Director

The Resolution Foundation is seeking a new Director, to work closely with the Chief Executive to develop and deliver the overall strategy of the organisation; to drive the next phase of the Foundation’s work; and to lead our research and policy programme.

As stagnant living standards continue to be at the heart of the UK’s political and economic challenges, the Foundation has established a reputation as a rigorous data-driven think-tank with influence across the political spectrum. Seeking to maximise our impact, we want to build our capability to make even more innovative, practical and specific policy proposals. The Foundation is at an exciting moment: conducting influential research that addresses both long-term challenges as well as topical issues, making social investment in technology that improves work, and forging new collaborations.

This is a senior position, deputising for the Chief Executive, overseeing our research and policy programme and team. The Director will continue to deliver our high-quality influential research, while playing a pivotal role in growing the team’s policy capability and maximising the Foundation’s impact.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in public policy (be that in its delivery in government or elsewhere, or associated research) and economic research, and the capability to lead and develop the team, maintain the rigour of our research programme, and develop policy proposals that lead to real improvements in the lives of low and middle income families.

What does the role involve?

This is a senior leadership role at the heart of the Resolution Foundation, with responsibility for developing and delivering our entire research and policy programme. The Director will also work closely with the Chief Executive to shape the organisation’s strategic direction and ensure that our work has the greatest possible impact on the lives of people on low and middle incomes.

This is an exciting moment to join. The Foundation is at a pivotal point: we have an outstanding record of analytical rigour and research impact, and we now want to go further – producing not just excellent research, but sharper, more specific policy proposals that drive real change. The Director will be central to leading that evolution, bringing both the experience to oversee a high-performing research team and the vision and skills to deepen the Foundation’s policy ambition.

The Director will take on these responsibilities in addition to the leadership responsibilities of our departing Deputy CEO, including line management of the Research Directors and leadership of the Foundation’s entire Research and Policy team. This includes overseeing the design and delivery of our work programme across all areas – including living standards and distributional analysis, labour markets, housing, productivity and economic growth, and public finances. The postholder will also play a key external role, engaging with senior stakeholders in government, the media and across the policy world, and representing the Foundation at seminars, conferences and public events.

This is a permanent role based at our Westminster office. We welcome applications for full-time or part-time hours, with a minimum of four days a week required.

What kind of person are we looking for?

We are looking for an exceptional individual with a passion for improving living standards and the skills to lead a world-class research and policy organisation. The successful candidate will combine analytical depth with policy ambition – someone who can interrogate rigorous research and also drive the development of the specific, credible policy proposals that make that research count.

The role would suit someone with extensive senior experience in public policy, applied research, or a combination of both – whether in government, think-tanks, academia or elsewhere. They will be a strong and inspiring leader, capable of bringing out the best in a talented team while also being an effective external voice for the Foundation’s work.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working across the breadth of the Foundation’s agenda, and will bring the credibility and relationships to engage at the highest levels of government and the policy world. Most importantly, they will share our ambition to see the Foundation play an even more significant role in shaping the policies that improve people’s lives.

For full details about the role, including the job description, person specification and application process, please download the application pack.

Closing date: 08:59 am on Friday 14 August 2026

First-round interviews: 7 September 2026

Second-round interviews: 21 September 2026