Research and Impact Manager
Employer: Canal and Rivers Trust
Location: Remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required for team working & collaborative meetings. Relevant hubs include: Leeds, Ellesmere Port, Burnley, Newark, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Gloucester, London.
Working hours: Full time
Salary: £57,500 per annum
Closing date: Tuesday 30 September 2025 at 01:59
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About the Trust
We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?
Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.
Our team and opportunity
Reporting to the Strategy & Impact Director, the Research & Evidence (Impact) Team Manager will be responsible for a small professional team developing the Trust’s credible, robust, transparent and comprehensive evidence base. They will be the Trust’s primary expert in impact measurement, mixed-method evaluations, and participatory research.
The Research & Impact Manager will be the Trust’s primary expert in impact measurement, economic valuation and participatory research. As such, this role would suit a candidate with a background in economics.
Location & coverage
Our Research & Impact Manager vacancy will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required for team working & collaborative meetings.
Relevant hubs include: Leeds, Ellesmere Port, Burnley, Newark, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Gloucester, London.
The regularity & flexibility of travel will be discussed further at interview stage.
See our canal network here: (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network).
About the role
Key accountabilities:
Lead on the evaluation of the Trust’s participatory programmes – overseeing the design and implementation of mixed-method evaluation plans to assess outcomes.
Lead on the production of the Trust’s Annual Impact Report and impact reports on funded programmes for funders and donors.
Lead on measurement of the Trust’s Outcomes Measurement Framework – develop and implement a robust programme, capturing social outcomes for participants, communities and other beneficiaries.
Work in partnership with academic institutions – deliver innovative research aligned with the Trust’s strategic research aims.
Day-to-day management of the Trust’s network of towpath use sensors and environmental sensors
Management of the Insight & Evidence team’s data structures and reporting tools.
Development of infrastructure to underpin team activities e.g. development and management of a repository to house research and evaluation reports.
Line management of a small team (4) of research specialists.
Maintain key relationships with;
Strategy & Impact Management Team.
National Insight & Capital Accounting Team.
Learning & Participation Development Team.
Fundraising - Head of Individual & Legacy Giving; Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships.
Regions – Community Engagement & Development Managers & the Enterprise Managers.
GIS Team – for example on demographic profiling and analysis.
Academia, Research Partners and Networks / Forums.
Specialist Research Consultants.
About you
Qualifications & attainments:
Relevant degree & post-graduate qualification in research and evaluation e.g. social science research background.
Work experience:
Considerable experience in impact evaluation and participatory research including peer reviews.
Previous experience working in the charity sector.
Previous people and team management experience
Skills:
Evidence based storytelling, excellent written and verbal communication skills to demonstrate the social impact of the Trust’s activities as well as programmes and projects in a compelling and engaging manner for policy and decision makers, partners, funders as well as donors and supporters.
Proven ability to design and undertake impact evaluations using mixed-methods approaches.
Knowledge and experience of data management and analysis.
Ability to communicate results of complex analysis to lay audiences.
Good time management and multi-tasking skills with ability to to remain calm and work to tight deadlines to provide timely analysis.
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
Supplier management.
If you have any questions about the role please contact CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
What we offer
In addition to your salary of £57,500, a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, great holiday entitlement and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits, all of which can be found here (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits).
Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
25 days paid holiday (plus paid Bank Holidays), increasing with years of service to up to 30 days after 5 years, plus holiday purchase scheme.
Home working status with ‘hub’ facilities available should you need the flexibility to work outside of home.
Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues, e.g. health, financial, well-being and domestic matters.
Access to a range of employee benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme.
2 days paid volunteering leave per annum, allowing you to volunteer for a local community project etc.
Free fishing facilities across our canal network.
We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.
All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.
At the Trust, we empower our people to flow and thrive both on and off the water. Our colleagues enjoy a variety of benefits that enhance their lives while working in a place that positively impacts others. We take pride in our people, protecting heritage and preserving wildlife, and we’re all about the future of our colleagues and the future generations who love and use our network. Inspired by people, we harness the different ways of working and thinking, ensuring our teams grow and reach their full potential.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us
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