Head of Research Strategy and Engagement

The Head of Research Strategy and Engagement is a senior leadership position within the University’s Research and Enterprise Directorate. The post holder will report to the Deputy Director of Research Services and provide leadership and strategic direction of the Research Strategy and Engagement team.

The role will provide oversight for the development and embedding of strategies and plans across a diverse range of priorities focussed on developing and sustaining an inclusive and collaborative research culture that enables the production of high-quality research outputs with the potential for wider societal engagement and impact.

The post holder plays a crucial role in managing strategic relationships and partnerships across the University and with key external stakeholders, including government departments and funders. Additionally, the post holder is responsible for the programme management of the institutional Research and Innovation Strategy, and oversight of research systems development and provision of management information to support strategic decision making.

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate you have: 

An Honours degree or equivalent.

Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the UK Higher Education environment, including national policy for research, impact and innovation and the associated funding landscape.  

Knowledge and understanding of national research assessment mechanisms. 

Significant recent experience of strategic development and embedding of strategies and/or policies to support the development and management of high-quality research outputs across a broad and diverse organisation.

Understanding of the impact of research culture on researchers and research outcomes and experience of supporting and facilitating a positive and productive research environment and culture. 

Demonstrable success in building partnerships with key internal and external parties, to facilitate collaborative working.

Please note that the above is not an exhaustive list. For further details, including the  essential and desirable criteria, click on the ‘Candidate Information’ link below.

At Queen’s our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a staff member you will become part of a vibrant organisational culture, which will provide you with the opportunity to achieve your full potential and enhance your career through a continuous focus on learning and development.

We offer an excellent employment package that includes:

• Great terms & conditions
• Pension schemes
• Flexible working by enabling you to design your working week in collaboration with your manager through a blend of remote and office working                              
• Family-friendly initiatives
• Career development opportunities
• Support for health & mental wellbeing
• Generous holiday entitlement of 8.4 weeks a year (made up of 23 days annual leave, 10 closure days and 9 bank holidays)

Queen’s University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We have created an inclusive culture by establishing staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.

We also subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI in addition to Athena Swan. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit: www.qub.ac.uk/diversity ; www.qub.ac.uk/qgi and www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffGateway/StaffNetworks/ .

Informal enquiries may be directed to Alan Tweedie  – [email protected] . 

Candidate Information

Attractive reward package

About the Directorate

Further information for international applicants