Social Sciences Impact Funding Manager

University of Oxford; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in the UK is seeking a motivated Impact Funding Manager to oversee research impact funding schemes. This role requires strong administrative skills, project management experience, and excellent communication abilities. The candidate will coordinate initiatives, support senior leadership, and organize key events like the Social Sciences Impact Conference. A degree and proficiency in Microsoft Office are essential for success in this dynamic environment.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

38 days annual leave

Childcare services

Family leave schemes

Cycle loan scheme

Discounted travel options

Membership to clubs

Qualifications

• Proven experience in administrative roles, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to design and manage complex projects.
• Experience in organizing and delivering events and workshops.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate impact funding schemes and initiatives.
• Provide secretariat support to steering groups and panels.
• Organize high-profile activities like conferences and awards.

Skills

Strong administrative skills

Project management

Excellent communication

Analytical skills

IT proficiency

Team collaboration

Education

Honours degree (or equivalent)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Social Sciences Division at the University of Oxford is seeking a motivated and well‑organised Impact Funding Manager to join our Research, Impact and Engagement (RIE) Team. This full‑time role offers an excellent opportunity for someone with strong administrative and project management skills, an excellent communicator and team player with an interest in social sciences research and its impact on the world.

What We Offer

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

We support hybrid working arrangements. Any arrangements will be considered in consultation with the line manager, but with the expectation of working at least two days per week based in the Divisional Office.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Engagement and working as part of a dynamic and collaborative team, you will play a key role in fostering a positive culture of engaged research and impact across the social sciences at Oxford. You will coordinate a range of impact, innovation and engagement funding schemes and initiatives, including the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Impact Acceleration Account (IAA), the Oxford Environment IAA and social sciences‑led schemes funded by Research England's Higher Education and Innovation Fund (HEIF). You will be responsible for the administration, operation and delivery of the funding schemes and associated activities, acting as the primary point of contact for related queries.

This will involve working closely with colleagues across the team and liaising with relevant expertise elsewhere in the University as appropriate. You will support senior leadership by providing secretariat support to steering groups and panels, and by preparing reports on activity for funders and internal stakeholders. In addition, you will organise and deliver a range of high‑profile activities, including the Social Sciences Impact Conference, Impact Awards, and Festival of Social Science events. You will also liaise with delivery partners on specific work packages, ensuring the successful delivery of shared objectives and collaborative outcomes.

We are seeking an experienced professional with strong administrative and project coordination experience, preferably within a higher education environment. You will have a proven ability to design and manage effective processes that meet institutional and funder requirements, and to plan, manage, and deliver complex projects and events involving multiple stakeholders. You will be comfortable working to deadlines, maintaining high standards of service, and operating effectively within a complex organisational setting, supported by strong analytical skills and experience in gathering, interpreting, and synthesising quantitative and qualitative data for reporting and evaluation.

You will demonstrate excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, analytical reports and engage confidently and diplomatically with colleagues and partners at all levels. You will have experience of organising and delivering events, briefings, workshops, training sessions, and stakeholder meetings, and will be a flexible, proactive team player able to work independently, prioritise competing demands, and adapt to changing circumstances with a positive, solutions‑focused approach. You will be educated to honours degree level (or equivalent) and possess strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant digital tools or databases.

Social Sciences Divisional Office, 6 Worcester Street, Oxford, OX1 2BX, The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world‑class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.