Associate Director - 12 Month FTC (Public Affairs)

About the role

Join Ipsos Scotland's highly respected Public Affairs team and play a key role in delivering research and evaluation that informs policy decisions and public services across Scotland and the wider UK. For more than 30 years, our team has partnered with government, public sector and third sector organisations to provide robust, high-quality evidence that shapes programmes, services and policy.

This is an exciting 12-month maternity cover opportunity for an experienced Associate Director to lead a diverse portfolio of qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method research and evaluation projects. Working closely with clients, stakeholders and the Scotland Senior Management Team, you will oversee projects from design through to reporting and dissemination, ensuring the highest standards of quality and impact.

Alongside project leadership, you will contribute to business growth through proposal development, strengthen client relationships, provide subject matter expertise, and support the development of more junior researchers. You'll join a collaborative, supportive team known for delivering work that stands up to scrutiny and makes a genuine difference to citizens, organisations and policymakers.

About you

• Experienced in delivering high-quality research and evaluation projects that inform policy and decision-making.
• A confident relationship builder, able to establish credibility with clients, stakeholders and colleagues at all levels.
• Strong leadership skills, with a passion for coaching, mentoring and developing others.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to identify opportunities and contribute to successful business development activities.
• Naturally curious and analytical, with a talent for turning complex evidence into clear, actionable insights.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on project delivery.
• Resilient, adaptable and collaborative, thriving in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present findings and recommendations with clarity and impact.
• Proficient in leveraging and championing AI tools to enhance research, analysis, reporting and day-to-day productivity.

Essential skills

• Proven track record of leading and delivering research and/or evaluation projects for public sector clients from inception through to reporting and dissemination.
• Strong knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and their application to social policy and programme evaluation.
• Experience managing project budgets, timelines, risks and resources with minimal senior oversight.
• Demonstrable success in business development, including leading and contributing to winning proposals.
• Strong client relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentation delivery.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing project teams and junior researchers.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Knowledge of Scottish public policy and experience working with the Scottish Government or other Scotland-based public sector organisations.
• Experience within policy areas such as energy, environment, economic development, communities, health, or children and families.
• Familiarity with evaluation frameworks, approaches and methodologies.
• Experience developing and maintaining relationships with private sector clients.
• Advanced application of AI-enabled tools and technologies to improve research quality, operational efficiency and client delivery.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you as an individual. Our standard benefits include 25 days annual leave, pension contribution, income protection and life assurance. In addition, there are a range health & wellbeing, financial benefits and professional development opportunities.

We have a hybrid approach to work and ask people to be in the office or with clients for 3 days per week. We appreciate you may have commitments outside of work and will consider flexible working applications.

We are committed to equality, treating people fairly, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment and ensuring we have diversity of people and views. We recognise that this is important for our business success. A more diverse workforce enables us to better reflect and understand the world we research and ultimately deliver better research and insight to our clients.

We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident scheme, certified as a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. We provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Your application will be reviewed by someone from our Talent Team who will be in touch either way to let you know the outcome.

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