Executive Chair – Research

UK Research and Innovation

Executive Chair leading research excellence at Research England, overseeing initiatives and managing a dedicated team. Collaborating with higher education institutions to enhance knowledge exchange.

Posted 7/20/2026full-timeLondon • 🇬🇧 United KingdomMid-LevelSenior💰 £160,000 - £170,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates strong leadership in managing research and innovation initiatives, with a focus on strategic vision development and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration within the higher education sector.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Senior Leadership ExperienceStrategic Vision DevelopmentInterdisciplinary CollaborationOrganisational Change LeadershipStakeholder Engagement

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Research Funding ManagementKnowledge ExchangeCommercialisation StrategyQuality Related Funding OversightOrganisational Strategy Development

Soft Skills

Excellent Interpersonal SkillsClear CommunicationPersuasive InfluencingPolitical Acumen

Industry Keywords

Higher Education SectorResearch InfrastructureResearch EnglandUKRIInnovation Landscape

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and manage Research England and its staff in the successful delivery of its objectives
Be a core member of the UKRI Executive Team to deliver best value from the overall research and innovation funding and policy system
Work collaboratively across UKRI’s Councils to foster interdisciplinary work
Work with the Executive Committee to lead and develop the organisation’s strategic approach to research and innovation in England
Work with the SIM and other Council members on the strategic approach to knowledge exchange and commercialisation
Fulfil Research England’s remit to create and sustain the conditions for a healthy and dynamic research and knowledge exchange system in the higher education sector
Oversee Quality Related funding and maintain the excellence of research infrastructure
Represent and develop positive relationships between Research England and the devolved administrations

Requirements

What you’ll need

A highly respected senior leader with relevant experience of, and success in, delivering research and innovation results
Politically astute with excellent interpersonal skills
Clear and persuasive communicator capable of influencing at Board, Government, and senior external stakeholder level
Commitment to the overarching goals of UKRI, and the health of a wider and more integrated research and innovation landscape
An ability to develop and deliver a strategic vision for Higher Education research and knowledge exchange funding in England
A demonstrable ability of having translated research into application and economic benefit
Proven experience contributing to the development and delivery of organisational strategy
Experience managing diverse, high-performing teams
Track record of leading organisational change

Benefits

Comp & perks

Access to a defined benefit pension scheme
Excellent holiday entitlement
Access to employee shopping/travel discounts
Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme