Audience Research Manager, Nations News

JOB BAND: D
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time
DEPARTMENT: Chief Customer Officer Group
LOCATION: Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, London or Salford – Hybrid
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: up to £60,800 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights. London weighting may be applicable.

We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application – though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Audience Research Manager for Nations News helps the BBC understand and serve audiences across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English Regions. The role turns audience data into clear, actionable insight that informs editorial and strategic decisions. Working in the Nations News team, you’ll guide day‑to‑day work for Senior and Research Executives, support consistent and simple ways of working, and build strong relationships across editorial, planning and Audiences to enable confident, strategic partnership.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

If you want your insight to influence real decisions, Nations Audiences offers a unique opportunity. We help the BBC understand people across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the English Regions, working closely with teams in News, Video, Audio and Sport. You’ll turn data into compelling stories and practical recommendations, supported by modern, streamlined ways of working and a collaborative, thoughtful culture. If you’re driven by meaningful insight and public impact, this is a great place to grow.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

• Lead Audience Research Projects - Design, manage, and deliver qualitative and quantitative research initiatives that explore audience behaviours, needs, and perceptions across the UK’s nations and regions.
• Analyse and Interpret Performance Data - Use digital analytics and industry data sources to identify trends, assess content performance, contextualise these results, and uncover opportunities for editorial and strategic growth.
• Present and Embed Insights - Translate complex data into clear, compelling narratives and visualisations. Deliver presentations and reports that influence editorial decisions and embed audience insight into News strategy.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines - Work closely with colleagues across multiple editorial and strategic areas to ensure audience insights are integrated into content planning, development, and evaluation.
• Champion Audience-Centric Thinking - Act as the voice of the audience within the Nations News division, ensuring content reflects the lived experiences, concerns, and interests of diverse UK communities.
• Through your work, you’ll help foster a culture of evidence-based decision-making, ensuring that audience insight becomes a core driver of innovation, relevance, and editorial excellence across BBC Nations News.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Proven audience research expertise with impactful qualitative and quantitative studies.
• Strong data analysis skills using digital tools (e.g., ATI, PIANO, IPSOS IRIS, TechEdge).
• Analytical curiosity and ability to turn complex data into actionable insight.
• Engaging presenter skilled in delivering compelling, influential narratives.
• Experienced strategic partner with a track record of embedding audience insight and driving change.

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:

• Awareness of different audience behaviours and nuances across nations and regions.
• Proven ability to manage concurrent projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Insight into how audiences interact with content and platforms, particularly in digital environments.

If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Contracts of Employment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

Disclaimer

This is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

For any general queries, please contact: [email protected]