Position Details
Research Strategy and Services. Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
Grade: 9. Full time, Permanent. Starting salary £58,225‑£67,468, with potential progression to £87,974.
Closing date: 30 June 2026.
Benefits
- 40 days paid holiday per year.
- One paid day per year for volunteering.
- Occupational sick pay.
- Pension scheme.
- Three high‑quality subsidised day nurseries.
- Flexible working arrangements as appropriate.
Role Summary
The Head of Research Operations (College of Medicine & Health) leads the CMH research support function, fostering collaboration with the division, College, and professional services. Reporting to the Assistant Director RSSD, the role involves managing a team of approximately twenty‑five research support professionals, overseeing pre‑award research support, and driving strategic alignment with university research ambitions.
Main Duties / Responsibilities
- Lead a research support team to manage and prioritise pre‑award research support including research development, proposal drafting, budgeting, compliance, submissions, regulatory compliance, due diligence on partners and funders, grant set‑up, and contract negotiation.
- Monitor and report key performance indicators such as grant applications, awards, contribution, success rates, and contract clearance levels to senior colleagues.
- Develop and lead innovations in research support to enhance performance metrics and service improvements.
- Act as a contracts signatory, ensuring a clear negotiating framework for all research‑related contracts and agreements, covering intellectual property, data protection, publication rights, and financial recovery.
- Mentor staff in contract negotiation and complex research applications, supporting professional development.
- Build strong external networks with the Russell Group, professional bodies, senior funders, and industry partners to bring best practice to Birmingham.
- Encourage collaboration and data sharing within the team to provide a customer‑focused service to researchers and external partners.
- Lead HR matters for the team, including recruitment, development plans, performance management, and EDI support.
- Champion inclusive practices, equality, diversity, and inclusion within the team and the broader research community.
- Represent the university in high‑level delegations and promote the university’s values and interests.
- Drive change programmes and embed best practice across RSSD hubs.
- Provide counsel on intellectual‑property, data protection, and funding pathways, ensuring alignment with university policies.
- Support the development of policies and procedures promoting EDI and a positive work culture.
- Any other duties as required by the Deputy Director in line with the grade.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience
- Degree level or equivalent qualifications, with substantial managerial experience in a complex organization.
- Experience drafting and reviewing complex research agreements, using a pragmatic, risk‑based approach.
- Substantial professional responsibility and discretion.
- Leadership and management experience with diverse staff through intermediate managers.
- Strong knowledge of national and international research policy and operations.
- Empathy for academic endeavour and ability to partner with senior leadership across the institution.
- Senior practitioner experience in research contracts, compliance, trusted research, governance, and risk‑management.
- Experience in research funding and facilitation.
- Experience leading large, strategic partnerships involving universities, public sector bodies, policy organisations, and industry.
- Excellent literacy, numeracy, and analytical skills, with the ability to write for diverse audiences.
- Commitment to equality and diversity and ability to use data to identify and address inclusivity gaps.
Role Context
This senior professional position requires independent responsibility, policy implementation, and strategic service leadership, contributing to long‑term planning aligned with wider university strategy.
Core Competencies / Transferable Skills
Planning and Organising
- Lead and manage functional area, staff, and resources.
- Shape strategic direction and contribute to departmental planning.
- Set quality and professional standards.
- Manage large‑scale change initiatives.
- Make decisions, manage projects, and produce outcomes.
Problem Solving and Decision Making
- Implement innovative solutions to improve quality and efficiency.
- Resolve complex issues and manage significant people‑management challenges.
- Identify trends and develop improvement approaches.
Organisational Understanding
- Understand the university’s academic and operational structure.
- Demonstrate empathy for academic pursuits and foster collaboration.
Relationships and Communication
- Interact effectively at senior levels.
- Network with professionals and promote departmental work.
- Influence and facilitate consensus in meetings.
- Consult service users to establish requirements and priorities.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The University is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, promoting equality and diversity across all roles. Applicants should actively promote diversity and use data to address inclusion gaps.
Application Process
Applicants are encouraged to provide genuine expressions of interest; reliance on AI tools may result in a generic application. Please contact Craig Maskell at c.i.maskell@bham.ac.uk for informal enquiries.
