Head of REF Engagement

Head of REF Engagement

Location: Westward House, Stoke Gifford, Bristol (Hybrid)
Contract Type: Fixed Term (Ending 31 DEC 26)
Hours: Full-Time or Part Time (0.6 FTE)
Total Salary Package: £56,745 Per Annum
Grade: UKRI Band F

Closing Date: 29 JUN 25
Interview Date: W/C 14 JUL 25

About Us

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, with the most recent exercise concluding in 2021. It is a peer review assessment process involving submissions from higher education institutions across the UK. The REF is delivered by Research England on behalf of the four UK higher education funding bodies (Scottish Funding Council, Medr in Wales, and the Department of the Economy Northern Ireland). Research England is a council within UK Research and Innovation. More information can be found on our website.

REF is a fast-moving exercise managing a wide range of policy areas, expert panel members and research outputs. Key to our success will be close team working and supporting each other through peak periods. Joining our team provides a great deal of opportunity to learn and develop.

About The Role

Are you looking for an opportunity to work on a major, high-profile, project in a close-knit team and a fast-paced environment? Do you want to learn about the UK’s different funding bodies, and work with some of the most highly respected people across the UK’s research community? Then this may be the opportunity for you!

We are seeking a Head of Engagement who can work collaboratively over the next 18 months to develop and deliver a strategic comms and engagement approach for REF 2029. You will be focussed on coordinating and expanding the programme’s engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders across the UK’s research sector, including the sector press, academics, research managers, government officials, and beyond. You will do this by establishing effective information sharing mechanisms and by developing a suite of high-level material which articulates the purpose and approach of REF 2029. You will develop a compelling narrative about the exercise and develop and build the structures to deliver this across our stakeholder groups, driving effective stakeholder relationships with universities, sector bodies, funding bodies, UKRI and the Department for Science and Technology. You will also build an understanding of existing engagement activities across the funding bodies and UKRI, including at a senior level, and work to connect these into the activities of the REF. You will lead our small Engagement team and work closely with REF Senior Leadership and our external panel members to deliver your plans.

Key Responsibilities

Working collaboratively and flexibly is key to success in this role. You will work across the REF sub-teams to build comms and engagement opportunities into a tight timetable. You will work with Research England, UKRI, Funding Body and university comms teams to build a comms approach and to connect opportunities and maximise impact. On occasion we may need you to adapt to and undertake other duties required by REF commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post. You will be a member of the REF Senior Leadership Team.

• Engagement strategy and delivery. You will develop, lead and deliver REF’s overall comms and engagement strategy, which supports the values and ambitions of the exercise and the requirements of funding bodies. This will involve exploring and establishing novel mechanisms to engage with key stakeholders, and the handling of complex press queries. You will be a primary point of contact for REF engagement and will work to establish ways of working which fulfil REF governance and the opportunity provided by our extensive panel network. You will need to work flexibly, proactively and reactively to adapt to a complex and changeable policy context and intense sector interest. This will include assessment of risks, development of solutions, and taking responsibility for outcomes.
• Managing engagement partnerships. You will foster proactive collaborative working between the comms and engagement teams of the Funding Bodies and UKRI, and between REF 2029 teams. You will develop relationships and craft strategic engagement approaches with sector bodies (such as disciplinary associations and national academies) and REF panel chairs. This will involve working closely with others in order to share intelligence and promote cross-team working. By doing this you will deliver a high-quality, timely and coordinated approach to engagement which maximises the benefits of our combined expertise and resources and articulates a consistent corporate narrative for REF 2029.
• Stakeholder management and supporting senior engagement. You will act as a representative for REF 2029 both internally and externally and will work to grow new networks and communities of stakeholders. You will regulate relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure they understand the programme’s vision, strategy, and impact. You will be a source of strategic advice and information to support the REF Director and Steering Group members’ own external engagement. This may include supporting the management of high-profile, urgent and sensitive activities.

Shortlisting & Interview Criteria

Criteria assessed at application stage are marked A, and at interview stage I.

Essential:

• Proven ability of leading in an engagement or communications role in a complex environment (A and I)
• Demonstrable strategic vision to own and advance a coordinated and coherent engagement strategy (A and I)
• Ability to build, manage, and sustain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, including internal teams and external organisations (A and I)
• Proven track record of successfully implementing stakeholder engagement approaches (A)
• Experience working across multiple teams, integrating diverse viewpoints, and establishing mechanisms for information sharing (A and I)
• Proficiency in preparing and delivering strategic briefings and advice to senior leaders and crafting high-level communications (A)
• Strong knowledge of the UK research and innovation landscape, understanding of the context in which UKRI operates and knowledge of the way in which government, commercial, and third-sector organisations function (A)
• Experience of balancing competing priorities and working to deadlines in a fast-paced and changing policy context (A and I)

Desirable:

• Sector: Experience working with academics, or subject specialists, and with knowledge of REF (A)
• Press and media relations: Experience in writing and distributing press releases, handling media inquiries, and managing public relations (A)

Hybrid Working

This post is based at our Bristol office, but we operate a hybrid approach, and you can expect a mix of working from home, the office, and external locations. As we recognise the benefits of in-person working, you will need to be able to travel to the Bristol office on occasions, for example for our monthly team meetings. This post also requires travel to attend external visits and meetings.

APPLICATIONS

Online applications only for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter to the attachments section (ignore free textbox for cover letter under ‘Experience’ section) which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘Experience’ section of the application process. 

INCENTIVES

DEVELOPING TALENT:

We are committed to developing employees in their roles throughout their career. Learning and development plans enable employees to continue their professional development through training and development opportunities such as e-learning, classroom training and on-the-job experiences. We encourage our employees to share their learning across teams and organisations.

BENEFITS:

UKRI can offer the successful candidate:

- Flexible Working

- 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays

- Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme

- Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider

Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)