Research Strategy, Culture, Environment and Governance Manager

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 provide 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.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family‑friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Access to employer‑funded Private Health Insurance
• Holiday purchase
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Professor Myra Conway, Interim Provost (Innovation and Research) via m.conway2@derby.ac.uk. For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Important Information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK. Please visit our website for more information.