Research Manager

CIBSE; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading institution for building services engineering is seeking a Research Manager to shape and deliver its research agenda. The successful candidate will identify industry research needs, manage collaborative projects, and ensure high-quality outputs. Essential qualifications include a PhD level experience and strong skills in communication, analysis, and teamwork. This role offers a competitive salary and promotes a collaborative working environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

25 days Annual Leave increasing to 27 days with service

Contributory Pension Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Hybrid Working

Health and Wellbeing benefits including Mental Health support

Qualifications

• Experience in research relevant to the built environment sector.
• Ability to manage staff and research projects effectively.
• Strong understanding of global sustainability issues.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver CIBSE’s research agenda.
• Manage the CIBSE Research Fund.
• Coordinate CIBSE research activities and apply for funding.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excellent written and oral communication

Proactive and self-motivated

Ability to work under pressure

Ability to engage with stakeholders

Collaboration skills

Education

PhD level academic experience

Job description

CIBSE (the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) is the professional body that exists to advance and promote the art, science and practice of building services engineering, to invest in education and research, and to support our community of built environment professionals in their pursuit of excellence. We support building services engineers throughout their careers by setting standards, accrediting education and influencing industry and policy.

Working at CIBSE means being part of a collaborative organisation with a clear social purpose, where your work contributes to positive, real‑world impact in a growing and evolving sector.

About the role

The Research Manager at CIBSE plays a central role in shaping and delivering the Institution’s research agenda to support safe, sustainable and high‑performing buildings. The role involves identifying industry research needs, commissioning and managing collaborative research projects, and ensuring outputs are technically robust, impartial and aligned with CIBSE guidance, policy priorities and member needs. The Research Manager works closely with academic partners, industry experts, committees and external funders, translating research findings into practical guidance, knowledge resources and evidence that inform standards, regulation and best practice across the built environment.

What you will do

• Develop and maintain CIBSE’s research agenda and manage the CIBSE Research Fund and manage the delivery of research outputs.
• Be the industry supervisor to CIBSE sponsored PhD researchers, post-Doctoral researchers and Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associates and line manage the Environmental Data Scientist.
• Identify and develop opportunities for specific research projects, working with CIBSE colleagues and members and with external bodies, stakeholders, academia, funding bodies and government as appropriate.
• Coordinate CIBSE research activities, including identifying funding and co‑funding opportunities for new research projects.
• Provide technical input to CIB’s Knowledge Team in the development of CIBSE guidance and tools.
• Liaise with CIBSE Special Interest Groups and Societies and update them on CIBSE’s research activities and priorities.
• Provide technical input to CIBSE Knowledge, Training & Events, Membership and Certification teams, including the development of new products and service ideas.
• Provide content on CIBSE’s research activities and outputs to CIBSE’s Marketing department, for media communications, and to the CIBSE Journal.
• Work with CIBSE Knowledge Management Committee and Knowledge Generation Panel to identify gaps in CIBSE knowledge and develop research proposals towards filling such gaps.
• Represent CIBSE through external speaking, senior stakeholder meetings and engagement.
• Lead the development of CIBSE’s Technical Symposium programme.
• Liaise and collaborate with international partners, ensuring wherever possible a coordinated approach to ensure our guidance supports them in their own ambitions to improve standards in building safety and sustainability.
• Undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time by the Technical Director.

Management

Play a critical role in supporting a high performing technical team, with a strong focus on supporting the development of CIBSE technical guidance and standards so that it can effectively inform CIBSE’s technical knowledge direction.

Be an active supporter of CIBSE’s Management and Senior Leadership Team, informing their decision making on overall direction of CIBSE.

Have overall responsibility for resource management in Technical Team’s research work.

Compliance and Governance

Take responsibility for own health and safety in line with CIBSE H&S policy and current legislation and undertake such responsibilities as they relate to any employees, volunteers or contractors for which the post is responsible.

Ensure compliance with CIBSE’s internal procedures and all external legal requirements.

Personal Effectiveness

Take responsibility as far as is practical for own personal development to ensure that personal knowledge and skills are updated to ensure effectiveness in meeting work objectives.

General

Show respect to colleagues, external partners and stakeholders, and to understand and adhere to CIBSE’s Equal Opportunity policy, CIBSE Staff Standards of Conduct, and CIBSE’s organisational capabilities.

Work collegially, and support all the teams the post has contact with, in achieving the organisation’s objectives.

Any other duties commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the necessary experience and/or training.

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will be expected to perform other related tasks to meet the overall business objectives of the Institution.

What you will need to be successful

• Experience of working in or undertaken research relevant to the built environment sector.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills to an advanced level including presenting complex issues in clear and accessible ways.
• Strong analytical skills and intellectual rigour.
• Ability to use judgement and make decisions on complex issues.
• Working to deadlines & prioritisation of workload under pressure.
• Being proactive and self‑motivation.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to work effectively in a team where work is carried out away from the office and the team may be dispersed.
• Ability to engage with CIBSE members and represent the organisation in a professional manner, using judgement, tact and diplomacy as necessary.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams, and stakeholders to deliver high‑quality research outcomes.
• Academic experience at PhD level.
• Understanding of global sustainability issues such as climate change adaptation, net zero targets, circular economy, resource efficiency, etc.
• Experience of working in a membership organisation, including building consensus and direction on difficult or contentious issues.
• Awareness of built environment related policy and trends.
• Experience in writing technical content.
• Experience in managing staff.

What CIBSE offers you

• A supportive and friendly working environment.
• Starting at 25 days Annual Leave increasing to 27 days with length of service, plus Bank Holidays.
• Contributory Pension Scheme.
• Family Friendly Leave.
• Three paid volunteering days per year.
• Annual Travel Season Ticket Loan.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Life Assurance.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Cash Plan – cash back for routine healthcare treatments.
• Health and Wellbeing benefits, including Mental Health support, and access to a 24/7 GP service.
• Shopping portal, rewards programme, and gym discounts.
• Referral Scheme.
• Hybrid Working where people are ‘in the office more days than they are not’.
• The chance to be part of an evolving, changing and exciting organisation that genuinely does change the world.

Application Process

To apply for this role, please include your CV and cover letter outlining how you feel you would be a great fit for the role.

Closing Date

The deadline for all applications is 10 am, Monday, 12 January 2026.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive sufficient applications. If you think you are a great fit for this role, please submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

The Institution is an equal opportunities employer. The post-holder will be expected to adhere to and support the Institution’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.

The pay range for this role is:

57,000 - 57,000 GBP per year (Head Office)