Strategic Delivery Partner - Research Strategy and Services - 106826 - Grade 8

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

Job summary

A prestigious UK university in Birmingham is seeking a Strategic Delivery Partner to enhance strategic initiatives within the Research Strategy and Services Division. This full-time role requires a proactive individual to coordinate projects, foster an inclusive culture, and support senior leadership. Essential qualifications include a degree or equivalent experience, strong project delivery skills, and exceptional writing abilities. The position offers a competitive salary and a collaborative work environment focused on professional development.

Benefits

40 days paid holiday

Flexible working arrangements

Occupational sick pay

Qualifications

• Experience in a complex organisational setting is preferred.
• Proven ability to deliver projects in change-oriented environments is essential.
• Must have high emotional intelligence and political sensitivity.

Responsibilities

• Act as a key advisor to the RSSD Senior Leadership Team.
• Coordinate the Division’s Standard Operating Procedures.
• Lead discrete projects on behalf of the RSSD SLT.

Skills

Exceptional writing skills

Strong project delivery

High political sensitivity

Collaborative mindset

Education

Degree level education or equivalent experience

Job description

Position Details

Research Strategy and Services

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606

Grade: 8

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 21st January 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 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

We are looking for a proactive and creative professional to help drive forward key strategic initiatives across the Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD) and support our Senior Leadership Team in shaping how the Division evolves. This new role will play a central part in delivering key strategic projects, shaping effective ways of working across the Division, and helping ensure that important initiatives move forward at pace and with clarity. You will help to foster a positive, inclusive culture, turn ideas into clear actions, and produce high‑quality written materials that support decision‑making across the Division. If you enjoy making change happen, working collaboratively with colleagues at all levels, and contributing to a forward‑looking, people‑focused professional community, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Research Strategy & Services Division

The Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD) was established to provide a cohesive, expert and agile research support ecosystem for the University of Birmingham. Since 2022, the Division has evolved into a vibrant, high‑performing community that supports all aspects of research, innovation and business engagement across the institution.

Much of this success has been made possible through a programme of cultural and operational change, delivered in partnership with the University’s Strategic Change Team. With this team’s assignment now concluding, we are introducing a new role to maintain momentum, embed best practice, and support continued evolution across the Division.

Role Summary

Reporting directly to the Director of RSSD, the Strategic Delivery Partner will be a key enabler of excellence in how the Division operates, communicates and delivers change. This is a new role for a motivated and capable professional with excellent judgement, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work confidently with senior stakeholders.

The post holder will work closely with the RSSD senior leadership and divisional teams, providing a blend of strategic coordination, project oversight and policy support. From strengthening our internal culture and service design, to taking forward key initiatives such as the Division’s Standard Operating Procedures and supporting the University Research Committee, the role offers variety, autonomy and visibility.

We are looking for someone who brings energy, sensitivity and resilience, and who thrives in a dynamic and people‑focused environment. You will be an excellent writer, capable of distilling complex matters into clear and engaging communications, and able to represent the Director with professionalism and credibility. This is a unique opportunity for someone who enjoys making things happen, and who wants to help shape a forward‑looking division at the heart of a global university.

Main Duties

Strategic & operational coordination

• Act as a key advisor and delivery partner to the RSSD Senior Leadership Team (RSSD SLT) on the development and implementation of internal change, communications and strategic initiatives.
• Coordinate and maintain the Division’s portfolio of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring they are up to date, consistent and embedded into practice.
• Lead discrete projects on behalf of the RSSD SLT, including strategic planning exercises, major events, or service design reviews.
• Provide secretariat support to the Director’s College weekly College Hubs leadership meetings. Help shape agendas and ensure these forums are inclusive, purposeful, and well‑aligned to institutional priorities.
• Support the development and delivery of the RSSD Town Hall meetings.
• Lead the Division’s response to staff engagement surveys (e.g. ‘Have Your Say’), and work with colleagues to develop and track local action plans.
• Support the development of an inclusive and positive working culture across the Division, identifying opportunities for staff engagement, and peer learning.
• Act as a point of contact for colleagues seeking advice on internal projects or initiatives.
• Draft clear, engaging written materials for the Director and RSSD senior leadership team, including reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Support continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across RSSD by identifying and promoting best practice.
• Undertake other duties commensurate with the grade, as required by the Director.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to degree level or with equivalent relevant professional experience in a complex organisational setting.
• Strong track record of successfully delivering projects, or internal initiatives in a change‑oriented environment.
• Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, persuasive content for a range of audiences.
• High degree of political sensitivity and emotional intelligence, with the ability to build trust and work collaboratively at all levels.
• Experience of supporting governance or committee structures, including writing formal papers and coordinating inputs from senior colleagues.
• Confident and proactive, with a self‑directed approach to managing priorities and delivering work to a high standard.
• Ability to synthesise complex information quickly and advise on appropriate next steps.
• Knowledge of or interest in the UK higher education and research environment.
• A collaborative mindset, with a commitment to professionalism, inclusivity and continuous improvement.

Please attach your CV to your application.

Informal enquiries to Catherine Cochrane, email: [e-mail]

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.