Average Research Director salary in London

Director of FundraisingSalary: £70,000 to £75,000 per annumLocation: Hybrid – London EC1Y/HomeJoin MQ and help transform mental health research.At MQ, we champion and fund world-class research to transform the lives of everyone affected by a mental health condition. We strive to create a world where mental illness is better understood, diagnosed, treated and, hopefully someday, prevented. We believe research is the first step towards making that a reality.We connect scientists with supporters, people with lived experience of mental health illnesses, policymakers, and practitioners, so together we can strive to understand mental health, improve treatments and prevent mental illnesses.Supported by our world-class Science Council, MQ funds research globally and works in partnership with leading organisations in the field including Wellcome Trust, the Mental Health Mission, DATAMIND, University of Oxford, Glasgow University and Kings College. In the US, we work through our sister charity the MQ Foundation.What you'll be doing:The Director of Fundraising is a senior, strategic leadership role responsible for driving significant and sustainable growth in income for MQ, with a target of achieving £10 million annual turnover over the next five years.As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the postholder will set and deliver an ambitious, data-led fundraising strategy across philanthropy, trusts and foundations, partnerships and other income streams. They will personally steward high-value relationships while building a high-performing, commercially minded fundraising function capable of supporting MQ’s long-term mission.Key Responsibilities:Fundraising Strategy & Income GrowthDevelop and deliver MQ’s overall fundraising and income generation strategySet clear income targets and KPIsPersonally lead and secure six- and seven-figure gifts, grants and contractsBuild and maintain strong, long-term relationships with major donors, funders and partnersEnsure excellent stewardship, reporting and donor experience across all income streamsPipeline, Performance & Data OversightProvide strategic oversight of the fundraising pipeline, ensuring a healthy balance of prospecting, cultivation, solicitation and stewardshipUse data, insight and CRM reporting to track performance, forecast income and manage riskIdentify income concentration risks and develop mitigation strategiesDrive continuous improvementFinancial Management & ReportingOwn the Fundraising budget, including income forecasting, expenditure control and cost-of-fundraising oversightWork closely with the Finance team to ensure accurate income phasing, reporting and financial planningProduce regular reports for the CEO, Executive Team and Board on income performance, pipeline health and risksEnsure all funding is managed in line with grant conditions, donor expectations and regulatory requirementsLeadership & Team DevelopmentProvide strategic leadership and line managementBuild, develop and retain a high-performing, motivated fundraising teamFoster a collaborative, ambitious and accountable fundraising cultureExternal Profile, Partnerships & Thought LeadershipRepresent MQ at high-level events, conferences and networking opportunitiesStrengthen MQ’s profile with funders, corporates, policymakers and partnersWork closely with the Board and Science Council to maximise fundraising and partnership opportunitiesUndertake speaking engagements where appropriateExecutive Leadership & GovernanceAct as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributing to organisational strategy and decision-makingSupport the CEO with Board engagement, particularly around fundraising strategy and performanceEnsure fundraising activity complies with all relevant legislation, regulation and best practicePerson Specification:We'd love to hear from you, if you have:Significant senior leadership experience in fundraising or income generation, ideally within the charity, research or mission-driven sectorProven track record of delivering substantial income growth and securing high-value giftsExperience leading and developing high-performing fundraising teamsStrong commercial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting and performance managementDemonstrable experience of managing complex stakeholder relationshipsStrategic, analytical and data-driven approach to decision-makingExcellent communication and influencing skills, including at Board and senior stakeholder levelStrong understanding of the UK research funding or philanthropic landscapeClear alignment with MQ’s mission and valuesThe following is highly desirableKnowledge of mental health research and lived-experience-led approachesExperience of US philanthropy or international fundraisingExperience working with Boards, trustees or scientific advisory groupsWhy Join MQ?We offer a great working experience within a friendly team. Hybrid working (in the London office Mondays and Tuesdays, with the remaining days from home). We are located near Barbican Tube.Plus, we offer lots of generous benefits and training opportunities.We're a Sunday Times Top Company to work for.BenefitsFlexible workingHolidaysWellbeing AllowanceCycle to work schemeEmployee Assistance ProgrammeCounsellingPensionLife AssuranceSeason Ticket LoanPersonal DevelopmentWe look forward to hearing from you.Closing date: 22nd February 2026Please note we reserve the right to close the job before the deadline, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.Interested?If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.We believe in equality and inclusion and we welcome job applications from everyone, provided you meet the criteria for the job.Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration and undertake a DBS check.No agencies please.

HM Land Registry safeguards the Land Registers of England and Wales, an asset valued at over £8 trillion. But behind that number are people. Citizens, professionals, businesses and public servants who rely on digital services that need to work clearly, accessibly and fairly. User research sits at the heart of that responsibility. We're partnering with HM Land Registry to recruit User Researchers at EO, HEO and SEO level, helping shape national digital services that are grounded in real user needs and evidence, not assumptions. The role These roles sit within HMLR's Digital, Data and Technology Directorate, working in multidisciplinary teams across design, technology and policy. As a User Researcher, you'll help ensure services are designed around the people who use them. You'll bring insight, structure and challenge, influencing decisions at the right level depending on grade. This is a role for people who value impact over theatre, and who understand that good research improves outcomes, reduces risk and makes services usable for everyone. What you'll be doing Depending on grade, you will: EO - Junior User Researcher Support and deliver user research using methods such as usability testing, interviews and surveysAssist with participant recruitment and research operationsCommunicate findings clearly and accessibly to delivery teamsSupport inclusive research involving users with diverse needs and abilities HEO - User Researcher Lead research for smaller services or components of larger programmesDesign and deliver research plans using appropriate methodologiesAnalyse and synthesise findings into actionable insightsBuild trusted relationships with stakeholders and advocate for user-centred designMentor junior researchers and contribute to research standards SEO - Senior User Researcher Shape research strategy for complex services and programmesLead research planning and delivery aligned to organisational prioritiesInfluence senior decision-making and challenge assumptions with evidenceTranslate research findings into strategic insight for service and policy designLine-manage and develop researchers, championing inclusive and high-quality research What we're looking for These roles suit people who understand that research is a decision-making discipline, not a checkbox. You'll bring: Experience applying user research methods appropriately and proportionatelyStrong analytical and communication skillsConfidence working in multidisciplinary, delivery-focused environmentsA commitment to inclusive, accessible research Experience in government or public services is useful but not essential. We welcome candidates from consultancy, regulated industries, large-scale digital environments or organisations delivering complex services at scale. Locations, grades and package Grades: EO | HEO | SEOSalary: £34,800 - £59,300 (depending on grade)Contract: PermanentLocations: Birkenhead, Coventry, Croydon, Durham, Fylde, Gloucester, Hull, Leicester, Nottingham, Peterborough, Plymouth, Swansea, Telford, WeymouthRoles available: 8Closing date: Monday 8 February, 23:55 Why HM Land Registry? This is an opportunity to work at national scale, on long-term services that matter. You'll be supported to develop professionally, work flexibly, and contribute to a public institution where user-centred design genuinely shapes outcomes, not just language. If you have strong User Research skills and are looking for your next adventure, apply today or contact for more information.

SEO Director – Hybrid | Central London | Up to £150kI’m recruiting an exceptional opportunity for an experienced SEO Director to join a rapidly growing digital-first business and take full ownership of its organic growth strategy.This is a senior, highly visible role where you’ll lead from the front — shaping a modern SEO function that blends data, technology, and creativity to deliver measurable business impact. You’ll own the SEO roadmap, drive innovation with AI and automation, and embed best practice across content, performance, and technical SEO.If you’re a proven SEO leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, inspires teams, and translates organic performance into commercial results, this is your chance to shape a brand’s digital direction.The Role Lead and execute a comprehensive, data-driven SEO strategy aligned with business objectivesManage and mentor an SEO Executive, setting clear targets and providing guidanceTake ownership of technical SEO, including site architecture, speed, mobile optimisation, indexing, and structured dataCollaborate with content, marketing, design, and development teams to embed SEO best practicesOversee keyword research, competitive analysis, link-building, and content optimisationMonitor performance and analytics to identify opportunities, risks, and actionable insightsReport SEO results and strategic recommendations to senior leadershipLeverage AI, automation, and emerging SEO technologies to drive efficiency and impactManage SEO budgets, ensuring effective resource allocation and ROI tracking About You 10+ years’ SEO experience with a strong understanding of current and emerging trendsProven track record at SEO Director or senior SEO leadership levelIdeally agency background with experience managing multiple complex projects or large-scale brand campaignsDeep expertise across technical, on-page, and off-page SEOProficient with SEMrush, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, Search Console, or similar toolsPassion for innovation, AI, automation, and data analytics in SEOStrategic thinker with commercial awareness, able to turn insights into business growthExcellent communicator, confident presenting to senior stakeholdersStrong organisational skills, able to deliver under pressure in a fast-moving environment What’s on Offer Salary: Up to £150k, depending on experience and seniorityHybrid working: 3 days in the office, 2 days remoteLead and build a best-in-class SEO function in a digital-first, innovative brandCollaborative environment that values experimentation, data-led decisions, and creative problem-solving If you’re an experienced SEO Director ready to shape the future of organic growth for a high-performing digital brand, I’d love to arrange a confidential chat.