At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the implementation of REF 2029 policy and manage a dynamic team.
- Company: Join UK Research and Innovation, a leader in higher education assessment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and strong support for personal development.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on research quality in UK higher education.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and experience in research or higher education policy.
The predicted salary is between 58589 - 58589 £ per year.
Salary: £58,589 Per Annum.
Band: UKRI Band F.
Contract Type: Fixed Term until June 2030.
Hours: Full-time (flexible working available).
Location: Bristol - Hybrid working available.
Closing Date: 22nd June 2026.
About The Role
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, with the most recent exercise concluding in 2021. It is a peer review assessment process involving submissions from higher education institutions across the UK. The REF is delivered by Research England on behalf of the four UK higher education funding bodies (Scottish Funding Council, Medr, Department of the Economy Northern Ireland).
Your Responsibilities:
- Overseeing the implementation of detailed policy for REF 2029 through the submission and assessment phases.
- Leading on development and delivery of the survey of submission intentions.
- Overseeing policy liaison with the expert and advisory panels.
- Providing authoritative advice and guidance on the REF to a range of audiences.
- Representing the REF team, giving presentations and leading discussions at external meetings.
- Leading development and maintenance of key stakeholder relationships.
- Leading policy team planning and inputting to wider REF team planning.
- Line management of three senior policy advisors and one policy advisor.
This role requires flexibility to travel to meetings, including in locations that may require travel outside of work hours.
Personal Specification
Essential
- Educated to degree level or relevant equivalent experience.
- Demonstrable experience and understanding of research, and/or research assessment, and/or Higher Education policy with an ability to relate this to wider policy areas.
- Proven ability to communicate sophisticated policy issues to wide-ranging audiences.
- Proven ability to draw together and present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and complex evidence and data.
- Proven ability to communicate, build influential networks and experience in managing relationships across a broad range of senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and resolving conflicts.
- Proven ability to work with a high degree of autonomy, think strategically, prioritise effectively and to balance a demanding and varied workload.
- Track record of leadership and line management, or a confirmed ability to lead, motivate, and empower others across multiple concurrent tasks.
- Ability to travel across the UK, including overnight stays.
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture.
For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact.
REF Head of Policy in Bath employer: UKRI
At UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values individual contributions. Our Bristol location provides a vibrant environment with flexible working options, fostering employee growth through continuous development opportunities and collaboration on high-profile projects. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the higher education sector while enjoying a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
