Job Description
Job Title Associate Director
Band
Job Holder(s)
Reports to
AD
Updated June 2015
Date June 2015
Business Unit Managing Director
Job Purpose
To play an active role in the successful development of the Policy and Research Business
Unit, contributing to the Unit’s achievement of its overall financial targets and developing
existing and new areas of business.
To support the Policy and Research Business Unit which operates in the UK, EU28, EU
enlargement and overseas to expand these markets enabling work on a diverse and varied
portfolio of contracts, to defined business, annual and individual profit targets.
To provide leadership in one or more business development or market areas (such as those
listed below), providing highly skilled research, consultancy and evaluation expertise. Our
policy areas of expertise include:
 Ageing
 Business and enterprise
 Children, young people and families
 Crime and justice
 Culture, sport and heritage
 Education, learning and skills
 Employment and labour markets
 Economic development
 Economic analysis
 Health and wellbeing
 Local and regional development
 Survey
 Transport
 Voluntary and community sector
To manage and direct a wide range of proposals and contracts including large and small,
from start to finish, on time and within budget.
To explain research methodology/analysis, justify conclusions and present the results to the
target audience or clients with the arguments and outcomes readily accepted.
To analyse, interpret and present complex qualitative and quantitative data, including for
example: survey data, statistics and data, economic data, numerical and financial
information, research literature, etc and apply these to a wide range of proposals and
contracts.. To be able to guide and brief others to undertake these types of work.
To contribute to developing new markets and business areas.
To undertake line management responsibilities and staff development for more junior
members of the team.
Job Description
Updated June 2015
Dimensions
Financial
The post does not constitute a budget holder.
The post holder will be expected to work to work/contract delivery targets and bring in
revenue through the winning of new work to agreed targets.
The post holder is responsible for the effective use of financial and other resources in
respect of dedicated projects that he/she is directing, including the delivery of these to
agreed budgets.
The post holder will be expected to deliver fee income of around three times annual reward
package, dependent on experience and expertise.
Staff
The post holder is responsible for the line management of more junior staff.
The post holder is responsible for managing the inputs of staff in respect of business
development, work acquisition and project delivery activity where the post holder is the
identified Project Director.
Other
None
Principal Accountabilities/Tasks
Business Development
 Develop and maintain sound working relationships with Ecorys' existing
clients, and with new clients
 Develop the market, drawing in new business and winning work to an agreed
annual target
 Identify new and emerging markets in line with company strategy and how
Ecorys might best position itself to enter these markets
 Represent Ecorys at events and conferences, and contribute to national
debate
 Prepare and contribute to proposals for prospective work, in response to
invitations to tender and in line with company/divisional policy
 Contribute to the Business Unit Business Plan
 Be aware of competition and how this affects our market position in relation
to tenders and overall divisional development
Contract Management
 Direct and/or project manage contracts, ensuring work undertaken is of a
high quality and meets client requirements
 Be fully responsible for the organisation and quality of contract work, decide
on allocation of tasks, timescales and budgets
Job Description
Updated June 2015
 Make strategic decisions to ensure contracts are completed to the highest
standard and within budget
 Applying skills in evaluation, quantitative/survey methods, statistics,
economic impact assessments, economics (econometric modelling
techniques, CBA), qualitative methods and analysis. Providing consultancy
support to clients across these areas.
 Produce written and verbal reports, as appropriate, to include inception,
interim and final reports and presentations.
 To use expertise across a range of contracts to support business growth and
increase profitability.
People Management
 Possess good interpersonal skills, with an ability to build and maintain
effective working relationships with colleagues.
 Contribute to recruitment of new staff.
 Induct staff to the group and the company
 Develop staff within the division through mentoring, coaching training and
development
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

Conduct annual staff appraisals and undertake regular reviews, to support
team and staff career development
Help line managed staff to maintain full utilisation
Provide contextual understanding of project work
Divisional Management
 Contribute to the management of the Business Unit through relevant
management mechanisms, team meetings etc.
 Liaise with other business units and Ecorys offices in UK & across Europe.
 Allocate and manage both business development activities including client
account management and the preparation of responses to invitations to
tender and contracts
 Work collectively to enhance cross-divisional relationships
Qualifications & Experience
First degree in relevant subject or equivalent experience
Essential
Post-graduate, professional or vocational qualification in relevant subject
Desirable
Membership of an appropriate professional body
Desirable
Job Description
Updated June 2015
Experience
Experience of securing new business and work winning, including
preparation of large tenders and leading client pitches
Desirable
High level policy knowledge and understanding in our core market areas and
experience of working with national, European or international institutions
Desirable
Experience of line management and motivating teams
Desirable
Skills/ Knowledge
Applied quantitative/survey/statistical/qualitative/economics research skills in
our core market areas/themes
Desirable
Excellent analytical skills, ability to ensure consistent high standard of
analysis across projects.
Desirable
Excellent knowledge of large scale evaluation and impact assessment
Desirable
Commercial awareness and evidence of an entrepreneurial 'can do' attitude
from work in the private sector
Essential
Academic or public sector experience of the development, delivery and
evaluation of public policy
Desirable
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to
communicate complex economic issues clearly, concisely and persuasively
Essential
Sound judgement, including the ability to choose between alternative actions
and to rationalise and explain decisions
Desirable
Ability to organise, analyse and evaluate complex data
Essential
Flexible, enthusiastic and proactive approach to work
Essential
Ability to establish and lead large complex teams
Essential
Highly competent in use of relevant software packages (incl. Excel, Word,
SPSS)
Essential
Job Description
Updated June 2015
Organisation - Please insert/attach organisation chart highlighting position of job
holder.
The post holder reports to the business unit managing director, acting as the line manager.
The post holder reports to the business unit managing director in respect of the delivery of
individual business development, work acquisition and project activity.
The post holder is responsible for the co-ordination and management of staff inputs to
business development, work acquisition and project activity where he or she is the
nominated Project Director.
The post holder liaises with other associate directors across the company in respect of
activity at this level.
Additional Information
Job Holder Signature:
Date
Managers Signature:
Date