Manager, Research and Data Management (RDM)

About the role

The RDM Manager is responsible for managing day-to-day research, data, and Monitoring & Evaluation projects within the RDM function. The role translates departmental plans into concrete project scopes and timelines, oversees execution, and ensures that research and data outputs are robust, timely, and usable by operations and service teams.

The role needs a curious, self-directed problem solver who can clarify ambiguous questions, independently drive projects, engage stakeholders, synthesise and organise evidence, and turn information into actionable insights.

Responsibilities

The role contributes to Mindfull’s community mental health mission by ensuring that research, evaluation, and data initiatives are well-planned, well-executed, and practically useful for decision-making.

• Manage research and evaluation projects

Plan, coordinate, and deliver research and evaluation projects (e.g. outcomes studies, programme evaluations, needs assessments), including defining scope, methodology, timelines and resource requirements.

• Ensure methodological rigour and ethical practice

Develop and/or adapt research instruments, sampling approaches and analysis plans; ensure compliance with research ethics, data privacy and organisational policies.

• Lead analysis, synthesis and insight generation

Clean, manage, and analyse quantitative and qualitative data to identify patterns, implications and recommendations, presenting evidence in reports, dashboards, and presentations that support organisational learning, programme design and decision-making.

• Support data systems and governance

Work with IT and relevant teams to improve data collection processes, data quality checks and documentation; apply agreed data standards, and identify internal policies and SOPs for data governance, research ethics, data privacy, and dissemination.

• Stakeholder engagement and influence

Facilitate discussions with Programme/Services, Comms, HR, Finance and other functions to clarify needs, surface assumptions and co-create solutions. Engage stakeholders across different functions and seniority levels, asking meaningful questions and challenging assumptions constructively where suitable.

• Process improvement and capability-building

Identify opportunities to streamline RDM workflows, templates, and reporting; contribute to data literacy and evidence-use initiatives as assigned by the Deputy Head.

• Drive project planning and delivery

Translate broad objectives into project scopes, workplans, milestones and deliverables, anticipating risks, dependencies and stakeholder needs. Proactively identify and resolve issues that may affect project progress.

Requirements:

(Skills / Knowledge / Abilities)

• 3-5 years’ relevant experience in research, data analytics, evaluation, public policy or related fields, preferably with exposure to social services, healthcare, or public sector settings.

• Strong working knowledge of research methods and/or evaluation frameworks (quantitative and/or qualitative), including hands-on experience in designing studies, managing data and conducting analyses.

• Proficient in data tools (e.g. Excel, statistical software, survey platforms, data visualisation tools) and comfortable working with both numerical and textual data.

• Demonstrated experience leading projects or workstreams independently, including planning, coordinating with multiple stakeholders and delivering outputs to agreed timelines and quality.

• Demonstrated ability to break down ambiguous problems into key questions and information gaps, synthesising information to develop recommendations and options, and communicating reasoning clearly.

• Good written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing structured reports and presentations for stakeholders of differing levels.

• Organised, detail-oriented and adaptable, able to manage multiple concurrent projects and deadlines.

• Some experience in supervising junior staff or interns will be an advantage.