Job Description

Position Details

Research Strategy and Services

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £58,225 to £67,468 with potential progression once in post to £87,974

Grade: 9

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 30th June 2026

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham

Background

Department Overview

The University has a bold vision to build upon the success of REF2021 by continuing to enhance research performance across awards, outputs, income, and impact. At the core of this endeavour lies the Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD), a newly established department focused on catalysing the University’s Birmingham 2030 research ambitions.

The Head of Research Operations (College of Medicine & Health) is a pivotal role within the RSSD, responsible for leading a CMH research support function, working in close collaboration with the wider Division and academic and Professional Services colleagues in the College.

Reporting to the Assistant Director RSSD, the Head of Research Operations will lead a team of expert practitioners that deliver a portfolio of research support activities, including research development & facilitation, proposal drafting, budget preparation, compliance, and contracts negotiation. The successful candidate will provide visible and proactive leadership, ensuring regular face-to-face engagement to build trust, foster collaboration, and offer hands-on support to team members. They will create an environment where individuals feel valued and empowered, balancing strategic oversight with day-to-day guidance. Being present and accessible, the leader will strengthen team cohesion and drive performance. In addition, they will develop strong internal and external networks across the University and beyond, positioning the team as a trusted partner in delivering high-quality research support.

Reporting to the Assistant Director RSSD, the Head of Research Operations leads one of our four College Hub Research Support teams, encompassing all aspects of pre-award research support, due diligence, grants set up, and contracts.

The Head of Research Operations is a core member of a wider, integrated research leadership team that works collectively across the full lifecycle of research activity. Working in close partnership with the Head of Research Strategy & Development, the Head of Post Award, the Trusted Research team, and the Research Ethics, Governance and Integrity team, the role contributes to a seamless, end-to-end approach to research support that brings together strategic development, operational delivery, and proportionate oversight of risk and compliance.

This collaborative environment provides significant scope to shape creative and effective approaches across the research pathway — from proposal development through to the management of complex awards and contracts — while contributing to the design of efficient, sustainable processes and systems. As part of a supportive and high-performing leadership community, the role also offers strong opportunities for professional growth and career development, alongside the chance to make a tangible institutional impact.

The RSSD is committed to a collaborative and open culture, and the Head of Research Operations will benefit from this and will embed this same culture within their College Hub Research Support team to ensure that colleagues are supported and work collectively. They will form part of the RSSD College Hubs Senior Leadership Team and the Extended Leadership Group for the wider Research Strategy & Services Division.

Being approachable and open to staff within the RSSD and the wider University is a key element of the role, reflecting the collaborative approach that is essential to effective research support. Key internal stakeholders include academics, College Heads of Department, School Heads of Research and College Deputy Director of Operations for Research Support. The Head of Research Operations will also have the opportunity to develop relationships with strategic partners, funders and HEIs from across the sector.

Main Duties

• Working with your Research Support Managers, lead a Research Support Team of c25 research support professionals to effectively manage and agree prioritisation of workload across all aspects of pre-award research support including: research development; research facilitation and support for proposal drafting; budget preparation and costing; compliance with funder terms and conditions; submissions to funder; regulatory compliance and trusted research, including due diligence on partners and funders and referrals for export control; grant set up; negotiation and agreement of research contracts and research-related agreements.
• Ensure timely monitoring and reporting to senior colleagues in RSSD and the College of key performance indicators including grant applications, awards, contribution, success rates and contracts clearance levels. Develop and lead innovations in research support that seek to enhance these measures and ensure that the impact of service innovations is clearly understood, that systemic issues are recognised and addressed, teams are supported to effectively deliver, and services are continually improved.
• As a contracts signatory for the University, ensure that there is a clear negotiating framework for all research and research related contracts, that is regularly reviewed and updated, which supports the negotiation of all agreements relating to research, ensuring that this includes appropriate provision for the protection of Intellectual Property, the effective transfer and protection of data including highly sensitive data, the right to publish academic work, and the recovery of appropriate funds to support research to support the overall financial position of the Colleges and University. Developing staff within the team to do the same, ensuring a strong, proportionate and risk-based approach to research contracting at the University. These agreements will include: industry-funded contract research, collaboration agreements, material transfer agreements, confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements and will also include trials specific agreements such as sponsorship agreements, and site agreements.
• To support teams with the more complex research applications and contracts as and when required, leading on such projects whilst providing team members the opportunity to develop their own skills in this regard via close working and ongoing mentorship in a culture of continuous professional development.
• Develop strong external networks across the Russell Group, professional bodies and wider sector to ensure the delivery of best practice at Birmingham. Empower the team to do the same, ensuring that the University is well connected and influential with major funders, partners, and collaborators from public sector, industry and policy organisations.
• Develop and embed a strong culture of collaboration, information and data sharing, and symbiotic working across the team to provide an agile, responsive and customer-focused service to researchers, external partners, and funders, to support the research ambitions of the College and the wider University in line with the Strategic Framework.
• Be responsible for HR matters within the team, leading and developing staff and ensuring that the recruitment, development and retention of highly capable staff is supported by clear development/career plans and performance processes and providing active support for, and leadership of, EDI matters.
• Bring innovative and creative solutions to the work of the Research Strategy & Services Division and working across the other RSSD Hubs to embed best practice, consistent and effective ways of working and to lead programmes of change.
• Act as an ambassador for the University, upholding and promoting the University’s values and interests and deputising for the Deputy Director as required in high level delegations to campus from senior, board level representatives of major funders and partners ensuring that the University builds strong and effective partnerships in the pursuit of research income, impact, and influence.
• Develops and implements a culture (including policies and procedures) that promotes equality and values diversity and inclusion.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade, as required from time-to-time by the Deputy Director.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent level qualifications), or extensive experience of working in a complex organisation plus substantial relevant managerial experience.
• Experience of drafting and reviewing complex research agreements using a pragmatic and risk-based approach.
• Ability to exercise a substantial degree of independent professional responsibility and discretion.
• Ability to lead and manage diverse groups of staff through intermediate managers.
• A strong knowledge of, and interest in, national and international research policy and operations.
• Strong empathy for the academic endeavour at a research-intensive university and the ability to develop strong partnerships with senior leadership across the institution.
• Significant experience of providing senior practitioner support to complex issues relating to research contracts, compliance with funders terms, trusted research, research governance, research culture, and being recognised as a trusted expert and developing individuals and teams to do the same.
• Knowledge and experience of research funding and facilitation.
• Significant experience of leading and/or co-ordinating large, strategic partnerships that involve universities, public sector bodies, policy organisations, and industry.
• Excellent literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write for different audiences and for different purposes, and to produce and analyse complex source material, information and data.
• Actively promotes equality and diversity to internal and external stakeholders.
• Able to use data to identify, and develop interventions to address, equality and diversity issues.

Role context

Roles at this level will be senior professionals with high-level expertise, exercising within their particular functional area/section a substantial degree of independent professional responsibility and discretion, including the development and implementation of policies and processes. You are expected to resolve problems where there is a lack of precedent, requiring innovation and creativity to develop appropriate options. You will be responsible for setting quality and professional standards and managing service. Your work has a medium to long term horizon and you will work with a variety of people from several teams. You will also be able to make a major contribution to the longer-term strategic planning for your area, in line with the wider University strategy.

Core competencies/transferable skills

Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully demonstrate the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown below. You will be expected to take ownership for getting things done, including calling on others to join you in collaborative working groups as necessary. You will need to be flexible in supporting your department and wider University.

Planning and organising

• lead and manage a functional area, taking responsibility for staff and resources, tackling planning and operations over the medium to long term;
• shape strategic direction for own area, and make significant contributions to departmental strategic planning;
• set quality and professional standards for others;
• take accountability for the quality and delivery of a service or for the provision of expert professional advice;
• take the initiative and manage large-scale changes;
• make decisions and judgements on conflicting data/information;
• as appropriate, research and develop drafts of papers, taking account of the final audience, socialising ideas and seeking input and producing final drafts;
• lead and manage projects which are complex and significant in terms of time and financial resources.

Problem solving and decision making

• evaluate service provision and implement innovative solutions to improve quality, efficiency and continuity;
• ensure effective resolution of all issues in own area, often requiring complex problem solving through others;
• identify trends which could have an impact on the area, and identify and implement approaches to these trends;
• deal effectively and sensitively with significant and substantial people management issues, such as major change programmes and lead staff through change whilst maintaining motivation.

Organisational understanding

• quickly develop an in-depth understanding of their own area and an excellent understanding of the contribution other areas make to success of the University;
• quickly develop an excellent understanding of how the University and academia operate in the UK (and beyond as appropriate);
• demonstrate empathy with the academic endeavour and encourages others to do so.

Relationships and communication

• interact effectively at senior levels within the University;
• network with fellow professionals in the wider community to stay up to date;
• promote own/department’s work at internal and external opportunities;
• inspire and motivate others (often large teams) through multiple intermediary managers;
• provide expert input for internal/external meetings, influencing and facilitating different opinions to reach consensus;
• consult with service users/others to establish service requirements, standards and priorities for change.

Informal enquiries to Craig Maskell, email: c.i.maskell@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 accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website