REF Director

Contract Type: Open Ended (permanent)
Location: Westward House, Bristol (we offer flexible approaches to working)

Purpose

The REF (Research Excellence Framework) Director will lead the development and implementation of the next national research assessment. Building on the work of the Future Research Assessment Programme (FRAP) and working with colleagues across Research England and the other funding bodies, the post-holder will develop the detailed guidance and systems for the assessment. You will establish and lead the team within Research England that will deliver the assessment and work closely with the REF Steering Group made up of senior staff from the funding bodies. You will lead the recruitment of chairs and members of the expert panels that will carry out the assessment, as well as chairs and members of advisory panels (the Equality and Diversity Advisory Panel and the Interdisciplinary Research Advisory Panel). Once established, the post-holder will be the key contact point between the team and the assessment and advisory panels. In this high-profile role, you will liaise with stakeholders across the HE sector and Government and represent the assessment at conferences and other national fora.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the next national research assessment
• Establish and lead the team for the delivery of the next national research assessment
• Lead communications concerning the next national research assessment, including presenting at conferences and national fora
• Ensure that the assessment is project managed to the highest standard delivering to the required quality, on agreed timescales and within the allocated budget
• Represent the Chair of the REF Steering Group and the Director of Research at Research England as required
• Contribute to the senior leadership team of Research England

For more information about the Research Excellence Framework and Future Research Assessment Programme, please visit our careers page where links will direct you to further reading.

Shortlisting Criteria

• Proven experience in managing staff, providing strategic guidance, and motivating and empowering them to deliver goals
• Robust and demonstrable track record and expertise in research policy related to higher education and an ability to relate this to wider policy areas
• Strategic thinking skills and a broad-based view of issues, events and activities and a perception of their impact or wider implications
• Experience of designing, planning and leading work streams, projects and processes effectively, innovatively and to tight timescales
• Ability to design and deliver a strategic approach to the communication of complex policy issues to wide ranging audiences
• Ability to lead a team through change and uncertainty
• Demonstrates a readiness to make decisions, take the initiative and originate action, including in circumstances without complete or perfect information
• A confident, assertive and co-operative style with an ability to deal effectively with people at all levels and externally to build positive working relationships

In return UKRI can offer the successful candidate:

- Flexible Working

- 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays

- Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme

- Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider

For more information and to apply, please visit our Careers Pages via the ‘Apply’ button above

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