Overview
Senior Governance and Risk Manager - Research England
Salary: £45,272 per annum
Hours: Full time / job share considered
Contract type: Open Ended
Location: Westward House, Bristol
Grade: UKRI band E
Positions available: 1
Closing Date: 12/10/25
Organisational Information
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) brings together nine organisations to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, and a vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Research England is one of the nine councils within UKRI, set up in April 2018. As a key component of the research funding system, Research England oversees UKRI\'s England-only functions in relation to university research and knowledge exchange (KE). This includes providing grant funding to English universities for research and KE activities; developing and implementing the Research Excellence Framework (REF) in partnership with the UK Higher Education funding bodies; overseeing the sustainability of the Higher Education research base in England; overseeing the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF); and administering the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). Research England aims to create and sustain the conditions for a healthy and dynamic research and KE system in English universities. It works closely with its counterparts in the Devolved Administrations.
For more information about Research England, please visit https://www.ukri.org/councils/research-england/.
Team Information
Research England\'s Operations Team is a small team that brings together operational activities and supports Research England\'s Chief Operating Officer in the leadership, management and delivery of operational matters.
Working within the Governance team, the postholder will directly contribute to the delivery of Research England\'s strategic aims and objectives by supporting activities across a variety of areas including, but not limited to, governance, risk and information governance.
You will act as an important interface between internal and external colleagues and partners at all levels. You will ensure that all work is delivered to a high standard and in a timely manner maintaining confidentiality. You will have exceptional attention to detail and ensure accuracy is upheld.
Purpose
To provide high quality support on governance, risk and information governance matters to Research England, working collaboratively with Research England colleagues and with UKRI colleagues within the Governance, Risk and Information Governance functions. In so doing, developing and demonstrating a thorough understanding of research and knowledge exchange in the higher education sector and the political and organisational context within which Research England and UKRI operate.
You will work effectively with colleagues across Research England, as well as other areas of UKRI and will engage with colleagues to share practice and improve overall effectiveness. Adept at team working but also able to work with considerable personal drive and autonomy. Be effective at working across the organisation to deliver required outcomes and also to improve the outcomes of the work of colleagues. Confident in dealings with all partners; will be capable of keeping a very level head in challenging, fast-changing situations; and will be able to prioritise well to meet deadlines.
Main Outputs and Activities
Governance
* Manage implementation of the Research England Governance Framework.
* Coordinate the cyclical review of the effectiveness of the Executive Group and Council.
* Manage the induction programme for, and onboarding of, new Research England Council members.
* Manage Research England gifts and hospitality declaration process.
* Manage the conflict of interest process for the Executive Group and Council, including conducting an annual review of conflicts of interest.
* Develop and implement relevant governance, risk and information governance guidance and processes ensuring alignment with wider UKRI policies.
* Promote these processes and guidance, ensuring colleagues are engaged with and adhering to them.
* Contribute to the effective implementation of the Research England risk management framework, including maintaining the strategic risk register, managing the operational risk management framework, and collation of risk reports for the Executive Group and Council.
* Manage implementation of the Research England risk maturity action plan.
* Coordinate the Research England Executive Accountability Exercise.
* Manage implementation of the Research England risk training plan.
Risk
Information Management
* Have a thorough understanding of Data Protection legislation and its applicability to Research England operations, including exemptions/derogations from the EU General Data Protection Regulation.
* Coordinate responses to complaints, Freedom of Information requests, Environmental Information Regulations requests, Subject Access Requests, information requests and other requests.
* Conduct an annual review of the Research England Information Asset Register.
Other
* Lead, manage or support other tasks as are commensurate with the role.
Reporting lines
* Line managed by Head of Governance and Risk.
* There are currently no line management responsibilities associated with this role.
Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential:
* A successful track record in governance with significant recent experience in UK law. (S&I)
* Experience of providing a successful Secretariat function. (S)
* Information governance experience and/or expertise.(S&I)
* Experience of developing and maintaining robust operational guidance and processes. (S&I)
* An ability to communicate in a succinct, engaging, accurate and convincing way, producing materials that are straightforward and clearly articulated for external and internal audiences as appropriate. (S&I)
* Proven strength in stakeholder management, with the ability to build effective relationships with people of all levels both internally and externally. (S&I)
* Excellent listening, influencing and negotiating skills, including influencing senior leaders and external stakeholders and negotiating to achieve optimal outcomes. (I)
* Excellent organisational skills.(S&I)
* Attention to detail with an ability to produce work with a high level of accuracy.(S&I)
* Ability to adapt to changing demands and conditions, and a readiness to make decisions, take the initiative and originate action.(S&I)
* Ability to innovate and challenge established thinking in self and others, and to offer insights and ideas with practical application coupled with the ability to drive change. (S&I)
* Ability to operate with political understanding and sense, in a complex environment of change and uncertainty. (S&I)
* Awareness of continuous improvement techniques.(S&I)
* An understanding of how a public sector policy or funding organisation operates.(S)
* Graduate or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience.(S)
Desirable:
* Experience of risk management. (S)
* Interest and understanding of higher education research and knowledge exchange policy. (S)
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We\'re committed to supporting employees\' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
* An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
* 30 days\' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
* Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
* Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice
* Flexible working options
Plus, many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
As an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer, UKRI is proud to have created a workplace where everyone can thrive and achieve their full potential. This ensures that all employees, regardless of their background or circumstances, have equal access to opportunities and resources within the organization.
How to apply
Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role.
A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.
About Us
UKRI - UK Research and Innovation
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world\'s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who opt into the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the \"experience\" section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
About the Team
Research England is one of the nine Councils within UK Research and Innovation. As a key component of the research funding system, Research England will oversee UKRI\'s England-only functions in relation to university research and knowledge exchange (KE). This includes providing grant funding to English universities for related activities; developing and implementing the Research Excellence Framework in partnership with the UK Higher Education funding bodies; supervising the sustainability of the Higher Education research base in England; guide the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund; and coordinate the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). Research England will build and sustain the conditions for a healthy and dynamic research and KE system in English universities. They also work closely with their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations.
For more information about Research England, click here.
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