Head of Research & Policy

Head of Research & Policy

Chartered Association of Business Schools

Location: London (40 Queen Street, EC4R 1DD) with hybrid working (2 days office, 3 days remote)
Salary: £62,000 – £65,000 per annum plus benefits
Contract: Full-time, permanent

The Chartered Association of Business Schools (Chartered ABS) is the voice of the UK’s business and management education sector. We support our members to maintain world-class standards of teaching, research, and enterprise engagement, while working with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure business schools continue to make a strong contribution to the economy and society.

We are seeking a Head of Research & Policy to lead our research function and shape policy insights that support our thought leadership, advocacy and member services. This senior role will oversee our portfolio of research projects, develop policy positions affecting the business school sector, and ensure our work provides high-quality sector intelligence to inform engagement with government and stakeholders.

The role

Reporting to the Deputy CEO and Director of External Relations, you will lead the development and delivery of the organisation’s research programme and policy analysis. Your work will inform our advocacy activity and support members with valuable sector insight.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the Chartered ABS research programme, producing high-quality publications for members, policymakers and stakeholders

• Analysing higher education datasets (including HESA and NSS) to inform policy positions and sector insights

• Designing and delivering surveys, including the Annual Membership Survey and regular Pulse Surveys

• Monitoring policy developments and contributing to consultation responses and advocacy activity

• Presenting research findings to senior audiences across the sector

• Project managing the Academic Journal Guide, a globally respected resource for business and management academics

• Acting as the executive lead for the Chartered ABS Research and International Committees

• Managing and developing the Research Officer 

About you

This is a senior position requiring an articulate and collaborative individual with strong analytical and policy skills. You will be confident engaging with senior stakeholders and translating complex research into clear insights.

You will bring:

• Experience leading research, data analysis or policy functions

• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, including survey design

• Experience producing research and policy publications for varied audiences

• Excellent data analysis capabilities and the ability to interpret trends in higher education and policy

• A track record of presenting findings to senior stakeholders and policymakers

• Experience building relationships with members and external partners

• Experience managing staff and complex projects
  

Knowledge of the UK higher education policy landscape is essential.

Experience working with HESA data, Tableau or Power BI, or within a higher education or membership organisation is desirable.

For more details, please view the job description and person specification:

Chartered ABS Head of Research & Policy job vacancy

What we offer

We offer a supportive, collaborative working environment guided by our core values of Community Building, Agile Expertise, Authentic Accountability and Purposeful Impact.

Benefits include:

• Hybrid working (minimum two days per week in the office)

• Competitive salary

• 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Attractive employer non-contributory pension

• Life assurance and wellbeing support

• Season ticket loans, cycle-to-work scheme and eye care support

How to apply

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK as we are unable to sponsor work visas.

For a successful application, please send your CV (2 pages max.) and a covering letter (no more than one page) meeting the JD and person specification to PeopleHR at [email protected]

Application closing date: 31 March 2026

The Chartered Association of Business Schools is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Reasonable adjustments will be made throughout the recruitment process where required.