Brussels Office Manager Research Strategy and Services 106706 Grade 8

The University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious higher education institution is seeking an individual to manage the newly opened European Office in Brussels. The role involves connecting stakeholders, facilitating research partnerships, and navigating European funding. Ideal candidates will have a degree and experience in project management, diplomacy, and research policy, with a supportive environment that values diversity. Competitive salary and flexible working arrangements offered.

Benefits

40 days paid holiday

Occupational sick pay

Pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of European funding programs.
• Proficient in English and ideally another European language.
• Experience in proposal writing and technology transfer.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day running of the Brussels Office.
• Identify and connect colleagues to major research collaboration opportunities.
• Create networking opportunities to enhance partnerships.

Skills

Networking

Diplomacy

Project lifecycle management

Communication

Knowledge transfer

Education

Degree level education or equivalent experience

Tools

Tableau

Microsoft Powerpoint

Google Suite

Job description

Position Details

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

Full-time starting salary: £47,389 to £56,535, with potential progression up to £63,606.

Grade: 8

Contract: Full Time Permanent

Closing date: 17th December 2025

UK and International travel may be required for this role.

Our Offer

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 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 the warm welcome of people from all backgrounds. We 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. We offer a variety of flexible working arrangements and 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.

Background

The University of Birmingham is a global UK institution and offers an inspiring education to students and delivers critical research. In 2025, the University opened an office in Brussels to engage directly with European research and business partners.

Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD)

The University has an exciting vision to build on the success to date by continuing to transform its research performance across outputs, income, impact and policy influence. Central to this ambition is the RSSD, a department established to provide a transformative and sector‑leading approach to research strategy and support.

Business Engagement & Research Impact (BERI) Team

Within the Research Strategy & Services Division the Business Engagement & Research Impact team (BERI) has been established to bring together the functions of Business Engagement, Strategic Industry Partnerships, Research Innovation Partnerships, Access to University expertise, Research Partnerships with major funders and Regional Engagement & Innovation. It drives innovation through change and building partnerships to make a global difference, contributing to a significant step‑change in research income by developing and expanding new and existing research partnerships and collaborations.

European Office Brussels

The new European Office in Brussels is a symbol of our commitment to nurture existing partnerships and forge new ones with European partners. The University is a top UK performer in Horizon Pillar II funding and the office will act as a gateway to grow its networks and deepen partnerships that will accelerate research excellence and impact.

Role Summary

The University of Birmingham is one of the most ambitious institutions in the UK and we are determined to be placed in the global top 50. We are looking for a talented and committed individual to support the RSSD and the academic community to manage the newly opened University of Birmingham European Office in Brussels, providing connectivity into funders and partners in the region and acting as a conduit for information and intelligence sharing. The post holder will manage the day‑to‑day running of the office in Square de Meeus, support visiting staff and build a network that enables new discussions, collaborations and access to funding via EU programmes or industry partners.

The post will formally report into the Business Engagement & Research Impact Management Team and will help initiate and deliver major strategic research projects and activities.

The role will, on occasion, be required to provide expert strategic support to the University’s Executive Board and Senior Management teams. Many research projects will be cross‑college and multi‑partner, including industry. Leadership facilitation, collaborative working and negotiation are key capabilities for this post.

Main Duties

Strategic Thinking

Working for BERI, the post holder will liaise with the Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor (Research & Knowledge Transfer), Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor (International), Heads of College, College Directors of Research and others. Working relationships will be established with Professional Services teams and in particular the EU/International team in RSSD, Birmingham Global and the Development and Alumni Relations Office.

• Analyse, review and develop current and future partnerships.
• Undertake frequent horizon scanning, business intelligence and analyses - maintain an awareness of the funding and wider political, economic and social environment.
• Identify opportunities and threats that inform new strategic directions and share this information accordingly, making recommendations about how to exploit new opportunities or manage possible threats.
• Feed into internal and external policy consultations and other University discussions of strategic importance relevant to the development and expansion of research capabilities.
• Produce high quality written papers, reports and presentations for a range of audiences including University Senior Leadership, College Senior Management Teams, RSSD colleagues and academics on various topic areas.

Partnership Working

Working closely with BERI and the RSSD and liaising with relevant College academic and Professional Services leads, the post holder will represent the University and its interests to external bodies: in particular European government bodies and funders; key industry partners as well as philanthropic foundations and other stakeholders.

• Assist the RSSD to establish and maintain a network of contacts within Brussels and proactively cultivate appropriate partnerships in collaboration with the Directors of Research and relevant College Professional Services leads.
• Support the RSSD and the wider University as the professional services lead in maintaining links with key European funding agencies.
• Ensure the University’s key messages are being clearly communicated to stakeholders in a timely fashion, including working with Professional Services teams to support and deliver impact and shape the use of institutional funds.

New Business / Project Development

• Identify lead on and connect colleagues to major opportunities for leveraging partnerships to deliver significant investment into the University for new research collaborations with a focus on Horizon Europe and associated EU funding programmes.
• Facilitate new multi‑disciplinary collaborations between academics and key external stakeholders by designing and hosting appropriate fora (research sandpits, discovery days, workshops) to build capacity for major project opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with the University RSSD / BERI team and others to identify appropriate industry partners and other funders to develop attractive funding cases.

Office Management

• Work closely with academics and professional services colleagues to manage the day‑to‑day running of the Brussels Office, ensuring a connected and welcoming environment for staff and guests.
• Joint planning with the team in Birmingham to deliver effective use of the Office and available meeting rooms for staff and guests.
• Ensure compliance with office contractual obligations and be an active and positive member of the community.
• Perform general Office Management duties such as hosting liaison and procurement as required.
• Work autonomously whilst remaining connected to a wider team and institutional international objectives.

In addition

• Actively manage equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.
• Support the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) plus significant practical experience where no equivalent qualification is held.
• Understanding and experience of European framework and funding programmes including familiarity of Pillar II and Pillar III funding calls and the ability to navigate and guide others through complex funding calls.
• Strong networking, diplomacy and consortia building skills.
• Knowledge of project lifecycle management, proposal writing, technology and knowledge transfer and innovation ecosystems.
• Excellent communication and dissemination skills specifically in translating complex research ideas into accessible information. Ideally proficient in English plus a European language.
• Experience with European funding policy development and ability to translate potential policy to reactive action within funding criteria and guidance.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy with the ability to write clearly for a variety of audiences and to produce and analyse source material, information and data.
• Authoritative knowledge of work practices, processes and procedures relevant to the role, including broader sector / commercial awareness.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied.
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

Key Skills

Marketing, Data Visualization, Tableau, Customer Segmentation, Microsoft Powerpoint, Investment Banking, Strategic Planning, Financial Modeling, Customer Relationship Management, Management Consulting, Google Suite, Analytics.

Employment Type & Details

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1

Monthly Salary Salary: £47,389 - £56,535

Informal enquiries to Helen Lau email: