be what you've been searching for. 

A new opportunity has arisen to join Warwick SU within the Communications and Marketing space, to develop and deliver a programme of research and insight that better understands the views and key issues affecting students. This is a brand-new role on a 2 year Fixed-Term Contract.

We are super excited to be developing capacity within this area to take our insight capability to the next level and change the way we work!

What’s on offer:

Salary: From £37,682 to £43,429 per annum, plus excellent benefits including holidays and contributory pension scheme

Hours: Full time 36.5 hours per week working from Monday (8:30-4:30) to Friday (8:30-3:30). Some evening or weekend work will be required from time to time and will be agreed in advance.

Location: 2 days per week working from home, 3 days per week from Warwick Students’ Union, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL. This will be subject to change depending on needs of the business. Occasional off-site working is required.

Closing Date: Sunday, 16^th February 2025 at 12:00

Interview Date: Monday, 24^th February 2025

Benefits: 22 days holiday plus no less than a total of 15 days at Christmas, Easter, New Year, May Day, Spring and Late Summer bank holidays or days in lieu thereof, a dedicated wellbeing programme, cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme, substantial pension scheme and salary extras. 

Who are we?
Part business, part charity, part membership body, Warwick Students’ Union is a vibrant place to work.  An independent organisation in our own right, we’re professionally run, but different. Our talented teams support elected student leaders to make change, improve lives and fulfil potential; we empower them to make all this happen.

Warwick Students’ Union is one of more than 550 students’ unions across the country. And with more than 25,000 members, over 250 societies, 70 sports clubs, hundreds of elected representatives, a huge range of services and a bold strategy, we’re one of the most exciting.

What’s the job?
We want to put evidence, data, and insight at the heart of improving the student experience by engaging and listening to student needs and ensuring that Warwick SU is data-driven and making evidence-based decisions for the benefit of our members.

We are looking for a talented researcher passionate about student-led insight and unlocking the value from internal and external data sources. We are super excited to develop capacity within this area to take our insight capability to the next level and change how we work.

Who you are:
You will be comfortable working in a democratic, student-led environment with a good understanding and interest in current issues and themes in Higher Education and Students’ Unions. 

Excellent knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research techniques, along with knowledge of best practice in market research techniques will be essential to gathering appropriate data to produce key insights. 

You will have excellent written and verbal communication, and collaboration/organisational skills are also essential to this role. 

Why apply?
The exact opposite of corporate, we’re progressive, passionate individuals working to make a difference in unconventional workplaces.

In return for your enthusiasm and experience, we offer a competitive salary for the non-profit sector, a contributory defined contribution pension scheme and excellent holiday allowance.

We’re committed to equality of opportunity for all. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability status. We want to support diverse and inclusive work environments and are actively looking for people who share our values.

Whoever you are, we’d love to hear from you.

Any queries please contact jobs@warwicksu.com.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Data, Insight and Research Partner

RESPONSIBLE TO: Communications and Marketing Director

RESPONSIBLE FOR: N/A

WORKS CLOSELY WITH: Members of the Communications & Marketing department, Student Officers, Senior Managers/Directors, Department Managers, University Research Team, Membership System Provider, External organisations

MAIN PURPOSE FOR JOB: This role will develop and lead the implementation of WSU’s research and insight strategy and activities, providing insightful market research for use across all departments, analysing and presenting findings, and making recommendations for action.

MAIN DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Research and Insight

• Responsible for designing and implementing qualitative and quantitative market research across WSUs membership base and stakeholder range.
• Working with departments to create an annual cycle of research to support strategic plans.
• Apply a range of research techniques to gather relevant information, including document analysis, surveys, case studies, focus groups and interviews (face-to-face, and online).
• To ensure the development of research systems and procedures which make engagement for students easier and more effective.
• Develop predictive models/segmentations using statistical methodologies and techniques to solve issues such as targeting, to support a direct marketing programme.
• Identify new opportunities in the areas of members’ engagement and retention.
• Mine data that is already held on levels of member engagement. For example, social media analytics, Google analytics, and membership management information around areas such as voting, ticket sales, etc.
• Gather data/insight from a range of third parties to help build a picture of what different groups of students would like from the SU.
• Identify any new direct data/insight that could be useful.
• Design questionnaires, focus groups and topic guides.
• Undertake the facilitation of small focus groups if required.
• Become a trusted expert within Warwick SU on research and analysis on all forms of engagement at the SU.
• Support Warwick SU’s student leadership team to help navigate evidence-led campaign and influencing work to relevant stakeholders.
• Support and guide our Full-Time and Part-Time Officers to engage with student-led research and maintain robust systems and processes for capturing and analysing datasets relating to the student experience.
• Co-ordinate and deliver key research and analysis projects across the academic year, in particular, SU-relevant analysis of the National Student Survey and the Student Feedback Survey in line with organisational priorities
• Support Officers so they have appropriate information to engage effectively with decision-makers.
• To foster excellent working relationships with external bodies and University members of staff.
• Work in partnership with the University of Warwick to incorporate student-focused research, consultation and co-creation activities into projects at the University to support the student experience.
• Be mindful of a coordinated, ethical and legal approach to research when engaging with student members

Analysis and Reporting

• Perform detailed analysis of membership insight to aid the development of WSU’s strategy.
• Statistically analyse data, checking for accuracy and identifying themes: compile into accessible formats for departmental reference.
• Prepare, present, and disseminate results in the most appropriate way for the data/audience. This could include, but is not limited to, verbal presentations, written reports, workshops and case studies.
• Offer research-based briefings and advice, which may involve support for others with writing action plans.
• Work with Communications and Marketing colleagues to ensure key outcomes from research activities are fed back to students in an appropriate and timely manner
• Produce briefings for Officers and staff across the organisation on relevant research findings and support them to incorporate these in work
• Any other duties, in line with the job description that may reasonably be required from time to time.

EXPECTED STANDARDS

• Undertakes best practice in market research methodologies and practices/operates in-line with the market research society guidelines.
• Keeps up to date with professional practice in this area. Undertakes training as required to keep up to date.
• Data is accurate, up to date, in the required format and gathered/stored in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and good practice.
• Excellent team working abilities and interpersonal skills.
• Projects are managed within budget.
• Continually seeks ways of improving Warwick SU’s research and insight approach.
• Information is timely, accurate, engaging, and meaningful.
• To represent the Union, projecting a professional and consistent image.
• To foster mutually beneficial professional relationships.
• Line manager is fully appraised of all key issues on a timely and accurate basis.
• Maximise interdepartmental cooperation.
• To commit to reducing the Students’ Union’s environmental impact, and promote environmental and ethical good practice
• All of the above tasks to be carried out with due regard to the organisation’s policies on Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, and Customer Care.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

• Degree or equivalent level of education
• Excellent knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research techniques
• Excellent knowledge of best practice with regards to market research methodologies

Desirable                                                                              

• Market Research Society (MRS) advanced certificate or diploma            
• Knowledge of relevant legislation including the Charities Act
• Knowledge of the HE sector, HE practices and procedures
• Knowledge of Data Protection Act and good governance practice
• Knowledge of current youth trends
• Understanding of the student movement and of student priorities

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 18 months’ experience of working within a data insight or market research role or project
• Experience of designing and delivering some of the following: surveys, focus groups, interviews, workshops or other relevant research and consultation activities.
• Data gathering and data analysis; ability to pull out key insights and findings
• Experience of managing stakeholder relationships                                    

Desirable

• Experience of working/collaborating with students or young people
• Experience of a not-for-profit environment
• Experience of a variety of database types

Competencies

Essential

• Demonstrable skills in project management, planning and organisation
• Ability to work on own initiative                        
• Trust and confidentiality
• Planning and organisational skills
• Creativity in problem-solving
• Analytical ability: qualitative and quantitative
• Strong IT skills: knowledge of the Microsoft 365 packages
• Teamwork skills including cooperation and collaboration
• Sound judgement and tact, good listening skills
• Effective report-writing and presentation skills
• Dependable and reliable
• Ability to build relationships and networks with stakeholders.
• Knowledge and commitment to Equal Opportunities
• Commitment to the principles of equality and diversity
• Commitment to continuous professional development

Desirable                  

• Demonstrable political sensitivity and diplomacy
• Methodical approach with strong attention to detail
• Results orientated
• Adaptability, with ability to remain calm under pressure
• Knowledge of Microsoft Power BI
• Understanding of AI concepts