Job Description

Executive Chair – Research England

Salary: £160,000 - £170,000 (based on experience) plus an opportunity for performance related pay.

Contract: This role is offered on a permanent, open-ended basis. Whilst offered on a permanent basis, we would consider secondments. Should you wish to apply on a seconded basis please make this clear in your application.

Hours: Full time

Location: Bristol, Swindon or London. Please note, this role includes regular travel to sites across the UK and international travel on occasion.

Nature of appointment: This is a ministerial appointment made by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. The post-holder would be an office-holder and an employee of UKRI.

Availability: Successful candidate/s will be encouraged to take up their appointment as soon as possible, following the successful completion of pre-appointment checks and security clearance

Closing date: Sunday 30th August at 23:55

About Research England

Research England is responsible for investing in research and knowledge exchange in higher education institutions across England. It shapes the conditions for a vibrant, globally competitive research and innovation system that supports national prosperity, societal advancement, and the public good.

Overall, Research England invests over £2bn a year across a range of different programmes. In addition, they operate funding programs UK-wide and collaborate closely with partners in the Devolved Administrations.

Areas of responsibility include implementing the UK’s Research Excellence Framework; leading work on the sustainability of the research sector in England; and supporting the translation of R&D from Universities into economic and wider societal impact. To date, this has included a range of major programs such as the UK wide Research Partnership Investment Fund, the Higher Education Innovation Fund, and coordinating the Knowledge Exchange Framework.

About The Role

The Executive Chair of Research England will be a dynamic and inspirational leader who will spearhead research excellence and knowledge exchange across England’s higher education institutions as well as taking the lead on various UK-wide initiatives.

As the Executive Chair of Research England, they will lead a dedicated team of over 100 people across multiple locations. In addition, they will work closely with the Research England Council and take overall responsibility for setting the strategic vision for Research England as well as contributing to the direction of UKRI. As a visible and credible leader, the Executive Chair will have a significant role in championing UKRI's relationships across the Higher Education sector, the other UK Higher Education funding bodies, as well as the Office for Students.

As a member of UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Executive Committee, the Executive Chair of Research England will be accountable to, and work closely with, the UKRI CEO and the wider Executive Committee, contributing to the collective leadership of the wider organisation. Research England’s Executive Chair will also be responsible for leading and delivering one or more cross cutting areas for UK Research and Innovation.

Key Responsibilities

UKRI’s nine Executive Chairs have two overarching responsibilities. Firstly, they are responsible for the outcomes delivered within their domain. To achieve this, Executive Chairs have delegated responsibility and accountability for a budget set through recommendations to the Secretary of State from the UKRI Board, which is in turn advised by the UKRI Executive Committee.

They have freedom to operate to deliver this budget through their council, including through collaborative programmes with other councils, aligned with the UKRI Strategy. Executive Chairs will harness strategic insight they gain from their Council’s Council and by sustaining senior relationships across the research and innovation system.

At the same time, as members of the UKRI Executive Committee, Executive Chairs have a responsibility for the health and vibrancy of the entire UK research and innovation system, recommending strategy to the UKRI Board. This includes collective responsibility and accountability for UKRI Strategy and budgets, and for the leadership and delivery of collective UKRI activities. The Research England executive chair will be accountable for multiple cross-UKRI functions, currently including commercialisation, financial sustainability and system health, and open research.

The following responsibilities will be key to ensuring delivery of Research England and UKRI’s objectives:

Leadership:

• Lead and manage Research England and its staff in the successful delivery of its objectives, providing the inspirational, inclusive leadership and vision to maintain and develop the quality, outputs and impacts from its investment portfolio;

• Be a core member of the UKRI Executive Team to deliver best value from the overall research and innovation funding and policy system and actively contribute to the development and implementation of the strategy for UK Research and Innovation;

• Work collaboratively across UKRI’s Councils to foster interdisciplinary work and a whole system approach, providing support and challenge when required.

• Work with the Executive Committee, the Senior Independent Member of Research England and other Council members to lead and develop the organisation’s strategic approach to research and innovation in England.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work with the SIM and other Council members on the strategic approach to knowledge exchange and commercialisation in universities within England to enhance their contribution to economic growth and social capital

• Fulfil Research England’s remit to create and sustain the conditions for a healthy and dynamic research and knowledge exchange system in the higher education sector

• Oversee Quality Related funding and maintain the excellence of research infrastructure in English higher education providers (HEPs). Stimulate research collaborations across the UK between HEPs, businesses and charities that help support economic growth and build local collaborations

• Represent and develop positive relationships between Research England and the devolved administrations and their Higher Education funding bodies

• Work closely with the Office for Students to support Higher Education more generally, delivering the Higher Education Innovation Funding programme, and other areas of joint responsibility

Finance, Planning & Analysis:

• Maximise efficiency and ensure value for money from public investment;

• Ensure robust budget planning and financial control;

• Ensure robust analysis underpins decisions, evidences outcomes and maximises synergy between Research England’s objectives and the overall UKRI strategy

Person Specification

UKRI wishes to attract the highest calibre of candidates with the appropriate standing for this role. The successful candidate will be able to command confidence and represent Research England with its many stakeholders at the highest level, being able to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

Skills, Experience and Standing:

• A highly respected senior leader with relevant experience of, and success in, delivering research and innovation results, including understanding the challenges of institutional block grant funding. (S)

• Politically astute with excellent interpersonal skills, able to influence, build and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of partners demonstrating a collaborative and consultative approach. (I)

• Clear and persuasive communicator capable of influencing at Board, Government, and senior external stakeholder level (especially Higher Education Providers), providing authoritative advice and exercising sound judgement in decision-making. (I)

• Commitment to the overarching goals of UKRI, and the health of a wider and more integrated research and innovation landscape. (I)

• An ability to develop and deliver a strategic vision for Higher Education research and knowledge exchange funding in England, built on a thorough understanding of these areas. (S&I)

• A demonstrable ability of having translated research into application and economic benefit. (S)

Leadership and Management:

• Proven experience contributing to the development and delivery of organisational strategy, with the ability to drive change, embed a culture of continuous improvement, and deliver tangible organisational impact. (S&I)

• Able to establish credibility quickly, navigate differences of opinion constructively, and demonstrate personal resilience, determination, and integrity in high-pressure contexts. (I)

• Demonstrable leadership and management skills within a complex organisation, able to evidence having successfully led through times of change and organisational development. (S&I)

• Experience managing diverse, high-performing teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, talent development, and organisational resilience across large, complex structures. (S&I)

• Track record of leading organisational change, delivering outcomes under pressure, and maintaining momentum in highly dynamic environments. (S&I)

• Comfortable making high-stakes decisions, delegating effectively, and ensuring accountability for resources, operational outcomes, and compliance with governance standards. (I)

(S) Assessed at shortlisting, (I) assessed at interview (S&I) assessed at both

Indicative Timeline

The selection process will include an interview and a presentation, along with additional fireside discussions. Candidates will also be asked to complete psychometric testing as part of the assessment.

Interviews will be in person and will take place in London

Process Dates

Closing Date: Sunday 30th August 2026

Shortlisting: w/c 14th September 2026

Interviews: w/c 28th September of 05th October 2026

Please note that the timeline for this campaign is indicative and therefore subject to change. UKRI reserves the right to close our adverts early without prior notice.

Please note that the role-holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for this role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How to Apply

Please submit your application via the Careers Portal by 23:55 on Sunday 30th August 2026

You will need to supply:

• A CV
• A supporting statement

You should aim for your CV and supporting statement to be no longer than two to three pages each.

Your statement of suitability should provide the following:

• specific information about why you believe you would be suitable for appointment into the Research England Executive Chair role and your vision for the role if successful
• think about your knowledge, skills, experience and personal attributes, and take full advantage of the space available.
• use practical examples where possible and ensure you refer to the essential criteria for this role.

Should you have any problem with submitting your application via the UKRI Careers Portal, please do send an email to seniorrecruitment@ukri.org with ‘Research England Executive Chair’ in the subject heading. A member of our team will be in touch

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, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. 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.

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.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.