£60,394 – £60,394MidFull Time
Job reference number: 3914
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: Monday 1st June 2026 at 23:59
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Salary: £60,394 per annum
Grade: 10
Are you interested in leading a small, innovative research team within the London Assembly, working to hold the Mayor to account and investigate issues of importance to Londoners?
The London Assembly is looking for a talented Research Manager to join its Scrutiny Team, where you will be supporting members to scrutinise some of the key challenges facing London and examining the Mayor’s policies to address them.
The Research Unit (RU) Manager will lead a distinct group of 3-4 multi-disciplinary research staff, providing data and statistical support services to the committee support side of the scrutiny team.
As the new manager, you will also take lead responsibility for developing a RU service, to produce independent papers on the GLA, Assembly, and issues of topical interest to Londoners, for use by Assembly Members, staff, and the wider public. You will be a key part of ensuring the London Assembly’s work is informed by a wide range of evidence and diverse voices and inputs.
As such, we are looking for someone with excellent research and analysis, with experience and enthusiasm for developing new ways to present information and data. You will have exceptional drafting and editing skills in order to commission and approve Research Unit papers, and strong political judgement to ensure impartiality and timeliness of RU products.
As the Research Unit Manager, you will also commission subscriptions, resources and training for use by the wider Scrutiny Team.
You will be responsible for developing relationships with research teams in the GLA, across London, and with UK assemblies, identifying opportunities for cooperation with a range of organisations (including across the academic sector) and leading resulting projects.
You should have experience managing staff and motivating a small team. As part of this role, you will also develop and manage secondment opportunities into the team.
Ideally, you will have experience of working in a political environment or directly with politicians.
Principal accountabilities
If you have a question about the role or would like to discuss it informally, please feel free to contact Zoe Oliver-Watts at zoe.oliver-watts@london.gov.uk to arrange a call. There will be a webinar on Teams for prospective candidates on Friday 22 May at 10am – 10.30am. This will share information about the job, and also provide an opportunity to ask questions. To join this webinar, please email Zoe Oliver-Watts for an invitation, or follow this link on the day.
Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role. Please upload a personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words to the ‘Additional Documents’ section of the form, ensuring you address the following technical requirements and competencies in your personal statement. Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images.
The GLA Competency Framework Guidelines further detailing each competency and the different level indicators can be found here: GLA competency framework
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Technical requirements/experience/qualifications
1. Knowledge and understanding of political, policy and governance issues relating to London and the UK more widely.
2. Proven experience working with research and data projects.
3. Experience establishing and successfully carrying out a programme of policy projects.
4. Experience leading and managing researchers and delivering complex projects to tight deadlines.
5. Experience of operating effectively in a political environment.
6. Degree or equivalent experience.
Behavioural competencies
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
… is gathering intelligence (information, opinion and data) from varied sources, making sense of it, testing its validity and drawing conclusions that can lead to practical benefits.
Level 4 indicators of effective performance:
PLANNING AND ORGANISING
… is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
Level 3 indicators of effective performance:
MANAGING AND DEVELOPING PERFORMANCE
… is setting high standards for oneself and others, guiding, motivating and developing them, to achieve high performance and meet the GLA’s objectives and statutory obligations.
Level 3 indicators of effective performance:
This role is based at City Hall, in the Royal Docks, Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE
The GLA operates a hybrid working model and employees are expected to be in the office 2-3 days a week on average. . As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.
London's diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.
In addition to a good salary package, we offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.
Political Restriction
This job is ‘politically restricted’ under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989
