Job Title: Senior Data and Research Officer

Location: Hybrid. In London office at least 3 days per week plus when meetings required. Flexibility for remote work and some international travel.

Reports To: Programme and Research Manager

Employment Type: Fixed term- Full time contract (12 month contract, 37.5 hours per week)

Salary: £38,000

Start Date: ASAP

Role Overview

The Senior Data and Research Officer will lead the production of the World Cities Culture Report 2025, the most comprehensive resource on culture in cities, published every three years since 2012. The 2025 Report will compile quantitative data, qualitative insights, and case studies from 45+ global cities, highlighting how culture addresses urban challenges and supports sustainable development.

You will coordinate data collection and management, analyse trends, and develop compelling data-led narratives. You will be the key liaison with international city leads on data and collaborate with international stakeholders including OCED (Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development) working closely with the Report Editor to commission additional contributors. You will lead the launch and dissemination of the World Cities Culture Report, consolidating its reputation as a leading report on global cities and culture.

About World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF)

World Cities Culture Forum is the leading global network of civic leaders from over 40 creative cities across six continents, collectively representing a population of over 245 million. World Cities Culture Forum champions the role of culture as a driver of equitable, sustainable, and prosperous cities.

Our network shares ideas and solutions to tackle 21st-century challenges, such as climate change, cultural tourism, affordable workspace, and diversity in public spaces, by placing culture at the heart of city planning and investment.

Through our Global Summit, leadership programmes, and research, we empower city leaders to build thriving communities and economies where culture flourishes.

Diversity Statement:

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. If you are excited about this role but don’t meet every qualification, we still welcome your application. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that each individual brings, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Relationships management: Data Coordination and Analysis

· Data Collection G Coordination: Lead the collection of data and case studies collection from over 45 global cities monitoring progress, providing bespoke support online, and ensuring timely submissions.

· Partnership G Data Validation: Collaborate with OECD and other partners to support robust and reliable data sources.

· Interviews G Insights: Organise and participate in interviews with city leaders to gather qualitive insights on urban cultural policy.

· Data Analysis G Narrative Development: Analyse both quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends and craft compelling narratives that highlight the role of culture in urban development.

2. Content Creation and Report Production:

· Commissioning G Editing: Work with the Report Editor to commission and edit short essays and case studies, ensuring high-quality contributions from a diverse range of contributors.

· Research Oversight: Manage research chapters and funder relationships ensuring their integration into the final report and alignment with WCCF values and goals.

· Develop content: Write concise and engaging content, including city profiles, case studies, and policy spotlights that add to the overall storytelling of the report.

· Supplier coordination: Manage suppliers and freelancers, such as copy editors and data visualisation specialists, to ensure timely delivery of services.

· Report Publication: Lead the design, editing, and production of both digital and printed versions of the World Cities Culture Report 2025, including the upload of the data and content to the digital platform.

· Data Visualisation: Commission and oversee the creation of impactful data visualisation to present insights effectively and enhance storytelling and accessibility.

3. Report dissemination and communications

· Launch and Dissemination: Lead on the launch of the report, including presenting at the 2025 Summit in Amsterdam (15 - 17 October), working with the Communications and Digital Content Manager to develop the communication strategy for dissemination.

· Evaluation G Reporting: Maintain up to date project documentation, including project plans, budgets, risk registers, and progress reports for stakeholders and funders.

Person Specification:

Essential Skills and Experience:

· Strong understanding of both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

· Experience analysing and interpreting data in an academic, think tank, or professional capacity.

· Proven ability to work with complex datasets.

· Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to work effectively with people from diverse disciplines, cultures, and backgrounds.

· Proven ability to contribute to strategic decision-making and shape project outputs.

· Experience working with international partners or stakeholders.

· Strong written skills, with the ability to write engaging, concise content for a global audience.

· Proven experience in editing and translating complex ideas into clear, accessible messages.

· Excellent organisational and planning skills, with experience managing multi- stakeholder projects and meeting tight deadlines.

· A detail-oriented approach to project documentation, including plans and risk registers.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

· Knowledge of city policy and governance, ideally in a global context.

· Familiarity with cultural policy research, urban studies, or a related field.

· Experience working with senior leaders and/ or politicians.

· Passion for or experience in culture, urban planning, or the creative industries.

· Experience facilitating or contributing to workshops, roundtables, or other stakeholder engagement formats.

· Working knowledge of a second language, particularly French, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, or Portuguese.

Please be advised that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. All applicants must possess the necessary right to work documentation in the UK.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit a CV and a maximum 400 word personal statement detailing their qualifications and experience via the application form link. We also encourage applicants to complete the Diversity Monitoring form which is not part of the application and is for diversity monitoring purposes only.