Join Merlin Strategy
Location: London or Hybrid Salary: Competitive, dependent on role offered Start Date: As soon as possible
Merlin Strategy is interested in hearing from talented people with experience in polling, research or strategy who are excited by the prospect of joining our growing team.
We are not recruiting for a specific role or level of seniority. Instead, we want to hear from people who can bring strong research skills, sharp thinking and fresh perspectives to our work. Whether your background is in polling research consultancy, political organisation, think tank, data and analytics team or a related field, if you think you could make a real contribution to Merlin Strategy, we would be keen to hear from you.
As a small and growing consultancy, there is considerable scope to shape your role around your experience and strengths. You could work across the full research cycle, from designing surveys and qualitative research through to analysing data, developing strategic insights, presenting findings to clients and helping to grow the business. We are particularly interested in people who are comfortable taking ownership of their work and who enjoy combining rigorous research with an understanding of politics, public opinion and strategy.
The level and responsibilities of the role, as well as salary, would be determined according to the experience of the successful candidate.
About Merlin Strategy
Merlin Strategy is a polling and research consultancy working with various clients to deliver clear, strategic insight. We combine rigorous methodology with sharp thinking to help our clients understand public opinion and make better decisions.
We are trusted because we go beyond the headline numbers. Our work is defined by methodological rigour, intellectual honesty and a relentless focus on impact. We pride ourselves on asking better questions, interrogating data more deeply, and translating complex findings into clear strategic direction. Clients choose Merlin Strategy not just for accurate polling, but for thoughtful analysis, commercial and political awareness, and advice they can act on with confidence.
The firm is led by Scarlett Maguire, one of the most respected strategists in the industry. Scarlett brings decades of experience advising senior political and corporate leaders, combining deep expertise in public opinion with sharp strategic judgement. She is known for her clarity of thinking, intellectual rigour and ability to translate complex data into decisive action. Under her leadership, Merlin Strategy has built a reputation for insight that is not only accurate, but genuinely influential.
Who We’d Like to Hear From
We are deliberately keeping our criteria broad and are interested in hearing from people with different backgrounds and levels of experience. You might be a good fit if you have:
Experience working in polling, market research, political research, consultancy, data and analytics, public affairs or a related field
Strong quantitative and/or qualitative research skills, with experience designing and delivering research projects
Excellent analytical skills and the ability to identify the story behind the data, rather than simply reporting the numbers
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to turn complex research into clear, compelling insights
Strong judgement and an ability to think strategically about what research means for clients
The confidence to take ownership of projects and work independently, while contributing effectively as part of a small team
Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
Experience working with clients or senior stakeholders
A commercial mindset and enthusiasm for contributing to Merlin Strategy’s continued growth
We would also be particularly interested in candidates with experience using statistical software such as R, SPSS, Stata or Python, although this is not essential for every potential role.
Above all, we are interested in people who are bright, ambitious and genuinely excited by the kind of work Merlin Strategy does. If your experience does not fit neatly into the criteria above but you think you could bring something valuable to the team, we would still like to hear from you.
What We Offer
Salary: Competitive dependent on experience and the role offered
Annual leave: 25 days + bank holidays pro-rata
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a short covering letter no more than two pages explaining why you are interested in Merlin Strategy and this role to: info@merlinstrategy.com
Application deadline: We will be considering applications on a rolling basis with the position closed once we have the right candidate.