Head of Faculty Research & Business Engagement

About the Role

We are looking for a strategic leader to join our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health as the Head of Faculty Research and Business Engagement. This critical role will sit at the heart of the Faculty’s Professional Services Leadership Team, working closely with the Vice Dean for Research and Innovation to drive the Faculty's Research Strategy and ensure it is executed successfully. You will also play an essential role in fostering an inclusive research environment, facilitating knowledge transfer, and building partnerships with key external stakeholders, including other academic institutions and funding bodies.

In this exciting, multifaceted role, you will oversee the Faculty’s research support services, including pre-award processes, business engagement, and doctoral research functions. You will be key to ensuring service excellence across all these areas, contributing to an exceptional researcher experience and supporting the broader strategic goals of the Faculty and University.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with the Vice Dean and Faculty Leadership Team to develop and implement the Faculty’s Research Strategy, ensuring alignment with the University’s broader objectives.
• Lead and contribute to the development of key partnerships with external stakeholders, such as funding bodies, industry, and academic institutions.
• Spearhead high-profile, multi-site research bids and initiatives to expand the Faculty’s research reputation nationally and internationally.
• Foster a culture of inclusion by ensuring equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded across the Faculty’s research and business engagement activities.

Operational Management and Service Excellence

• Lead the Research and Business Support Services team, ensuring outstanding service delivery across research and business engagement functions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and embed a culture of service excellence across the Faculty.
• Work closely with other senior leaders to ensure an outstanding experience for our Postgraduate Research (PGR) students.
• Ensure the Faculty’s research complies with regulations and reporting requirements, reducing risk exposure and supporting statutory returns.

Sustainability and Agility

• Oversee the management of research processes, governance, and ethics activities, ensuring alignment with University policies.
• Contribute to the planning and delivery of budgetary statements within the Faculty’s Research Support area.
• Champion environmentally sustainable research practices and foster a culture of agility and continuous improvement.

We’re seeking an innovative, collaborative, and results-driven leader who thrives in a dynamic environment. You should have:

• Leadership Excellence: Proven experience in leading teams and inspiring change across organisations, with a focus on service excellence and continuous improvement.
• Reflective Leadership Practice: A steadfast commitment to continuous leadership development and reflection and embedding a culture of continuous development and innovation within your team.
• Research Strategy Expertise: Significant experience in developing and implementing research strategies within higher education or a research-intensive environment.
• Service Excellence and Operational Acumen: Strong background in managing research and business engagement support services, with an ability to ensure service excellence and compliance.
• Strategic Partnership Development: Expertise in building and maintaining key strategic partnerships, including with funding bodies and industry.
• Commitment to Inclusivity: A demonstrated commitment to embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion into all aspects of research and business engagement.
• Agility and Sustainability: Ability to embrace change and drive agile practices within research and business functions, ensuring financial and environmental sustainability.

• Impact: Lead transformative change in research and business engagement, influencing the future of research at a world-class university.
• Collaboration: Work alongside visionary leaders and experts in the field, shaping a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative research environment.
• Growth: Take the opportunity to drive strategic projects and further your professional development in a supportive, dynamic leadership team.