REF Head of Policy in Bristol

Research England

Salary: £58,589 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, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, Department of the Economy Northern Ireland). Research England is a council within UK Research and Innovation.

REF is a fast-moving exercise leading a wide range of policy areas, experienced panel members that span all research subject areas and types of research outputs. Key to our success will be close team working and supporting each other through peak periods. Joining our team provides a great deal of opportunity to learn and develop.

PURPOSE

Are you looking for a new challenge? An opportunity to work on a major, high-profile project in a close-knit team and a fast-paced environment? Do you want to use your knowledge and skills in an agile way across a broad range of focus areas, learning new things and innovating along the way? Do you want to learn about the UK’s different funding bodies, and work with some of the most highly respected people across the UK’s research community? Then this may be the opportunity for you!

Research England and the UK’s other funding bodies undertake periodic assessments of research quality to inform their funding allocations and to provide quality assurance as to how these funds are spent. REF 2021 was the second REF and the sixth national exercise in broadly its present form. 157 Higher Education Institutions submitted returns to REF 2021, with assessment taking place across 34 disciplinary units of assessment. REF 2029 is gearing up to publish the final guidance and criteria for this assessment exercise, before moving into the submissions phase from later in 2026 where we will be supporting and collaborating with both universities and our experienced panels as they make their preparations. From late 2028, we will then enter the assessment phase of the exercise, supporting 1200 panel members to assess submissions made by universities across the UK.

You will have experience working in a policy or strategy field as well as experience working with senior partners and leading policy or strategy teams. You will lead the effective development and implementation of policy within the Research Excellence Framework. This will include leading on high-profile policy areas for the exercise, overseeing a small policy team, significant stakeholder engagement with both REF panels and the wider UK HE sector, collaborative working across the wider REF team, deputising for the REF Director on policy matters as appropriate, and representing the exercise at conferences and other national fora.

Your responsibilities:

• Overseeing the final development of the detailed guidance for REF 2029 at pace
• 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
• Overseeing policy input to FAQs and queries
• Representing the REF team, giving presentations and leading discussions at external meetings
• Leading development and maintenance of key stakeholder relationships
• Directing and co-ordinating the work of internal project groups
• Leading policy team planning and inputting to wider REF team planning
• Line management of three senior policy advisors and one policy advisor
• Collaborating with other Heads of Team as part of the REF Senior Leadership Team and Operational Oversight Group to input to whole programme functions
• Deputising for the REF Director as required

This role requires flexibility to travel to meetings, including in locations that may require travel outside of work hours.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential

• Educated to degree level or relevant equivalent experience (S)
• 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 (S)
• Proven ability to communicate sophisticated policy issues to wide-ranging audiences (S/I)
• Proven ability to draw together and present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and complex evidence and data (S/I)
• 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 (S/I)
• Proven ability to work with a high degree of autonomy, think strategically, prioritise effectively and to balance a demanding and varied workload (S/I)
• Track record of leadership and line management, or a confirmed ability to lead, motivate, and empower others across multiple concurrent tasks (S/I)
• Ability to travel across the UK, including overnight stays (S)

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 of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.
• Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer. Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org