About us
The Sport and Recreation Alliance believes that that the power of sport and recreation can change lives and bring communities together. With our members and in partnership with the wider sector, we make the most of opportunities and tackle the areas that provide a challenge. We provide advice, support and guidance to our members and the sector, who represent traditional governing bodies of games and sport, active partnerships, outdoor recreation, water pursuits, and movement and dance for exercise. As the voice of the sector, we work with Government, policy makers and the media to make sure grassroots sport and recreation grows and thrives. Having an active nation is important as it delivers huge benefits to society and the millions of participants, volunteers, staff, and spectators.
ROLE SUMMARY
As part of the Research & Development team established within the Alliance, the Research and Data Officer will be responsible for delivering key research and insight to help us generate increased revenues and provide enhanced services to our members.
This is a role which will demand a flexible approach, the capacity to recognise and address organisational needs and the ability to proactively design and undertake research and/or analysis to support the Research & Development team as well as the wider Alliance membership. The postholder will be based in our London office but required to travel on a regular basis throughout the UK.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Support the design and delivery of primary research to support the Alliance’s services to its members.
• To scrutinise large datasets using technical statistical analysis software packages (such as SPSS) to provide unique insights to the Alliance and members.
• Visualise datasets and analysis using software packages such as Power BI, Tableau or others.
• Draft reports and presentations synthesizing complex information into simple to understand outputs.
• Support the Research & Development team to develop project proposals based on research undertaken and contribute to the efficient delivery of projects
• Act as a key contact for research within the Alliance, building relationships with other researchers and research networks in the sector including academia.
• Develop and maintain a research database.
• Provide research and analytical support to the Policy and Governance teams as required.
• Represent the Alliance on internal and external groups to share research ideas
• Any other duties as reasonably required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Education
Degree level qualification or higher, or equivalent. Qualifications with research and or data analysis elements are mostly likely to be most relevant to this role, however, other qualifications will be considered provided candidates can meet the main tasks and responsibilities of the role.
Desirable Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience
• For this role, we are looking for candidates with a minimum of 2 years’ experience post-graduation in a relevant role. Exceptions may be made for outstanding candidates, but relevant professional, full-time experience is likely to be highly advantageous in this process.
• Clear skillset in using data analysis using technical statistical analysis platforms / tools;
• Knowledge and experience of undertaking primary and secondary research;
• Demonstrable knowledge of research techniques and how and where to deploy them;
• Ability to present complex information to non-technical audiences in reports, presentations and, where necessary, dashboard formats;
• Able to identify how research can be used to identify new income generation opportunities;
• Understanding of how public policy impacts upon funding and business decision making;
• Proactive self-starter and highly motivated with the ability to work under own initiative as well as part of a team;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate research findings to a variety of different audiences;
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and manage time efficiently;
COMPETENCY EXPECTATIONS FOR ROLE:
People and Teamwork
• Develop and apply your own skills, looking for learning opportunities, whilst recognising and respecting the skills and contribution of others.
• Accept and act on constructive feedback from others.
• Are helpful and approachable when others ask for advice or assistance, creating a positive impression.
• Play an active role in the team, making a positive contribution and reflecting Sport & Recreation Alliance values in what you do and say.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Use plain English for communication, structuring your writing to meet the need.
• Listen carefully and ask additional questions for clarification when needed.
• Regularly update colleagues, knowing when to share information and when to keep it confidential.
• Show an open mind, listening to other people’s perspectives and different opinions.
Decision Making and Problem Solving
• Are open to new and different ideas; displaying willingness to adopt good ideas seen elsewhere.
• Identify and select between suitable options, checking with others in unusual circumstances.
• Implement decisions promptly once agreed.
• Take personal responsibility for making things happen, without passing the buck or laying the blame elsewhere if things don't go to plan, whilst keeping others informed and knowing when to seek help.
Planning and Delivery of Work
• Keep promises and honor commitments, showing a professional approach, flexibility and a ‘can-do’ attitude.
• Manage your own time effectively, focusing efforts on agreed priorities and deadlines and keeping others informed of progress.
• Take pride in delivering high quality work, taking responsibility for checking your own work and ensuring delivery in line with expectations.
Benefits of working at the Alliance
Below is a list of the range of benefits we offer our employees.
• 25 days paid holiday, increasing to 27 days after 3 years and 30 days after 5 years. Paid bank holidays. You also have the option to buy an additional 5 days leave per year.
• In addition, we offer 3.5 privilege days which is taken between Christmas and New Year.
• 2 moments that matter days to be taken each year which can be used for whatever is important to you - from celebrating a birthday to a movie day.
• 4 volunteering days per year.
• No long-hours culture. Our team work hard but we strongly discourage late working. We like our team to be able to enjoy their personal life as well as their time at work.
• Centrally located attractive office in Holborn which includes collaboration spaces and is close to shops, cafes, bars, gyms and sport clubs.
• Hybrid working from day 1 – all the team do a mixture of working at home and office working.
• Focus on learning and development. The team are encouraged to discuss their career paths with their line managers as our new approach to performance appraisals. We also tap into the expertise within the sector for employees to shadow with possible mentoring opportunities and a focus on learning from each other including our Board members.
• Enhanced sick leave, maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Special leave ranging from dependents and carers leave, household emergency, moving house through to bereavement leave for family members and pets.
• Private healthcare with Vitality which includes a range of reward partners.
• £250 annually towards gym, sports club or sports equipment purchases.
• Choice of 2 pension providers.
• Access to an employee assistance programme through Health Assured should you need additional financial or emotion support. We annually train members of our team to become Mental Health First Aiders.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity is valued within our team. More than just encouraging your application, we're committed to conscious inclusion that (we hope) cultivates an ethos of belonging, connection and shared purpose. It’s this philosophy that drove us to shape our values and behaviours and we open our doors to those who share those values.
Every role in the Alliance team is open to applications from all sections of society. We believe in the potential of everyone; regardless of race, religion or belief, ethnic origin, different physical ability, family structure, socioeconomics, age, nationality, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other difference that makes you, well, you.
Our recruitment process anonymises your application at shortlisting stage. If you are invited to interview and you have a physical or mental medical condition which could impact on your ability to participate in the Alliance’s recruitment process, please let us know before your interview by emailing the recruiting manager who is recruiting for this position or HR.
How to apply
For full details of the position please visit www.sportandrecreation.org.uk.
To apply, please send a CV with a covering letter outlining why you want the role and how you meet the role specification. Your covering letter should be 2 sides of A4 maximum. Please send your CV and covering letter to recruitment@sportandrecreation.org.uk
If you would like an informal chat about the role, please contact the recruitment inbox and we will ask the recruiting manager to make contact to discuss.
The closing date for applications is 11.59pm on Sunday 3rd March 2024. Interview date to be confirmed. Please note that technical skills will be tested as part of the interview process and we may close the application window prior to the closing date should we receive a large number of applications.
Protecting your data
Prior to completing and submitting an application, please refer to our privacy notices on our website.
Equality and Diversity Monitoring
It would really help us if you were able to complete our equality and diversity monitoring survey found here. This is anonymous and does not form part of the recruitment process.
Recruitment Agencies - Please note we are only looking at direct sourcing for this role and if this were to change, we will contact our preferred agencies directly.
