Business Development Apprentice – Observer (Multi-Market Research)

Business Development Apprentice – Observer (Multi-Market Research)

Application Deadline: 18 August 2026

Department: Apprentice

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Harrow

Compensation: £26,936 / year

Description

Are you driven by data and passionate about insights? We are a leading global market research company, enabling organisations to make smarter, bolder, and faster decisions.

Ipsos Observer is a team of 30 researchers with specialist design and data collection expertise blended with technology to deliver trustworthy quantitative global research.

We make research simple for our clients. Research projects can be complex, involving critical decisions around methodology, sample design, questionnaire structure, fieldwork management, and quality assurance.

Observer removes that complexity by managing every stage of the process on our clients' behalf. Our team combines rigorous research thinking with cutting-edge technology and operational excellence, enabling us to deliver high-quality results at speed and scale.

Observer supports clients across a diverse range of sectors and business challenges. This means we bring fresh perspectives, proven approaches, and broad category knowledge to every project, whether supporting consumer, healthcare, technology, financial services, public sector, or B2B research.

The Role

As part of the Observer Business Development team, you'll help drive growth by creating compelling propositions, identifying new opportunities, and supporting pitches and proposals. You'll gain hands-on experience across the business development journey and share in the excitement of winning new clients.

We dare to be different. We want our people to be different. Be creative, be edgy, be yourself. People buy from people, and we avoid the boring or predictable.

We have grown through success and continue to do so. The day to day varies but some of what we would like to involve you in includes…

• Researching prospective customers, sectors and market trends
• Participate in developing Go to Market campaigns that resonate with target audiences
• Helping gather competitor intelligence
• Supporting the creation of proposal and pitch development
• Working on the content and design of materials that are sent to clients, used on LinkedIn etc
• Work with the wider Observer team to support our client growth and marketing agenda.

About You

• A commercially curious and proactive mindset, with a passion for understanding client challenges and supporting activities that drive growth and long-term relationships.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, able to engage stakeholders confidently and communicate clearly and persuasively.
• Curiosity, creativity and initiative, with an enthusiasm for exploring new opportunities, markets and ideas.
• A collaborative approach, working effectively with colleagues to maximise client opportunities and team success.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, managing multiple priorities accurately and professionally.
• Confidence in presentation and delivery, creating compelling proposals, pitches and communications that showcase Observer's capabilities.
• Self-motivation and a growth mindset, demonstrating resilience, ambition and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• An aptitude for leveraging AI tools and techniques to support business growth and efficiency, in line with Ipsos' standards and policies.

Desirables:

• A creative mindset that’s willing to challenge the norms.
• Lots of personality!

Along with…

• The unrestricted right to work in the UK.
• A minimum five GCSEs (including Maths at grade C (4) or above and English Language at C (4) or above) and a minimum of CCC at A Level or equivalent (not including General Studies)

Why Ipsos

As a Business Development Apprentice at Ipsos 80% of your time will be spent in work, with 20% studying, both aspects helping you to learn your craft.

Alongside work, your part-time study will equip you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to become a professional Business Development executive by the end of the 2-year programme. After completing the apprenticeship, you will be eligible for a permanent position and promotion to further your career at Ipsos.

At Ipsos, we are committed to investing in your development, and to offering you comprehensive support and guidance throughout the programme, empowering you to build a successful and fulfilling career.

You will have the chance to meet apprentices and graduates across the business and work on projects together, building a global network and fostering teamwork and innovation.