At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational excellence in research planning and ensure timely delivery of complex projects.
- Company: Join the University of Birmingham, a diverse and inclusive institution.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to work across various teams and enhance your skills.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on research excellence and collaborate with academic leaders.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex operations and strong knowledge of research frameworks required.
The predicted salary is between 47389 - 56535 £ per year.
Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535, with potential progression once in post to £63,606.
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
The Research Planning and Operations Manager will provide senior operational leadership for Research Excellence Framework and research planning activity. The role translates strategic direction into effective delivery, ensuring complex institutional processes are coordinated, high quality, compliant, and delivered to schedule. Working with academic leads, College teams, and Professional Services colleagues, you will support planning rounds, coordinate data and assurance activity, produce high-quality papers and reports, and help embed consistent approaches across the University.
You will bring significant experience of delivering complex, time‑critical operational processes in a research-intensive or similarly complex organisation, alongside strong knowledge of the Research Excellence Framework or comparable large-scale assessment, planning, or compliance activity. You will be able to manage multiple priorities, work confidently with data and detailed documentation, build strong relationships across organisational boundaries, and communicate clearly with a wide range of stakeholders. Experience of Research Excellence Framework submissions, research planning in UK HE, and systems such as Pure, Worktribe, or Core Fusion would be an advantage.
Main Duties
- University’s REF2029 submission, working under the strategic direction of the Assistant Director (Head of Research Planning & Systems Strategy).
- Develop and manage detailed REF project plans, timetables and risk registers, ensuring alignment across ‘Contribution to Knowledge & Understanding’, ‘Engagement & Impact’, and Strategy, People & Research Environment (SPRE).
- Coordinate REF‑related data collection, validation and assurance processes, working closely with College teams, research systems colleagues and data specialists.
- Act as a central operational point of contact for REF activity, providing clear guidance and practical support to Colleges, Schools and Institutes.
- Support the delivery of institutional and College‑level research planning rounds, ensuring alignment between REF, research strategy, and performance planning processes.
- Produce high‑quality briefings, papers and reports to support decision‑making by senior academic and professional committees (e.g. REF Board, Senior Research Leadership Team).
Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience
- Significant experience of delivering complex, time‑critical operational processes within a research‑intensive or similarly complex organisation.
- Strong working knowledge of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) or equivalent large‑scale assessment, planning or compliance exercises.
- Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams, competing priorities and tight deadlines with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Experience of coordinating stakeholders across organisational boundaries, including academic and professional services colleagues.
- Strong analytical and organisational skills, with the ability to work confidently with data, plans, and detailed documentation.
Informal enquiries can be made to Nathalie Maillard (n.spence.1@bham.ac.uk). 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.
Research Planning and Operations Manager in Birmingham employer: University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation in research planning and operations. With a commitment to employee growth, the university provides ample opportunities for professional development and progression, alongside a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion. Located in a vibrant city, employees benefit from a rich academic community and access to various resources that enhance their work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Planning and Operations Manager in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those who work at the University of Birmingham or similar institutions. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Research Excellence Framework and the specific challenges the university faces. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your knowledge and how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with you. Focus on articulating your experience with complex operational processes and stakeholder management, as these are key for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Planning and Operations Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with complex operational processes and the Research Excellence Framework. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experience and how it relates to the job. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:Since this role involves coordinating with various teams, make sure to highlight your ability to build relationships across organisational boundaries. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with different stakeholders in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being considered. It’s the easiest way for us to track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Birmingham
✨Know Your Research Excellence Framework
Make sure you brush up on the Research Excellence Framework (REF) before your interview. Understand its key components and how they relate to the role. Being able to discuss specific examples of REF submissions or compliance activities will show that you’re not just familiar with the framework, but that you can apply your knowledge effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Project Management Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience managing complex, time-critical operational processes. Have a few examples ready that highlight your ability to develop project plans, manage risk registers, and coordinate multiple workstreams. This will help illustrate your organisational skills and attention to detail, which are crucial for this role.
✨Build Relationships Across Boundaries
Think about how you’ve successfully collaborated with various stakeholders in previous roles. Be ready to share specific instances where you’ve worked with academic leads or professional services colleagues. This will demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships and communicate effectively across different teams.
✨Prepare High-Quality Briefings
Since producing high-quality papers and reports is part of the job, practice summarising complex information clearly and concisely. You might even want to prepare a mock briefing on a relevant topic to showcase your writing skills and your ability to support decision-making processes. This will set you apart as someone who can deliver valuable insights.
