Research Manager

Reports to: Director of Media Research

The IPA is looking for an exceptional Research Manager to join our Research team and play a pivotal role in delivering some of the industry’s most influential research programmes.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced market researcher or insight professional who enjoys combining project management, data analysis and stakeholder engagement. You will work at the heart of the advertising and media ecosystem, helping to deliver IPA TouchPoints, the UK’s flagship audience and media consumption study, alongside a range of industry benchmarking and member research projects.

Working closely with leading research partners including Ipsos, Kantar, RSMB and Telmar, you will oversee complex research programmes from questionnaire design and preparation through to quality assurance, analysis and reporting. You will also represent the IPA with member agencies, research bodies and industry working groups, helping shape conversations that influence the future of media planning and measurement.

What you will be doing

• Managing the delivery of the IPA’s flagship TouchPoints study.
• Working with research partners to ensure high-quality data and insight outputs.
• Analysing and validating data to generate meaningful industry insights.
• Leading IPA benchmark studies, including workforce and commercial surveys.
• Presenting findings to member agencies and industry stakeholders.
• Supporting wider industry initiatives and research programmes.
• Acting as a trusted research adviser to internal and external stakeholders.

What we are looking for

You will likely come from a market research, insight, media research or analytics background and enjoy working with both data and people.
You will bring:

• Strong quantitative research experience.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Advanced Excel and data analysis capabilities.
• Experience designing and managing surveys.
• Confidence presenting insights to senior stakeholders.
• Outstanding attention to detail.
• A collaborative and curious approach to problem-solving.

Hybrid working

The IPA currently has hybrid working pattern of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the office with Monday and Friday working from home. This pattern applies to most staff however certain roles including this IT Executive role may be required to come in on other days to carry out work on office-based hardware or support events. On occasion, there may also be a need to be in the office earlier and on the odd occasion to work later.

Why join the IPA?

The IPA is the professional body for UK advertising, media and marketing communications agencies. Joining our team means working alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry and making a direct impact on the research, standards and insight that underpin media and advertising decision-making across the UK.

The IPA is at the heart of the UK’s advertising and marketing community. We’re here to share valuable thinking and help our members keep raising the bar. From training and qualifications to industry leadership and advice, we support agencies and teams to thrive. Our network represents around 25,000 people across member agencies, and with more than 100 years of history, our influence now spans over 80 countries worldwide.