The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.
We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on ourWhy Join Us? - Information Page.
The Role and Department
Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development.
The Policy, Systems and Performance (PSP) team within the Research and Innovation Services directorate works to support high quality research performance, impact and intelligence through data, integrity and governance, support for institutional strategy development and the compilation of relevant returns including HEBCI, KEF, KEC and REF.
The overall purpose of the position advertised is to assist the University in developing research impact to enhance the societal benefits of its research, and to support the development and submission of impact case studies, engagement measures, and narrative statements to the Research Excellence Framework (REF).
The position of Impact and Engagement Manager (I&EM) is a strategically important role within the Research and Innovation Services (RIS) Directorate. The post-holder will report to the Director of Policy, Systems and Performance and work closely the Senior Impact and Engagement Managers. They will work with the Director of PSP to support impact across the University but also have specific responsibility for developing a portfolio of REF impact case studies in the Arts and Humanities (A&H) Faculty. In this capacity the post-holder will work closely with the Deputy Executive Dean for Research or the Associate Dean for Research within the Faculty, with the Faculty Research Support Hub, and with Impact Directors in the associated Departments (History, English, Theology & Religion, Music, Philosophy, Classics and Ancient History) and the School of Modern Languages and Cultures.
The post-holder will contribute to the for the wider interpretation of the REF rules and regulations pertaining to impact and provide advice, guidance and support to academic leaders and researchers around impact and engagement within the REF context with the aim of achieving research impact that has broad reach, rigour, and world-leading significance.
Working closely with relevant academics, professional support colleagues, and the I&E team, the post-holder will contribute to a community of practice across the University to facilitate the development of high-quality impact and collection of robust supporting impact evidence. They will be involved in engagement activities working alongside academics and RIS teams to produce plans and activities that optimise impact potential. This post will support the critique and writing of impact case studies by relevant researchers in the A&H faculty and the Senior Impact and Engagement Managers who work across the other faculties. Working with the researchers the post-holder will be required to understand complex information and then communicate it in a concise and compelling manner.
The post-holder will support recording impact in the IT Systems and processes for recording impact including encouraging researchers and departments to record and share impact-related information that will enable the University to develop its impact case studies. This data and information will be used for the REF but will also contribute to the submission to the KEF, Higher Education Business and Community Interaction (HE-BCI) survey and any other reporting requirements.
The post-holder will, as required, be involved in identifying and addressing challenges in the impact and knowledge exchange space.
In addition to the above, key duties will include:
* Supporting academics and PS staff to use appropriate systems and processes to capture impact data, to support broader impact culture, REF impact, and knowledge exchange.
* Supporting embedding impact into research to support a research culture in which all can flourish. This will include working with academics, especially Faculty research leadership teams and other PS staff to communicate research impact and engagement to audiences effectively and compellingly, including through the preparation of impact case studies for REF2029.
The role is permanent and part time (0.5FTE). Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
This post will be based primarily at our exciting new professional services hub at Boldon House, which is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
* 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year.
* The University closes between Christmas and New Year
* We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
* No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
* There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
* Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
* On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
* Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
* The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
* Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
* A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
* If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Experience
1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2. Experience of supporting the delivering of the Higher Education Impact agenda.
3. Experience of supporting research impact for, and understanding, of REF.
4. Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of services, events, and activities within the organisation.
5. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements.
6. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
7. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University's reputation.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
8. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
9. Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.
10. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
11. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
12. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
Desirable Criteria
13. Experience in Arts and Humanities research and/or relevant cultural research and/or relevant research impact.
How to Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What you need to submit
* A CV: and
* A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.
Contact details
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Lindsay Ramage, email: lindsay.c.ramage@durham.ac.uk.
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery/Development
* Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
* Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University's frameworks and regulations.
* Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise, in line with the University's policies, regulations and values.
* Manage the delivery of impact and engagement support across the University to a high standard.
* Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from staff and others who you work with] and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
* Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources.
* Look for ways to improve processes across all areas of your work.
* Identify any learning needs that should be met by the service and design activities and arrange any training.
* Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.
Planning and Organisation
* Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by your area.
* Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of your area.
* Seek feedback from staff and other key stakeholders so that the service is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements.
* Analyse data on the level of service being provided by your area to recommend areas for future improvement.
* Meet the development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required.
Communication/Liaison
* Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University's policies, procedures and regulations are complied with.
* Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
* Coordinate and organise committees and other business meetings and deal with any related complaints.
* Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes.
* Use your expertise to provide training or guidance to other stakeholders.
* Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.
* Any other reasonable duties.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.