More in Common is a research agency working across the US, UK, Germany, France and Poland to tackle polarisation and division. More in Common leads and supports initiatives to build more united, inclusive, and resilient societies. Our mission is to understand the forces driving us apart, help societies find common ground and bring people together to tackle shared challenges.   

In the UK, our work is best described as being part consultancy and part think tank. We provide a full suite of research services including polling and focus group research; evidence reviews and secondary data analysis; audience mapping and audience strategy; strategic communications strategy and campaign development. More in Common is a member of the British Polling Council.   

Our work is informed by our ground-breaking segmentation of the British public. This unique values-based lens to our quantitative and qualitative research means we can understand not only what the public thinks about the big challenges facing British society today but - crucially - why they think it. Our insights help leaders in government, the media, business and civil society to develop better strategies and communications – particularly in reaching disengaged communities far from the Westminster/London bubble – and to better navigate tricky and divisive issues.   

More in Common has published agenda-setting thought leadership on a whole range of debates facing British society, including exploring the public’s starting points on climate action and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour; understanding how the British public is navigating major debates from trans and gender identity to the conflict in Israel and Palestine to assisted dying; highlighting the public’s expectations on mental health reform and what’s next for the levelling up agenda. Our work is regularly covered in the British press and media and we’ve developed a series of partnerships with broadcasters and newspapers to deliver top-quality research insights. In the 2024 General Election period, we were among Britain’s most accurate pollsters and used our focus group research to put people and public opinion at the centre of coverage of the election campaign.

Through our consultancy, More in Common has also supported dozens of partners with insights and strategic communications support. We’ve helped national institutions such as the BBC, British Library and National Trust to better understand their audiences, we’ve helped partners in government and civil society with the set-up and delivery of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and we’ve supported a range of partners to test their manifesto ideas from the National Farmers Union to Rethink Mental Illness among many others. 

In 2025, More in Common has a range of exciting projects in the pipeline, including:   

• Refreshing our core values model with a deeper understanding of the attitudes and worldviews that shape the most important divides in Britain in 2025 
• Supporting the aid sector to deliver more effective messages to reach beyond their highly engaged activist base
•  Working with video game designers to develop strategic interventions with low-trust groups to tackle disinformation 
• Developing new strategies to talk about men’s health issues in ways that avoid culture war traps 
• Expanding our international research offer 
• Working with national institutions to help them better understand their audiences and users 
• Working with with leading transport authorities and think tanks to help navigate backlash against active transport and public transport initiatives

Diversity + Equity + Inclusion 
We will have a better chance of uniting divided societies if our team reflects a broad range of social and cultural backgrounds, beliefs, political opinions and life experiences. We particularly encourage applications from underrepresented and minority communities.

More in Common is seeking a full-time Associate Director to start work in Spring 2025 as we grow our team and advance our mission of building a more united and inclusive UK, where all people feel respected and better understood, and share a sense of belonging. More in Common UK is a small team with a start-up culture where everyone is expected to execute a range of responsibilities. The role holder will be based in the London office Monday-Thursday with Friday in the office or working remotely. 

The Associate Director, Strategy and Development will be a member of More in Common UK’s management team and will oversee fundraising, operations and More in Common’s strategic communications projects for partners as well as deputising for the UK Director.   

The specific responsibilities of the role are: 

Fundraising and Development   

• Oversee and lead More in Common’s UK business development and fundraising activity against agreed budgets   Manage More in Common’s consulting arm, identifying opportunities for new partnerships, leading pitches and managing client relationships 
• Inculcate a programme of ‘new business’ across the More in Common team. 
• Oversee More in Common’s programme of events and partner engagement, including our Party Conference events. 
• Hold responsibility for More in Common’s UK brand and marketing activities 
• Work with More in Common’s UK Finance team to develop and manage strong financial management systems and processes 
• Design and support the creation of new and innovative additions to More in Common’s UK offer 

Management and oversight

•  With the Associate Director, team manage More in Common UK’s work programme and oversee the activity of junior staff 
• Ensure that More in Common’s UK outputs are of the highest quality and genuinely lead to impact in line with our mission 
• Deputise for the UK Director in meetings with clients, funders and with global colleagues along with the Associate Director of Research and Insights
• With the UK Director and Associate Director of Research and Insights, help to design the strategy for the UK team’s work 

Strategic Communications  

• Lead strategic communications projects across the UK team’s programme of work for both clients and partners   Help More in Common’s partners and clients to use our insights to craft and deliver impactful communications and outreach strategies 
• Support research staff to turn More in Common’s public opinion insights into compelling narratives and stories for partners
• Work closely with More in Common’s communications consultants to maximise opportunities for dissemination of the UK team’s work 

Joining More in Common 

With over 60 staff across five countries, each member of our team makes a vital contribution to our impact, and we put a strong emphasis on team selection and values. We look for people who:   

• Are strategic, rigorous, restless, energetic and creative 
• Are able to think ahead and get big stuff done 
• Are committed to a process of ongoing learning 
• Have direct experience with and understand people from different perspectives and backgrounds 
• Are excited to do work that works across political divides and that promotes shared national identities 
• Are interested in reaching left-behind communities 
• Are excited to work with heart as well as head 
• Want to be part of finding practical solutions

We look for great people before we look for specific qualifications and experience. However, the following will be an asset for this role:   

• A track record of delivering high quality outputs for clients, members, partners and/or funders 
• Experience of leading revenue generating client consultancy or membership programmes 
• Experience of grant/tender writing, pitching and reporting 
• Experience of translating research and insight into innovative products or training programmes for a range of partners   
• The ability to write well and at pace for a range of audiences   
• An understanding of how to interpret quantitative and qualitative data and to use that data to tell a compelling story 
• Experience of developing light-touch processes for financial and project management and for quality control 
• Experience of managing junior staff, including performance management

Compensation   
£65,000 - £80,000 and excellent benefits along with generous annual leave policy. Personal learning and growth budget.   

How to apply The application deadline is Friday 14th March: 23:59. 

Applications will be in the form of a CV and a cover letter of no more than one page outlining how your skills and experience match the requirements in the qualifications and experience section. 

A note on cover letters: we recognise that applying for a job is time-consuming and that generative AI tools can be helpful in the writing process. However, candidates shine best when they express themselves and their ideas in their own words. We therefore recommend that applicants avoid using these tools when preparing application documents. 

Indicative timeline (please note these dates remain subject to change)   

• Initial conversation with UK Director: 19th March 
• Meetings with team members: 20th-21st March 
• Final panel interview: 24th-26th March 
• We expect to make an offer to the successful candidate by 28th March