Research Excellence Manager

Salford; Salford; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

32 days leave

Flexible working

Professional development

Community

Job summary

University of Salford seeks a Research Excellence Manager to drive a strategic research impact agenda, shape institutional policy and lead REF planning. You will collaborate with senior colleagues to translate complex requirements into actionable strategy and evidence-based decisions, strengthening research performance and societal impact.

The role emphasizes leadership, policy development, and a coordinated approach to research intelligence across the university.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership for the research impact agenda and ongoing improvement in impact generation and demonstration.
• Champion a culture where research impact is recognised, planned and celebrated across the University to support the mission.
• Develop and capture evidence and indicators to show quality, vitality and sustainability of research and knowledge exchange.
• Lead the REF preparation, submission planning and delivery to meet external requirements and timescales.
• Translate national research policy into institutional policies, processes and guidance.

Job description

Research Excellence Manager

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with experience in driving forward a research excellence and impact agenda to play a leading role in shaping research quality, culture and impact across the University. As Research Excellence Manager, you will lead the University’s preparation and delivery for the Research Excellence Framework (REF), provide strategic leadership for our wider research impact agenda, and develop the research intelligence and analytics that inform institutional decision-making.Working with senior academic and professional services colleagues, you will translate complex requirements and evidence into clear strategy, policy and action, helping to strengthen research performance and maximise the benefits arising from our research.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the University’s research impact agenda, developing and implementing institutional approaches that deliver continuous improvement in the generation, development, capture and demonstration of impact arising from the University’s research.
• Champion a culture in which research impact is recognised, planned, evaluated and celebrated, working with colleagues across the University to increase understanding of how impact contributes to the University’s mission.
• Lead the development, implementation and capture of appropriate evidence and indicators through which the University can understand and demonstrate the quality, vitality and sustainability of its research and knowledge exchange environment.
• Lead the University’s institutional planning, preparation and operational delivery for the Research Excellence Framework, ensuring a coordinated, compliant and high-quality submission within externally prescribed requirements and timescales.
• Act as an institutional expert on national research assessment policy (including REF requirements and guidance), translating complex and evolving external requirements into institutional policies, processes, systems and guidance.

About the Department

The Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) directorate supports academics to develop their world-leading research, secure funding, build strategic partnerships, commercialise ideas, and translate knowledge into impact in the world around us. Through wide-ranging expertise across the research and innovation lifecycle, the directorate helps turn new ideas into funded projects, meaningful partnerships and real-world change - enabling our research community to shape policy, improve lives, strengthen communities, support economic growth and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.

What's in it for you?

• An impressive 32 days leave - plus bank holidays, additional time off at Christmas and the opportunity to buy even more!
• Flexible working - we support a culture of flexible and agile working to help you find the right balance
• Professional development - we offer a comprehensive package of training and development opportunities to help you achieve your full potential
• Our community - there's a real sense of belonging here at Salford. We value diversity, in backgrounds and in experiences. Our difference makes us stronger, and together we share a passion for improving students' lives
• Our Peel Park campus is unique with lots of green spaces and great transport links including Salford Crescent train station means we're easy to get to