Research Strategy, Culture, Environment and Governance Manager

RESEARCH STRATEGY, CULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND GOVERNANCE MANAGER Innovation and Research You will drive the University’s REF 2029 Strategy, People and Research Environment (SPRE) agenda. About the role Principal accountabilities Person specification Benefits How to apply Job details Responsible to Associate Provost – Innovation and Research Location Kedleston Road, Derby Campus Closing date Tuesday 31 March 2026 Salary £50,832 to £63,540 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £73,071 per annum) Job grade Leadership – E Reference 0053-26 Contract type Permanent Post type Full-time Adaptive working type Hybrid This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework. About the University We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better. The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region. We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills. About the College/Department Innovation and research is at the heart of everything we do at Derby; it informs our learning and teaching, supports businesses, drives partnerships and provides real-world impact.  The University Innovation & Research Department (I&R) is responsible for our research and knowledge exchange activities including funding opportunities, knowledge transfer partnerships, researcher development, ethics, impact, the Doctoral College, postgraduate research students, and external returns including the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF). About the role In this role you will drive the University’s REF 2029 Strategy, People and Research Environment (SPRE) agenda, providing expert guidance to the Provost and leading the development of the institutional narrative and formal submission of SPRE to Research England. You will analyse emerging REF policy, model scenarios, and advise senior leaders to ensure the strongest possible institutional position, while coordinating planning, monitoring and evaluation activity across academic and professional services. A priority for this role will be to provides institutional leadership for research governance, ethics and integrity, delivering on policy development, compliance with legislation and Concordats, and delivering training and guidance to embed good research conduct. You will manage assurance processes, audits and investigations, and ensure compliance across all countries in which the University undertakes research. You will lead the design and delivery of the University’s Research Culture and Environment Strategy, developing initiatives that strengthen EDI, open research, responsible metrics, researcher development and the overall quality of the research environment. Working collaboratively with faculties and research centres, you will co-create and evaluate interventions, share sector best practice, and help maximise research quality, funding success and PGR completions. As a key strategic leader, you will support researcher recruitment, development and progression, offer high-level analysis and reporting to senior leadership, maintain strong external networks across funders and regulators, and represent the University in national discussions on research culture, governance and REF policy. About You You will hold a degree‑level qualification and bring substantial professional development in research management, governance, ethics, integrity or HE policy. You’ll have significant senior experience in a research development, governance or management role within a university or research‑intensive environment, with a strong track record in shaping institutional strategies for research culture, environment, REF or governance. You will be highly experienced in developing cross‑institutional policies and frameworks, leading complex projects, influencing senior academic leaders, and evidencing impact through qualitative and quantitative data. You will have deep knowledge of the UK research policy landscape - including REF, UKRI, Concordats and responsible research assessment - and strong expertise in research governance, ethics, integrity, regulatory compliance and risk management. With excellent strategic thinking, analytical capability and the ability to translate policy into action, you will deliver high‑quality insight, modelling and recommendations for senior decision‑makers. Exceptional written communication, strong interpersonal skills and the confidence to lead sensitive governance matters are essential, alongside the ability to design and deliver training and build capability across diverse research communities. Principal accountabilities REF Strategy, People and Research Environment leadership Provide professional services leadership for the Strategy, People and Research Environment sub-profile, supporting the Provost/Associate Provost (Innovation and Research) in the development, implementation and delivery of REF 2029 strategies and implementation plans. Lead on drafting the institutional narrative for the Strategy, People and Research Environment submission and manage the formal submission of REF data to Research England. Provide expert analysis of emerging REF policy, undertake scenario modelling and provide evidence-based recommendations to senior leadership on optimal submissions. In partnership with the Innovation and Research Department coordinate REF planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation processes across academic and professional service areas. Research Culture and Environment Lead the development and implementation of an integrated Research Culture and Environment Strategy and Action Plan, aligned to REF, institutional values and research ambitions. Design and deliver initiatives that enhance research culture, including EDI, open research, responsible metrics, and researcher development across career stages. Contribute to the design of QR-funded initiatives that strengthen research quality, outputs, funding success and PGR completions. Enable co-designed interventions with faculties and research centres, ensuring progress is measurable, evaluated and evidenced over time. Share best practice from funders, peer institutions and sector bodies to drive positive cultural change. Research governance, ethics and integrity Provide institutional leadership on research governance, ethics and integrity, promoting a strong culture of good research conduct across the University. Lead the development, implementation, review and reporting requirements of relevant research governance and ethics policies and procedures (e.g., research misconduct, Human Tissue Act, open research), ensuring policies remain current in response to evolving legislative and regulatory changes. Ensure institutional compliance with appropriate Concordats and relevant legal, regulatory and funder requirements, including design and delivery of training, guidance and resources for staff and students on research culture, governance, ethics and integrity. Compliance, assurance and risk management Establish and oversee internal and external auditing, monitoring and assurance mechanisms to ensure compliance with legislation, policy and ethical standards, including leading on investigations into allegations of research misconduct. Provide oversight of research governance requirements in all countries where the University conducts research, including data protection, clinical trials and ethical regulations. Leadership, collaboration and external engagement Work with colleagues across the University to support recruitment, development, appraisal, promotion and retention of researchers and research support staff. Provide strategic advice, analysis and reporting to senior leadership to support informed decision-making. Establish and maintain strong external networks with peer institutions, funders, regulators and sector bodies. Represent the University in sector-wide discussions on research culture, governance, integrity and REF policy, enhancing institutional reputation and influence. Person specification Essential Criteria Qualifications Degree or equivalent professional qualification Experience Significant experience in a senior research development, research governance or research management role within a higher education or research-intensive environment Demonstrable experience of leading institutional-level strategy related to research culture, research environment, REF, or governance Proven experience of developing and implementing policies, frameworks and action plans that span multiple organisational units Substantial experience of research governance, ethics and integrity, including policy development, regulatory compliance and risk management Experience of working with senior academic leaders (e.g. Deans, Professors, Executive leadership) to influence decision-making and delivery Experience of leading cross-institutional projects or programmes with multiple stakeholders Experience of monitoring, evaluating and evidencing impact of initiatives using qualitative and quantitative data Skills, knowledge & abilities In-depth knowledge of the UK research policy and regulatory landscape, including: Research Excellence Framework (REF) Research England and UKRI expectations UUK Concordat to Support Research Integrity Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers Responsible research assessment principles (e.g. DORA) Strong understanding of research governance, ethics and integrity, including: Good Research Practice Research involving human participants Data protection and information governance Human Tissue Act (or equivalent regulatory frameworks) Sound understanding of research culture and environment, including EDI in research, open research, responsible metrics, and researcher development across career stages Understanding of risk management, assurance and quality frameworks in higher education or research organisations Excellent strategic thinking and planning skills, with the ability to translate policy and strategy into practical, deliverable action Strong analytical and evaluative skills, including the ability to interpret data, undertake scenario modelling and present evidence-based recommendations