Internal Only - Head of Strategy and Operations and Deputy Director

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This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only.  Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.

Internal Only - Head of Strategy and Operations and Deputy Director, Research and Innovation Services

The Head of Strategy and Operations and Deputy Director provides senior leadership in Research and Innovations Services (to become The Research Service).  The post holder will lead a portfolio of strategic programmes and initiatives delivering on key strategic areas for research and innovation, including research excellence, the Future Research Service and service transformation, to include research data and business intelligence reporting. The postholder will lead new service delivery teams for the University’s school-based research and innovation support services, work collaboratively with all Research and Innovation Services teams and other complementary services, and establish relationships with senior University managers to ensure high-quality support for academic researchers across all schools. They will take a leading role in developing our submission to the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2029) working across a wider team of academic and professional staff to ensure that we optimise our submission and are appropriately recognised for the high quality of our research, impact and environment.
Reporting to the Director of Research & Innovation Services, the post holder will also work closely with the Pro-Vice Chancellor Research, Innovation and Enterprise in the delivery of strategic and operational activity. They will work collaboratively with senior managers in Research and Innovation Services to provide a clear vision and ensure the delivery of high-quality professional support aligned with University strategy and priorities.  They will engage with sector bodies on key strategic developments, such as the development of REF2029 and research culture.  They will have extensive knowledge of relevant UK research policies and the broader HE environment in Wales and the UK as is a solid understanding of the drivers and financial consequences of REF for UK research organisations.
This role will involve leading a series of sub-teams in the delivery of strategic programme and operational service delivery:

• Supporting Research excellence– leading policy, strategy and operational delivery of activity related to the research excellence framework (REF);
•  Research Data Transformation – leading the ongoing transformation of the people, system, process and culture supporting research and innovation at the University;
• Research and Innovation teams – leading 3 new service delivery teams for school-based research and innovation support services, ensuring high-quality support is provided to all academic schools under the model proposed by the Future Research Service programme of change.

The post holder will be required to demonstrate excellent leadership, management, collaboration, communication and networking skills, demonstrate proactive initiative and excellent project management abilities. They will be networked with relevant professional bodies, such as the Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) and be able to draw on experience or formal training in project management.

This post is full time and open-ended.

Salary:  An appointment will be made on the Senior Salary Pay scale

Closing date: Thursday, 16 May 2024

External applications are currently not being considered for this post.  If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Key Duties

• Review, evaluate and shape the Strategy and Operations Team. Develop and implement a 
• strategy for the team in order to deliver agreed outcomes;
• Work with senior professional services leaders, University senior management, the University Executive Board and academic staff to champion, drive forward and evolve the University’s vision and priorities;
• Form part of the senior leadership team of Research and Innovation Services (becoming The Research Service in time)
• To identify and lead the delivery of a range of strategic initiatives designed to improve the culture and environment for research and innovation at the University;
• To lead the delivery of the Future Research Service programme (including the creation of The Research Service) and future transformation activity as identified through business analysis and change of strategic direction;
• To lead the service delivery teams for the University’s academic schools and researchers (including research centres and institutes);
• To oversee the development of high-quality management information and business intelligence data for the research community;
• To provide insights from the sector and to lead the delivery of high-quality strategic and operational support for research assessment exercises including REF2029;
• Ensure effective communication about the Future Research Service and other transformations, to internal and relevant external audiences;
• To set standards of behaviour and ways of working across service delivery functions to ensure consistent, high-quality support is provided for academic researchers, ensuring a positive culture both within the service and supporting the positive research cultures in each academic school;
• Be responsible for budgetary control and financial matters within the Strategy and Operations team, operating within the budgetary framework set by the Director, to ensure that funding is spent effectively in support of the University’s objectives;
• Establish relationships with key contacts to ensure role objectives are meet, developing appropriate communication links with the University’s Schools/Colleges/Directorates and outside bodies as required;
• Plan and deliver projects that have a school/department/institution wide impact, managing the operation of project teams as needed, planning, organising and delegating work, monitoring progress and intervening as required.

General Duties

• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• Ensure compliance within the Strategy and Operations team for University policies relating to staff and employment matters; to equality and diversity; to financial procedures; to information and data management; and any other such matters to meet University and legal requirements;
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Important note: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.  Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for XXXXBR.

Essential Criteria

Educated at least to first degree level or equivalent with evidence of continued professional development through career to date;

Demonstrate excellent knowledge and understanding of higher education research and innovation, in particular the Research Excellence Framework, a solid understanding of the drivers and financial consequences of REF for UK research organisations, and current developments relating to Research Culture;

Evidence of ability to set strategic direction, lead and manage teams in large organisations; 

Evidence of leading the development of high-quality audience appropriate management information and business intelligence;

Evidence of working in a project environment, including applying knowledge of project management techniques and managing financial resources.

Evidence of excellent interpersonal, organisational and managerial skills and the ability to build relationships internally; 

Evidence of ability to work collaboratively and successfully across organisational boundaries to deliver jointly agreed objectives, avoiding siloed thinking;

Excellent report writing and presentation skills, demonstrating the ability to employ differing communication techniques and approaches in relation to the target audience;

Evidence of ability to take a strategic view and to develop ideas, initiatives and new approaches to complex issues, and employing tactical thinking when required;

Excellent planning and analytical skills, demonstrating the ability to deliver projects on time and within available resources. Excellent planning and analytical skills, showing the ability to deliver large scale, strategic and complex projects on time, to demonstrably high quality outcomes and within available resources.

Desirable Criteria

A relevant postgraduate degree or professional qualification; 

Formal project management qualifications; 

Welsh language speaker

Additional Information

Research and Innovation Services

Cardiff is an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. Our world-leading research was ranked 5th for quality amongst UK universities in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework and we provide an educationally outstanding experience for our 30,000 students. With an annual budget in excess of £500 million and around 6,000 staff, Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of the 24 leading UK research-intensive universities. The University has 24 academic schools grouped into three colleges: Biomedical & Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering and Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences.

The University’s ambition is to rank consistently among the top 100 universities in the world. Cardiff is also developing its Innovation System through a focused programme of investment in people and infrastructure.  Research funding secured from competitive, external sources exceeds £100 million annually and the University aims to grow this further through winning grants from a wide range of national and global sources.

Research and Innovation Services, RIS supports the University’s research community in initiating and delivering research and innovation activities. Led by the  Director, Vanessa Cuthill, RIS provides services via over 100 expert staff organised in five specialist teams: Research Grants and Contracts; Research Integrity, Governance and Ethics; Research Development; Research Commercialisation and Impact; and Business Engagement and Partnerships. The Department works closely with academic and professional services staff from all areas of the institution.

Job Category

Business / Strategic Management