Director of Markets and Research

At HR Wallingford, we design smart, resilient solutions across the natural and built environments to help everyone live and work more sustainably with water. By harnessing research, data insights and the power of our collective expertise, we help the world to better understand the changing influence and impact of water.

We seek a strategic and collaborative leader with strong commercial insight to join our newly created Executive Committee as Director of Markets and Research. This pivotal role will shape and drive our market and research engagement strategy, ensuring our investments deliver both impact and commercial value.

Based in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, with a hybrid working arrangement, the successful candidate will oversee the development and delivery of market intelligence, marketing strategies, business development initiatives and research partnerships. You will lead a motivated and skilled team, manage budgets and resources, and ensure legal and regulatory compliance across commercial and research contracts.

This is a varied and influential role with key responsibilities including:

• Strategic oversight of market and research activities
• Commercial assessment of internal and externally funded research projects
• Leadership of marketing, business development and stakeholder engagement
• Budget and resource management
• Line management and team development

About you

To be successful, you will have:

• A degree in science, engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent senior-level experience
• Strong financial capability and understanding of marketing and market dynamics
• Significant experience in business development and commercial engagement
• Knowledge of legal and regulatory compliance in commercial and research contracts
• Proven ability to assess commercial viability and ROI of research investments
• Demonstrated people management and leadership skills
• Strong analytical and data interpretation capabilities
• Experience managing budgets and resources effectively

You will be a strategic and inclusive thinker with excellent organisational skills and the ability to make well-informed decisions under pressure. A passion for innovation, research, and continuous improvement is essential, along with excellent communication skills and emotional intelligence. You’ll be effective communicator with the ability to build trust, influence and foster collaboration across diverse teams and stakeholders.

We value diverse perspectives and welcome candidates who bring curiosity, empathy, and a commitment to continuous learning.

This role needs to be within a good commutable distance to our offices in Wallingford, Oxfordshire as it requires regular presence at our Wallingford office. We support flexible working arrangements to help you balance professional and personal commitments.

Further information

• Salary: from £100,000 plus benefits
• Download a full job description and person specification.
• Check out our exceptional benefits at hrwallingford.com/careers.
• The closing date for applications is Friday 31 October 2025

How to apply

If you are excited about this role but unsure whether you’re the right fit, we encourage you to apply. We’re also happy to answer any questions by emailing careers@hrwallingford.com

Interested? Please apply providing your CV with covering letter. 

Additional information

Our privacy notice for job applicants, available from our website, explains how we collect and process the personal data you may provide us when you apply for a job with us through our websites, or by any other means. This notice also explains how we’ll store and handle that data and keep it.

HR Wallingford are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our workplace. We do not discriminate, and work to create an inclusive culture across our business.