Head of Field

Application Deadline: 19 April 2026

Department: Social Surveys

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Romford - Ashton Gate (Hybrid)

Reporting To: Steve Woodland

Description

Role: Head of Field
Location: Ashton Gate (Romford) – Hybrid (3 days)
Salary: Competitive
Department: Social Surveys – Data Collection
Contract: Full Time

Key Responsibilities

Be a visible leader across field, inspiring and engaging teams for the purpose of motivating them to achieve high performance, driving a culture of engagement, excellence, innovation & accountability
Responsible for delivering key metrics and KPI’s
Oversee Field management team, ensuring strong leadership, consistent practices, and shared operational discipline
Own the workforce plan for the national field operation, including capacity forecasting and workforce optimisation
Accountability for the field data collection budget, ensuring delivery to budget and identifying opportunities to increase value for money and identify opportunities for savings via operational efficiencies
Drive the adoption of new technologies and digital tools to modernise Field operations

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

Evidence of leading, motivating & managing remote teams and individuals
Experience delivering against operational targets and KPIs
Experience of data-driven decision making
Evidence of budget responsibility
Experience of working with multiple internal stakeholders

Benefits

As well as a competitive salary, attractive bonus structure and excellent working environment (including a home/office hybrid working environment), you will be working for the largest independent social research organisation in the UK. We are proud of the benefits we offer our employees which include:

25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) and flexible working
Generous company pension scheme
Life insurance and health cash plan
Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan
Career development, professional subscriptions support and mentoring support from industry-leading experts

About the National Centre for Social Research

At The National Centre for Social Research we believe that social research has the power to make life better. By really understanding the complexity of people’s lives and what they think about the issues that affect them, we give the public a powerful and influential role in shaping services that can make a difference to everyone. And as an independent, not-for-profit organisation we’re able to focus our time and energy on meeting our clients’ needs and delivering social research that works for society.

Our Values & Behaviours

We Are Curious

Uses data to improve field performance and delivery
Explores new approaches to workforce management

We Move with Purpose

Drives delivery against operational targets
Aligns workforce planning to demand

We Act with Integrity

Ensures fair and compliant field practices
Maintains quality and ethical standards

We are proud to say we are a Disability Confident Committed Employer, so if you require any reasonable adjustments during the interview process please make us aware and we will endeavour to support you to help you showcase your best self during our hiring process.

Applied

Screening Call

Review

First Interview

Presentation Task

Final Interview

Hired