The client is strengthening its research and innovation mission and is seeking to appoint a Vice-President (Research & Innovation) to provide strategic leadership for research, knowledge exchange, and innovation. Reporting to the Deputy President & Provost and serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Vice-President will help deliver the University’s Research and Innovation sub-strategy by strengthening research culture, growing research income and external partnerships, and ensuring readiness for REF 2029 and beyond.
The Vice-President will work closely with senior academic and professional leadership, including Executive Deans, other Vice-Presidents, and research-focused units across the client, to drive performance, collaboration, culture, and impact. Responsibilities will include leading activity to increase the size and volume of research grants, grow research and innovation contracts and consultancy income, support spin-outs and other commercial activity, and foster interdisciplinary working along with national and international collaboration.
The role calls for an outstanding academic leader with a well-recognised international reputation and strong understanding of the research and innovation landscape. Just as important are leadership approach and interpersonal skills: the ability to work constructively across the organization, build trust, listen, socialise ideas, and create momentum through collaboration, as well as the credibility and judgement to influence senior stakeholders and balance challenge and support. The successful candidate will share the client’s commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion, academic freedom, freedom of speech, and sustainability, and provide inclusive, collaborative leadership to shape the next phase of research and innovation.