Dear Candidate,

I am delighted to present this excellent opportunity to lead the Research & Innovation Service (RIS) at Northumbria University as our Executive Director, RIS. RIS provides dedicated, specialist support to Northumbria’s research community throughout the research lifecycle to help sustain Northumbria’s position as a research-intensive university.

Northumbria University has transformed to become the UK’s first research-intensive modern university and was named the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year in 2022. With almost 38,000 students from 138 countries, Northumbria University is one of the UK’s largest and most successful universities. The extent of our transformational journey was borne out in our REF2021 submission (March 2021), the results of which (May 2022) confirm that Northumbria recorded the biggest rise in research power of any UK university for the second time, moving up 27 places to 23^rd having previously risen to 50th in 2014, from 80^th in 2008. With 1,056 FTE staff entering Northumbria tripled the number of academics submitted (75% of workforce) up from 343 (29% of workforce) in 2014 and 162 (19% of workforce) in 2008.  Northumbria submitted 80 Impact Case Studies and over 2,000 research outputs across 13 units of assessment.

I am looking for an individual who will work closely with me to shape and implement delivery plans for both Research and Knowledge Exchange.  In addition, you will lead a high performing team, as well as work with external organisations such as funders and government departments to understand and influence the research policy environment.

This is an exciting time for Northumbria as we develop our strategy for 2024-2030, including stretching ambitions to grow our research quality and increase our volume of externally funded research, which will in turn change lives locally, nationally, and internationally. The appointment of this role is critical to that success; ensuring that we build and maintain our strong reputation by delivering a high-quality service which can anticipate and respond to the needs of our key stakeholders.

I am eager that we hear from individuals who have a deep and well-developed knowledge of the UK Higher Education environment and are appreciative of the national policy landscape for research, impact and innovation. As a Service, we are inclusive, reflective, and collegiate and we seek someone who embodies our values and behaviours; enabling us and others across the university to provide excellent and efficient services.

We hope that the following information is helpful to you and that if you have any further questions, you will take the opportunity to have a conversation with our advising consultant at Anderson Quigley.

Kind regards,

Our Vision

Northumbria University’s Vision for 2030 is to be a research-rich, business-focused, professional university with a global reputation for academic excellence.

We are a challenger institution, transforming to take on tomorrow. The University Strategy 2024 – 2030 is currently being developed as we consider our next steps on this journey to shape Northumbria’s future in a time of increasing competition and globalisation.

Read the University Strategy 2018 – 2023

At Northumbria, we embrace tomorrow. We pursue new thinking, forge new partnerships, create and exchange new knowledge, and find new solutions. Our inspirational academics, partners and students work together to tackle tomorrow’s challenges head on. We are ready for the future whatever it may hold.

Times Higher Education’s University of the Year 2022, and ranking in the UK top 40 (Complete University Guide 2024. Northumbria University is a research-intensive modern university with a global reputation for academic excellence. Northumbria recorded the biggest rise of any UK university for research power in the Research Excellence Framework for the second time in 2021 and is now rated within the top 25 in the UK.

Northumbria is one of the largest universities in the UK with almost 38,000 students from 138 countries. Putting students at the heart of an outstanding experience, and with world-leading research and award-winning partnerships, Northumbria is a new kind of excellent university.  Discover more about us.

Northumbria University is a great place to work.  We empower our exceptional people to achieve shared ambitions and promote a positive work life balance.  To say thank you, we offer a wide range of benefits including excellent pension schemes, flexible working, a generous holiday entitlement, continued commitment to your learning and development and more. 

We are an on-campus organisation where colleagues work regular patterns of hours and on campus, with some flexibility on the timing of their hours and the location of their work in discussion with their manager.

Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our staff.  We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community.  The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Campion Programme.  The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process.

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/theawards/

Ready to Ask the Big Questions?

Northumbria was the UK’s biggest riser in research power in REF 2021, with over 80% of our research rated as internationally excellent or world-leading. Hear our academics talk about how our research is taking on tomorrow’s challenges.

Our thriving research community:

Research enriched learning:

Research with impact:

View our senior management structure here.

As a colleague at Northumbria University, you’ll have access to excellent benefits and discounts. We know that every individual is different, and with our diverse benefits package we think there is something for everyone. We never stop thinking about how we can improve our benefits, to support you while you’re at work and so that you can make the most of your time off too. Our benefits include:

Generous Annual Leave

We want you have a good work-life balance; that’s why we offer a generous annual leave entitlement in addition to public holidays and institutional closure days. You can also take advantage of our additional leave scheme, which enables you to request to purchase an additional 5 or 10 days’ holiday per year.

Competitive Salaries

We pay and reward our colleagues based on the type and level of role you do. This helps us to make sure we are treating people fairly and that we remain competitive in the marketplace.

Nurseries and Childcare

Our Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ Nursery with a state of the art building boasts a range of features, specifically designed with your child’s development, safety and enjoyment in mind. We offer you the option to pay for your child’s nursery place via salary sacrifice, which means that you can save at least 32% (dependent on your individual tax rate and National Insurance Contributions) on the cost of childcare.

We also offer the option for you to purchase childcare vouchers, which are accepted by any Ofsted-registered nursery, playgroup or childminder. Again, you can pay for the vouchers via salary sacrifice, saving tax and national insurance contributions on your pay.

Excellent Pensions

You’ll be eligible to join one of our excellent pension schemes, with generous employer contributions that always exceed your own.

Our schemes provide a range of benefits, including:

• The option to receive a tax free lump sum as well as an annual pension upon retirement
• The option to contribute more to your pension via additional voluntary contributions
• The option to access your pension before your Normal Pension Age
• Early payment of pension in the event that you retire on grounds of ill health
• Substantial life cover should you die whilst in the University’s service

Learning and Development

Continuing personal and professional development is as important to us as it is to you; that’s why we offer a comprehensive suite of learning and development opportunities to support you to be successful in your role and future career aspirations. Developing your skills and knowledge is critical to the University’s success; that’s why we’ll support you to undertake further academic or professional qualifications that are relevant to your role.

Most importantly it’s about giving you room to grow; speaking to you directly, finding out about your ambitions and setting out a clear path, with objectives, areas for development and real opportunities to get there. A regular personal development and appraisal scheme along with one-to-one discussions will ensure you have the opportunity to discuss your individual development needs.

Discounted Travel

We understand that the cost of travelling to work can be expensive; we have a range of schemes to reduce the cost of rail, bus and metro travel.

We offer a discounted public transport travel pass to provide you with a discount on the cost of travel and enabling you to spread the cost throughout the year.

All colleagues are entitled to apply for a car parking permit. This permit entitles the permit holder to search for, and park in an available space in designated parking areas, but does not guarantee a car parking space. Permits are renewed annually.

Discounted parking at John Dobson Street NCP is also available.

Additional Benefits

There are many more benefits of working at Northumbria University. Take advantage of the fantastic facilities and offers available to you:

• A great place to work, with access to multiple on-site shops, places to eat and our award winning library.
• Whether you’re buying clothes, electrical goods, staying in a hotel or going out for dinner, you could save money by signing up for an NUS card or by using the discounts freely available to all colleagues.
• Join our state of the art sports facilities, including gym and swimming pool, at a discounted rate.
• You can keep fit on your journey to work and save money by purchasing a bike through our Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme. You’ll save at least 32% (dependent on your individual tax rate) and will be able to spread the payments over 12 months.
• Our Employee Assistance Programme is an independent telephone helpline available to all colleagues and their immediate family members to offer confidential support, guidance and advice on a wide range of personal and professional matters.

Relocation
Standard Relocation Assistance is open to new colleagues (at Grade 6 and above) who are employed on permanent or fixed-term contracts for a minimum of three years.

To qualify for relocation assistance, individuals must be:

• currently living more than 40 miles away from the location of their new work base;
• moving to a new permanent residence (either rented or purchased) located within 40 miles of their new work base.

Amount Available

The maximum amount of standard relocation assistance provided by Northumbria University will be 10% of annual starting base salary, up to a maximum of £8,000. For part-time staff, the maximum amount will be pro-rated against the full-time equivalent. This amount can be reimbursed for eligible expenditure as set out below.

Enhanced Relocation Assistance

The University recognises that immigration costs can be high and offers new non-UK colleagues enhanced relocation assistance to cover their own immigration fees relating to their Skilled Worker or Global Talent visa, including immigration healthcare surcharge fees.

Eligibility

Enhanced Relocation Assistance is open to all newly appointed colleagues who require permission to work in the UK and are relocating from either inside or outside of the UK who have a contract of 6 months or more.

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to Northumbria University. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 18 August 2023. 

Applications should consist of:

• A full CV.
• A covering letter (maximum of 2 pages) setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the knowledge and qualifications criteria of the person specification.
• Please include the names and addresses of two referees. Referees will not be approached until the final stages and not without prior permission from candidates.

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact Helene Usherwood on +44(0)7719 322 669 or helene@andersonquigley.com, or Alicja Janowska on +44 (0)7843 927 783 or alicja.janowska@andersonquigley.com