Executive Director, Research and Innovation Service

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. Northumbria University is a research-intensive modern university that unlocks potential for all, changing lives regionally, nationally, and internationally. Bold, confident, and ambitious, Northumbria was named Times Higher Education’s University of the Year 2022. 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.

We now seek an Executive Director, Research and Innovation Service (RIS), reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange. Ambitious about our future, we are seeking an individual who is equally focussed on delivering a world-class Research and Innovation Service.  Via the provision of dedicated, specialist support to Northumbria’s research community throughout the research grant lifecycle, this role is integral to help sustain Northumbria’s position as a research-intensive modern university.

The post holder will be expected to demonstrate a highly collaborative approach, working across the University and with external organisations. You will have a positive and inclusive leadership style, excellent communication skills and extensive knowledge of the UK research environment and deep-rooted experience of pre- and post-award research administration.

To be successful in the role you will have extensive knowledge of the UK Higher Education environment, including national policy for research, impact and innovation, and the associated funding landscape. You will have the ability to think strategically in the context of the Research and Innovation Service objectives, supporting the University’s Corporate Strategy and within the changing external environment.  Likewise, you will have experience of managing a team and demonstrate a sound understanding of research culture on colleague experience and research outcomes.

CLOSING DATES FOR APPLICATIONS: Friday 18 August 2023.