Research Officer – Commercial Intelligence

Job description

The Department

Market research is critical to the success of any organisation ensuring it is able to anticipate and adapt effectively to change and ultimately to succeed.

The market researchteam is responsible for gaining insight and strengthening the position of key audiences:

  • Students’ Unions and NUS
  • Commercial clients and suppliers
  • Students
  • Internal customers
  • Public sector departments and charities

The department manages these relationships through formal communication programmes and longer term strategies, working in consultation with the Senior Management Team and the Board.

Details of the post

Purpose of the post

To support the continued commercial success of NUS Services through providing dedicated commercial intelligence and business analysis resource. To develop and fully project manage internal market research to support the teams at NUS Services to support existing and new income streams.

Research projects will be varied and will be tailored to the needs of the team at NUS Services, including:

  • Analysing the success of NUS Extra
  • Understanding new business models
  • Compiling monthly statistics
  • Researching the demand for, and impact of, company events
  • Understanding the effectiveness of communications initiatives
  • Gaining commercial intelligence into the student lifestyle

We may also need you to work on one or more of the exciting external projects and programmes that we have as part of the wider research team.

Accountability

The position will report directly to the Research Manager.

Line management responsibilities

None, although the occasional management of subcontractors may be required.

Salary

The salary is £24,000 per annum, pro rata.

Status

This is a 12-month fixed-term position from September / October 2012. It is a full-time role based at the NUS Services offices in Macclesfield. Occasional evening and weekend duties and some overnight stays may be required, as will occasional visits to alternative NUS offices.

Objectives of the post

Project set up

  • Work with the Research Manager to set up each research project
  • Create systems and processes appropriate to projects and programmes
  • Develop project resources as required
  • Develop teams of external project stakeholders as required

Fieldwork

  • Design, recruit run and project manage quantitative fieldwork as required
  • Recruit, project manage and personally conduct qualitative fieldwork as required
  • Manage external fieldwork contractors, if required

Analysis

  • Analyse datasets from quantitative work using SNAP / Excel
  • Use existing experience to apply novel methodologies to analyse qualitative research
  • Share headline findings with project team for comment and co-ordinate responses
  • Manage external transcribers / contractors if required

Report writing

  • To draft final reports / presentations using storytelling techniques
  • To write updates as required, circulating for comment
  • To manage contractors if required

Project administration and finances

  • To provide regular updates on project budgets
  • Ensure timely delivery of key milestones to secure payments from funders stakeholders
  • Manage project administration, maintain project records and produce management reports as required

Communications and managing relations

  • Continue positive relations with NUS teams
  • Represent projects and Company at key events

Other duties

  • Submit project updates for business and enterprise committee review (four per year).
  • Support members of the Ethical & Environmental Department as part of our Group values.
  • Other duties as may reasonably be required by the Research Manager and/or Ethical & Environmental Manager

The successful candidate

Essential / Desirable
Education /
  • Relevant degree or equivalent qualification/level of experience.
  • Professional research qualification.
/
  • Post graduate qualification or equivalent level of experience.
  • Member of Social Research Association and / or Market Research Society.

Knowledge and experience /
  • An understanding of the Higher Education sector.
  • Experience of managing complex market research projects outside of the academic environment.
  • Experience of keeping records and project administration.
  • Experience of implementing primary research.
  • Experience of managing and writing-up focus groups.
  • Experience of relevant research tools e.g. SPSS / SNAP.
/
  • Experience in analysing commercial company data

Skills /
  • Ability to set priorities, balance workload and deliver work on time.
  • Strong research, data management and analytical skills.
  • Excellent attention to detail, and thorough and methodical in all aspects of work
  • Strong communication skills.
  • IT literate, with a detailed knowledge of Microsoft Office.
  • Good presentation skills.
/
  • Ability to work with minimum supervision.

Other /
  • The desire to work within an agreed code of behaviour which reflects the Group’svalues.
/
  • Awareness of diversity issues.

1