Innovation and Research Strategic Delivery Manager

Here at Derby we have committed to nurture and encourage research excellence across all our disciplines and career stages, recognising the strong link between excellent research and an excellent student experience. Our research makes a difference by making an impact on our students, industry (locally, regionally and internationally), policy makers, our international research partners and the wider community.

We have entered a new and exciting era for research at the University, making investments in our students, staff and research infrastructure to help us achieve our overall aim of producing research that is high-impact and high-profile and that is beneficial to our stakeholder groups. We are investing in research, supporting our REF 2029 plans, providing doctoral bursaries and in staffing in the Innovation and Research (I&R) team.

I&R supports 350 doctoral students and we have 200+ research active staff across the University. Furthermore, as an anchor University our research supports the growth and development of our local communities and economies. We remain in the ‘top 10’ Universities for the highest number of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships being delivered. Our collaborative research income, from funders such as UKRI and charities continues to rise, engaging our academics with both multinationals as well as small and medium size enterprises. All these funded research activities support innovation, product and business development and competitiveness in our regional economy, as well as internationally.

This role will lead a core strand of activity within the Innovation and Research (I&R) portfolio, supporting operational delivery of the University I&R Strategy and REF Strategy. You will be responsible for line managing the I&R Administrator and oversight over the I&R Data Administrator.

The role will require strong analytical and communication skills and will work to operationalise REF guidance and criteria and lead the management of internal REF processes including those relating to Contribution to Knowledge and Understanding (Outputs), People, Culture and Environment and the Volume Measure. You will require strong leadership skills to work closely with academic and professional services staff at all levels to prepare and provide feedback on the REF submission.

The role will be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of the REF related aspects of the new Research Information System to ensure effective monitoring and performance reporting is in place.

You will be a subject matter expert on REF and use confident and engaging presentation skills to act as an authoritative influence across the University regarding research assessment and key external requirements including the REF and Staff HESA return.

You will have strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills with experience of identifying and implementing efficiencies in processes and driving continuous improvement. You will also have experience in supporting the operations and maintenance of digital systems.

You will have excellent communication, networking and influencing skills and the ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with senior stakeholders. This will allow the role holder the ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries, with the capacity to be a constructive team player.

1. Work as part of the Innovation and Research (I&R) Team to build relationships with key stakeholders internally and externally.
2. Act as an authoritative influence across the University regarding research and other key I&R external requirements such as the REF return.
3. Collaborate with key stakeholders across the University to challenge and support practice in order to promote and enhance high-quality research activity.
4. Take a lead role in driving, evolving, and embedding further the University’s research culture to support institutional goals. In doing so, to identify opportunities for continual improvement in the approach and tools used by I&R.
5. Lead on the development of robust tools to support key decision making.
6. Work with Strategic Insights and Planning (SIP) to ensure alignment of I&R Performance targets with the cross-University Performance targets.
7. Lead on the effective curation of REF data, appropriate management of data and compliance with external agency requirements e.g. Research England.
8. Support risk identification and escalation within the remit of the role.
9. Deputise for the Associate Provost, Innovation and Research, where required by supporting management of strategic relationships and the profile of I&R in relevant projects/groups/meetings.
10. Oversee the preparation and submission of external statutory submissions such as REF through the governance structure.
11. Lead and manage the development, delivery and maintenance of I&R’s Research Information System and interfaces.
12. Regularly solicit feedback on operating procedures to ensure issues are captured, and that development opportunities for future enhancements to processes and guidance are optimised, liaising with stakeholders as appropriate to optimise the use and benefit of such systems.
13. Contribute to the development and delivery of research information system training materials in consultation with relevant I&R colleagues.
14. Support the I&R Senior Leadership Team in continuously improving the services provided by I&R, making suggestions for improvement and proactively implementing service, process and documentation improvements.
15. Engage with external research management associations (e.g. ARMA) to gather and maintain sector intelligence.
16. Manage the I&R Administrator and oversee the I&R Data Administrator.