Head of Research Operations

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £58,225 to £67,468 with potential progression once in post to £87,974 

Role Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Director RSSD, the Head of Research Operations leads one of our four College Hub Research Support teams, encompassing all aspects of pre-award research support, due diligence, grants set up, and contracts.

The Head of Research Operations is a core member of a wider, integrated research leadership team that works collectively across the full lifecycle of research activity. Working in close partnership with the Head of Research Strategy & Development, the Head of Post Award, the Trusted Research team, and the Research Ethics, Governance and Integrity team, the role contributes to a seamless, end-to-end approach to research support that brings together strategic development, operational delivery, and proportionate oversight of risk and compliance.

Main Duties

• Disclosure agreements and will also include trials specific agreements such as sponsorship agreements, and site agreements.
• To support teams with the more complex research applications and contracts as and when required, leading on such projects whilst providing team members the opportunity to develop their own skills in this regard via close working and ongoing mentorship in a culture of continuous professional development.
• Develop strong external networks across the Russell Group, professional bodies and wider sector to ensure the delivery of best practice at Birmingham. Empower the team to do the same, ensuring that the University is well connected and influential with major funders, partners, and collaborators from public sector, industry and policy organisations.
• Develop and embed a strong culture of collaboration, information and data sharing, and symbiotic working across the team to provide an agile, responsive and customer-focused service to researchers, external partners, and funders, to support the research ambitions of the College and the wider University in line with the Strategic Framework.
• Be responsible for HR matters within the team, leading and developing staff and ensuring that the recruitment, development and retention of highly capable staff is supported by clear development/career plans and performance processes and providing active support for, and leadership of, EDI matters. 
• Bring innovative and creative solutions to the work of the Research Strategy & Services Division and working across the other RSSD Hubs to embed best practice, consistent and effective ways of working and to lead programmes of change.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience 

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent level qualifications), or extensive experience of working in a complex organisation plus substantial relevant managerial experience. 
• Experience of drafting and reviewing complex research agreements using a pragmatic and risk-based approach.
• Ability to exercise a substantial degree of independent professional responsibility and discretion.
• Ability to lead and manage diverse groups of staff through intermediate managers.

Informal enquiries to Craig Maskell, email: c.i.maskell@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

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