Job Title: Research Assistant

Job title: Research Assistant

Post number: PA5021

Reports to: Head of Data & Insight

Department: Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement

Location: Edward Street

Grade: 5

Purpose of the role:

To support the department in the delivery of a successful consent/communication preferences campaign to ensure the Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement department can comply with the requirements of the new general data protection regulations (GDPR) due to come into force in May 2018 and especially the elements concerning email communications.

Without consent, it will not be possible for the department to contact alumni and friends by email and this will have a significant negative impact on the department’s results and also will stop the university being able to derive full value (in terms of financial and in-kind contributions) from a wide community of alumni and friends.

This role will draw on existing marketing and behavioural science knowledge to devise a series of communications that can be tested to help identify the composition (in terms of content, format, signatory, etc.) most likely to result in positive responses/actions from our alumni and friends.

Line management responsibility for: N/A

Main areas of responsibility:

·  To work with the Head of Data & Insight to assess the business challenge faced by the department in terms of GDPR and especially the future of email communications and outline a campaign to overcome this challenge, using behavioural science techniques;

·  In liaison with the Head of Data & Insight, produce a clear timeline for this project to ensure momentum is maintained and the department is appropriately prepared for the advent of GDPR with agreed milestones and deadlines;

·  To draft and circulate a series of email communications to test a range of options (in terms of subject line, message content, look and feel, signatory, time of sending, etc.) with agreed sample sizes enabling the department to draw insights from the data arising from these communications;

·  To determine how these communications and the responses received will be analysed and reported upon in order to help the department address this business challenge;

·  To collate and analyse the data produced to enhance the communications resulting in the provision to the department of one or more versions that have elicited the most positive responses;

·  To provide recommendations to help enhance future communications with alumni and friends based on experience of this project;

·  To actively and positively participate in the wider work of the department, ensuring own activities complement all existing departmental activities.

General responsibilities

These are standard to all University of Brighton job descriptions.

·  To undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser grade.

·  To adhere to the University’s Equality and Diversity Policy in all activities, and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.

·  To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.

·  To work in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

The person specification focuses on the knowledge, qualifications, experience and skills (both general and technical) required to undertake the role effectively. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria. You will be assessed by your completed application form (A), at interview (I) and in some instances through an exercise (E).

Essential criteria / A, I, E
Knowledge / ·  A broad understanding of consumer research and behavioural science and motivation to keep knowledge up to date;
·  Demonstrable ability to analyse and research complex ideas, concepts and theories;
·  Knowledge of data protection legislation and an understanding of the impact of the forthcoming GDPR;
·  Ability to contribute creative solutions to business challenges and to provide constructive feedback, where appropriate;
·  Ability to write and produce compelling messages;
·  Communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) and able to understand the information needs of others;
·  Confident in producing presentations and conclusions of findings and communicating these clearly, concisely and persuasively to a range of audiences, including those unfamiliar with statistical data;
·  Evaluation and analytical skills, able to synthesise, interpret and clearly present information and data via a range of standard and advanced research techniques. / A, I
A, I
A, I
A, I, E
A, I, E
A, I, E
A, I
A, I
Qualifications / ·  A social science degree or relevant equivalent experience of high level analytical, communication and problem solving work;
·  A current postgraduate student on one of the university’s Masters courses in Marketing within the Business School. / A
A
Experience / ·  Experience of drawing insights and recommendations from data analysis;
·  Experience of using and adapting effective techniques for communication and influencing behaviour/attitudes;
·  Experience of working with confidential data. / A, I
A, I
A, I
Managing people / ·  Awareness of utilising time of colleagues as effectively as possible. / A, I
Technical/work based skills / ·  Experience of using SQL;
·  Experience of accessing and querying within a CRM database. / A, I
A, I
Other requirements / ·  The role requires regular engagement with academic colleagues in the Business School who are supporting this project;
·  The role requires occasional evening/weekend work / A, I
A
Desirable / ·  An interest in alumni engagement and/or fundraising for Higher Education;
·  A working knowledge of ThankQ or similar sector-specific customer relationship databases;
·  Previous experience in an office environment. / A, I
A, I
A, I

·  Any appointment is generally made at the bottom of the salary range for the grade dependent upon experience and previous salary.

·  This is a part-time for 22.5 hours per week and is fixed-term post for 3 months to fit in around course commitments.

·  It is intended that this work will form the basis of a postgraduate dissertation and therefore one or more colleagues from Brighton Business School will act as an academic supervisor.

·  Annual leave entitlements are shown in the table below and increase after 5 years’ service. In addition, to the eight Bank Holidays, there are university discretionary days between Christmas and New Year. All leave, including bank holidays and discretionary days, is pro-rated for part time employees.

Grades / Basic entitlement per year / Grades / After 5 years’ service
1-3 / 23 days / 1-3 / 28 days
4-7 / 25 days / 4-7 / 30 days
8-9 / 27 days / 8-9 / 30 days
Band 10 and above / 30 days / Band 10 and above / 30 days

·  More information about the department can be found here: Professional Services Departments

·  Read the University’s 2016 - 2021 Strategy

·  The University has an attractive range of benefits and you can find more information about them on our website.

Date: January 2018