Research Manager (B3)

Consumer Scotland was established by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020 and formally took on its statutory functions and powers on 1 April 2022. As a Non-Ministerial Organisation Consumer Scotland is independent and accountable to the Scottish Parliament. The staff of Consumer Scotland are civil servants.

As the statutory body for consumers we work with business, the public sector and consumer champions to put consumer rights, needs and interests at the heart of markets, services and policy. We are committed to working in a way which is fair, transparent, collaborative and evidence-driven and we use data, research and analysis to inform our work.

Consumer Scotland provides consumer advocacy and advice with a view to -

• Reducing harm to consumers in Scotland
• Increasing confidence among consumers in Scotland in dealing with businesses that supply goods and services to consumers
• Increasing the extent to which consumer matters are taken into account by public authorities in Scotland
• Promoting
  • sustainable consumption of natural resources, and
  • other environmentally sustainable practices, in relation to the acquisition, use and disposal of goods by consumers in Scotland
• Otherwise advancing inclusion, fairness, prosperity and other aspects of wellbeing in Scotland.

Consumer Scotland works across the economy, looking at issues across the public, private and third sectors. We are the levy-funded advocacy body for the electricity, gas, heat network, post and water sectors in Scotland. Our Work Programme sets out our plans for 2026-2027 in these particular markets, as well as within the wider economy.

The Research Manager role sits within Consumer Scotlands Analysis, Research and Investigations Directorate and will be line managed by the Head of Research. Research Managers work closely with colleagues across Consumer Scotland, particularly our Policy and Advocacy Directorate. Research Managers also work collaboratively with external stakeholders, including government, regulators, consumer groups, service providers and other public and third sector bodies.

Consumer Scotland is committed to ensuring that its policy advocacy is based on robust evidence. Consumer Scotlands Research, Analysis and Investigations Directorate is central to this ethos, producing rigorous, high quality and policy relevant research and analysis that has impact.

Role and Key Responsibilities

The post-holder will work as part of the Research Team within Consumer Scotlands Research, Analysis and Investigations Directorate.

This team primarily provides research leadership and support to the policy teams in Energy, Heat Networks, Water, Post and Consumer Markets. This includes leading the procurement of research projects and project managing commissioned research as well as undertaking literature and evidence reviews. To date the research projects have used a range of methodologies and the research team lead a range of projects, particularly those using qualitative research methods.

The Research Manager will also lead the production of high-quality presentations, policy briefings and reports based on the research findings including supporting the development of actionable recommendations leading to impact.

As part of a relatively small team, the post-holder will work on a wide range of consumer related issues. You will be supported by the Head of Research to work with colleagues across the directorate and wider organisation to deliver high quality research. Projects the research team led during 2025/2026 included:

• Deliberative research project exploring consumer views on Scottish Waters proposals for future charging and investment
• Qualitative research with heat network operators and suppliers to understand their approach to metering and billing
• Qualitative research to identify solutions that can improve the provision of postal services for Island communities
• Qualitative research on the lived experience of consumers experiencing water debt

In previous years the team have also provided support to projects exploring consumer attitudes, behaviours and experiences in relation to the transition to Net Zero, understanding the experiences of disabled consumers living in Rural Scotland and on the challenges facing private sector tenants when they seek to resolve an issue with their landlord.

The post-holder will therefore be required to have a good knowledge of research design and of the relative merits and weaknesses of a range of different research methodologies particularly in relation to qualitative research. As a member of the research team, they will also manage the commissioning and delivery of external research projects.

While it is unlikely that a candidate will have expertise in all of the subject areas that fall within the remit of Consumer Scotland, subject expertise of relevant experience in at least one of the key areas will be an advantage. This could include energy markets, water, consumer protection, sustainability and net zero, consumer behaviour or another relevant field.

Supported and directed by the Head of Research and the Director of Analysis, Research and Investigations the post-holder will:

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Consumer Scotland by leading and managing research projects that that supports Consumer Scotlands strategic and statutory objectives
• Provide insight on topical consumer issues through undertaking literature searches and reviews
• Provide methodological and analytical advice and guidance to colleagues across Consumer Scotlands functions.
• Lead the design of robust, effective and impactful research projects to develop Consumer Scotlands evidence base by supporting colleagues to design high quality, policy relevant, research
• Commission and manage externally commissioned research projects including ensuring that the research is delivered to a high standard and contributes to Consumer Scotlands evidence base

Critically review, synthesise and write up evidence using clear and accessible language findings, including from literature reviews and research reports supporting the production of high-quality, impactful policy reports, presentations and blogs which including specific actionable recommendations.

Essential Criteria

1. Lead Criteria: Demonstrable track record of designing research projects including developing aims, objectives and research questions and deciding between qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies.
2. Ability to lead the procurement of commissioned projects
3. Significant experience of managing the delivery of impactful research projects using qualitative research methodologies for a policy purpose
4. Knowledge of consumer issues in at least one of the policy areas covered by Consumer Scotland and a willingness to work across other areas falling under our remit.
5. Excellent planning and organisational skills including the ability to prioritise and plan activity to achieve deadlines when working on a number of different projects simultaneously and use initiative and judgement
6. Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, able to critically evaluate, interpret, quality assure and summarise a broad range of evidence for a policy audience in a clear and accessible style. Able to cut through complexity to bring clear, relevant and intelligible findings and recommendations to a range of audiences and stakeholders.

Desirable criteria

1. Previous experience of working within the consumer landscape
2. Experience of undertaking research and analysis to inform policy development
3. Experience of designing and delivering qualitative research projectsusing either deliberative or participatory or behavioural science methods.