Senior Researcher

Licensed sponsor United Kingdom Posted 3 days ago

Who We Are

As one of the UK’s leading law firms, we’re here for the people and businesses who rely on us at life’s important moments - made possible by our colleagues who bring the expertise, judgement and care that makes the difference.

Our colleagues bring Irwin Mitchell to life every day, so it matters that you feel valued from the very first day and are trusted with the responsibility, in the right culture, to do the best work of your careers. Everyone’s path here is different, but we share a desire to help our business make a real impact.

Where possible we will support our colleagues to work in a way that works for them, for us and most importantly our clients. Please speak to a member of our Recruitment and Onboarding team for more information.

Your Role and What You'll Be Doing

Our Client Insight & Experience team delivers targeted legal, business, strategic, market and competitor research to colleagues across the Irwin Mitchell Group.

As a Senior Researcher, you will take responsibility for research and insight supporting our Private Client business unit. You will prioritise requests, lead complex research assignments and ensure that outputs meet high standards of quality, relevance and accuracy.

Working with senior stakeholders, you will turn research and data into clear insights and practical recommendations that support strategic decision-making, business development and client growth. You will also contribute specialist knowledge across the wider Insight team and help colleagues develop their research and analytical capabilities.

Strategic research and intelligence

Produce high-quality market, competitor and commercial intelligence through briefings, reports and presentations.
Identify relevant risks, opportunities and developments across the legal and Private Client markets.
Design and carry out quantitative and qualitative analysis across different service lines.
Turn complex research and data into concise findings, clear narratives and practical recommendations.
Provide timely research and analysis to support strategic decisions.
Develop informed perspectives on legal-market, commercial and competitor activity.

Business development and client growth

Monitor market trends, competitor performance and changing client expectations.
Support practice group leaders with client targeting and growth strategies.
Contribute to business plans, propositions, competitor analysis and client profiles.
Develop benchmarking approaches to support comparisons with competitors.
Provide intelligence for lateral hiring decisions, including market analysis, competitor benchmarking and practice-area mapping.
Help partners and service leaders understand relevant market opportunities.

Data, technology and innovation

Compile and analyse statistical information using appropriate research and analytical tools.
Use CRM systems, advanced Microsoft Excel and Power BI to turn data into useful commercial insight.
Explore how AI, data analytics and automation can improve the quality and efficiency of research.
Recommend appropriate market, client and competitor intelligence resources.
Help colleagues use research tools and self-service resources effectively.

Stakeholder engagement

Present findings and recommendations to partners, senior leaders and other internal stakeholders.
Build effective working relationships across Data & Analytics, Propositions, Marketing & Business Development and Performance.
Bring an informed commercial perspective to strategic discussions and growth planning.
Provide best-practice guidance to colleagues using market intelligence.
Scope research requests by understanding the stakeholder’s objective, audience and required outcome.

Quality, delivery and team support

Lead insight assignments from initial scoping through to final delivery.
Manage competing requests while maintaining the quality and timeliness of outputs.
Apply appropriate quality assurance to research, analysis and recommendations.
Support the management of outsourced research providers.
Share knowledge and coach colleagues in research methods, data analysis and the use of analytical tools.
Contribute to an inclusive and collaborative team environment focused on professional quality and client service.

About You

As our ideal candidate for this role, you'll have:

Experience of carrying out desk-based market, competitor or commercial research using reliable secondary information sources.
Evidence of turning complex research or data into clear findings, narratives and practical recommendations for decision-makers.
The ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative information, identify relevant themes and assess their potential commercial impact.
Experience of using advanced Microsoft Excel and data visualisation or business intelligence tools, such as Power BI, to produce usable insight.
The ability to scope and deliver research assignments from a limited or developing brief, identifying the questions, sources and outputs required.
The ability to communicate research findings clearly to senior stakeholders through written reports, presentations or briefings.
The ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining appropriate standards of accuracy, quality and timeliness.
Evidence of working collaboratively with stakeholders from different business areas.
The ability to examine information critically, recognise gaps or limitations and make evidence-based recommendations.

Desirable

Experience of using CRM systems to support research, analysis or commercial insight.
Knowledge of legal, economic, business or market-intelligence databases.
Experience of researching across subscription databases, public information sources and other relevant professional resources.
Experience of current-awareness or information-aggregation tools, such as Manzama.
Experience of using a request-management or workflow system.
Experience in a professional-services or similarly complex stakeholder environment.
Experience of coaching, mentoring or sharing research and data-analysis methods with colleagues.
A relevant degree, postgraduate qualification or equivalent practical experience.

Our Approach to Reward and Wellbeing

25 days' holiday as standard, rising to 28 days depending on role level, plus bank holidays and the option to purchase additional leave.
Opportunities to share in our success through annual pay and bonus review processes for eligible colleagues.
Health and wellbeing support, including Westfield Health and Digital GP access.
Competitive pension arrangements to help you plan for the future.
Two paid volunteering days every year to support causes that matter to you.
Access to a range of colleague discounts and lifestyle benefits to support you both inside and outside of work.

We also offer a wide range of well-being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace and to make sure you’re fully supported. 

In 2026, Irwin Mitchell was recognised in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work guide and was the only law firm included in the 'Very Big' organisation category

Our responsible business programmes are fundamental to who we are and our purpose. We’re committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where our colleagues can flourish, and we have established a number of inclusion network groups across our business to support this aim.

Our commitment to Social Responsibility, community investment activity and tackling climate change is a fundamental part of who we are. It’s made up of four strands: Our People, Our Community, Our Environment and Our Pro Bono.

Applying to Irwin Mitchell

We want every candidate to have a positive, fair and transparent recruitment experience. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please speak to a member of our Recruitment & Onboarding team or contact Recruitment@IrwinMitchell.com

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly common part of modern working life. If you choose to use AI tools as part of your application or interview preparation, please review our AI in Recruitment Candidate Guidance AI Candidate Guidance

As part of joining the Irwin Mitchell Group, all successful applicants are required to complete our employment screening process. We carry out pre employment screening to establish your eligibility to work in the UK, and understand any criminal records or adverse financial history.

Our onboarding processes are designed to help us maintain the high standards of trust, integrity and professionalism expected by our colleagues, to protect the interests of the Group, clients, partners and other stakeholders.

Checks are conducted by trusted 3rd parties and the employment screening process will fully comply with Data Protection and other applicable laws.

Irwin Mitchell LLP is an equal opportunity employer.