Head of Research Administration

Open from 6/1/2025 closing 17/1/2025 at 12pm.

Location: Department of Education, 15 Norham Gardens, Oxford, OX2 6PY

The role

The Department of Education is seeking to appoint a Head of Research Administration. 

This exciting new position will provide strategic, administrative, and operational leadership for all aspects of research support in the Department. This new post arises from expansion of our research portfolio and our desire for process re-engineering and improvement. Reporting directly to the Head of Administration and Finance (HAF) and working closely in partnership with the Director for Research (as well as the REF UoA Lead), the Head of Research Administration will be responsible for the implementation of the Department’s research strategy; the development and delivery of policy; the diversification and further expansion of the Department’s research income the management and direction of a team of professional support staff; and will have direct responsibility for overseeing our portfolio of grant applications and awards. 

The postholder will assume full responsibility for all research-related administration; and will occasionally deputise for the HAF on matters insofar as they pertain to research or compliance activities. 

The successful applicant should have experience of research functions and processes, including grant applications, contracts, project finances, and all related HR policy and legislation; thorough understanding of the research funding landscape and the requirements of funders applicable to the field of Education and the ability to identify and nurture new funding opportunities with academic colleagues; educated to degree level or equivalent, and proven technical skills to manage finance and other data; managerial and team leadership experience at a senior level; proven ability to gain the confidence of, and to influence, staff at every level, and to advise senior leaders and strong communication skills with a proven ability to understand the information needs of others.  Significant strategic leadership experience within a large and complex organisation, with a highly developed knowledge of research management principles and practice and other Higher Education or relevant Public Sector experience is desirable.  For further details about the role, please consult the further particulars.

The position is permanent (subject to a probationary period) and full time. The postholder will be based in the Department of Education. 15 Norham Gardens, Oxford OX2 6PY.

The closing date for applications is midday on Friday, 17 January 2025. You will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via the ‘Apply’ button above (please enter vacancy ID: 177518). Interviews will be held as soon as possible after the closing date.

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