Overview
Position: Head of Research Impact
Division: Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD)
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Job type: Full time, Permanent
Grade: 9
Salary: £58,225 to £67,468 with potential progression to £87,974
Closing date: 19 May 2026
Main duties and responsibilities
* Lead the development and implementation of the University’s Research Impact Strategy, aligning with Birmingham 2030 ambitions and enhancing the University’s global reputation.
* Contribute to the strategic leadership of the Business Engagement and Research Impact (BERI) service as a member of the BERI Senior Management Team.
* Manage a team of 9 Research Impact professionals, fostering an inclusive, agile culture across disciplines.
* Provide operational leadership and coordination of REF2029 and future submissions, advising academic staff and senior leadership on impact case study development.
* Develop and oversee institutional frameworks that embed impact across the research lifecycle, identifying opportunities and policy developments.
* Provide specialist guidance to the BERI team to strengthen REF impact knowledge and capacity for case studies.
* Collaborate with colleagues to enhance the gravitas of impact case studies with industry, public sector partners, and external stakeholders.
* Lead initiatives to strengthen the University’s research impact environment and support training, mentoring, and development related to research impact.
* Oversee development and use of institutional systems for capturing and evidencing research impact, ensuring robust data and reporting for REF and impact monitoring.
* Work with Research Development and Pre-Award teams to embed ambitious impact strategies within major funding proposals (e.g., UKRI, Horizon Europe).
* Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the role.
Required knowledge, skills, qualifications, and experience
Education and experience
* Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience in a research-intensive or regulatory environment.
* Strong knowledge of the UK higher education and research sector and environment.
* Proven leadership and team management experience, ideally in complex matrix environments.
Specialist knowledge
* Extensive experience in research impact development and REF impact case study delivery within a research-intensive university.
* Deep understanding of the REF impact framework, criteria, and sector developments.
Advisory and analytical skills
* Outstanding project and programme management, including timeline planning, risk management, and stakeholder coordination.
* Strong data and systems awareness, including familiarity with research information systems (e.g., PURE).
Communication and engagement
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior academic leaders and coach case study authors.
* Ability to analyse complex evidence, write persuasively, and support narrative development for diverse audiences.
* Confidence in building relationships and communicating with credibility at all levels, including senior leaders and external partners.
Collaboration and influence
* Experience of working collaboratively across teams to deliver shared outcomes.
* Skilled in building professional networks and influencing change through constructive dialogue.
* A strategic thinker who is proactive, resilient, and able to work under REF-level deadlines.
Organisational and strategic awareness
* Good understanding of the UK higher education research environment and the operational realities of delivering REF submissions.
* Proactive in keeping abreast of external developments affecting REF2029 submissions.
Values and professionalism
* Committed to academic values and the societal impact of research.
* Collaborative and inclusive, able to build consensus across diverse disciplines.
* Innovative and improvement-focused, seeking better ways to support research and researchers.
Informal enquiries to Helen Lau, email: h.l.r.lau@bham.ac.uk
View our staff values and behaviours here.
Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to reflect your own communication style. Applications relying heavily on AI tools may not be progressed to interview.
The University is committed to diversity and inclusion and holds Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We strive to create a fair and inclusive workplace. See our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre for more information.
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