Executive Chair - Research England

Job summary

The Executive Chair of Research England will be a dynamic and inspirational leader who will spearhead research excellence and knowledge exchange across England’s higher education institutions as well as taking the lead on various UK-wide initiatives.

As the Executive Chair of Research England, they will lead a dedicated team of over 100 people across multiple locations. In addition, they will work closely with the Research England Council and take overall responsibility for setting the strategic vision for Research England as well as contributing to the direction of UKRI. As a visible and credible leader, the Executive Chair will have a significant role in championing UKRI's relationships across the Higher Education sector, the other UK Higher Education funding bodies, as well as the Office for Students.

As a member of UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Executive Committee, the Executive Chair of Research England will be accountable to, and work closely with, the UKRI CEO and the wider Executive Committee, contributing to the collective leadership of the wider organisation. Research England’s Executive Chair will also be responsible for leading and delivering one or more cross cutting areas for UK Research and Innovation.

Job description

UKRI’s nine Executive Chairs have two overarching responsibilities. Firstly, they are responsible for the outcomes delivered within their domain. To achieve this, Executive Chairs have delegated responsibility and accountability for a budget set through recommendations to the Secretary of State from the UKRI Board, which is in turn advised by the UKRI Executive Committee.

They have freedom to operate to deliver this budget through their council, including through collaborative programmes with other councils, aligned with the UKRI Strategy. Executive Chairs will harness strategic insight they gain from their Council’s Council and by sustaining senior relationships across the research and innovation system.

At the same time, as members of the UKRI Executive Committee, Executive Chairs have a responsibility for the health and vibrancy of the entire UK research and innovation system, recommending strategy to the UKRI Board. This includes collective responsibility and accountability for UKRI Strategy and budgets, and for the leadership and delivery of collective UKRI activities. The Research England executive chair will be accountable for multiple cross-UKRI functions, currently including commercialisation, financial sustainability and system health, and open research.

The following responsibilities will be key to ensuring delivery of Research England and UKRI’s objectives:

Leadership:

• Lead and manage Research England and its staff in the successful delivery of its objectives, providing the inspirational, inclusive leadership and vision to maintain and develop the quality, outputs and impacts from its investment portfolio;

• Be a core member of the UKRI Executive Team to deliver best value from the overall research and innovation funding and policy system and actively contribute to the development and implementation of the strategy for UK Research and Innovation;

• Work collaboratively across UKRI’s Councils to foster interdisciplinary work and a whole system approach, providing support and challenge when required.

• Work with the Executive Committee, the Senior Independent Member of Research England and other Council members to lead and develop the organisation’s strategic approach to research and innovation in England.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work with the SIM and other Council members on the strategic approach to knowledge exchange and commercialisation in universities within England to enhance their contribution to economic growth and social capital

• 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 in English higher education providers (HEPs). Stimulate research collaborations across the UK between HEPs, businesses and charities that help support economic growth and build local collaborations

• Represent and develop positive relationships between Research England and the devolved administrations and their Higher Education funding bodies

• Work closely with the Office for Students to support Higher Education more generally, delivering the Higher Education Innovation Funding programme, and other areas of joint responsibility

Finance, Planning & Analysis:

• Maximise efficiency and ensure value for money from public investment;

• Ensure robust budget planning and financial control;

• Ensure robust analysis underpins decisions, evidences outcomes and maximises synergy between Research England’s objectives and the overall UKRI strategy

Person specification

UKRI wishes to attract the highest calibre of candidates with the appropriate standing for this role. The successful candidate will be able to command confidence and represent Research England with its many stakeholders at the highest level, being able to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

Skills, Experience and Standing:

• A highly respected senior leader with relevant experience of, and success in, delivering research and innovation results, including understanding the challenges of institutional block grant funding.

• Politically astute with excellent interpersonal skills, able to influence, build and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of partners demonstrating a collaborative and consultative approach.

• Clear and persuasive communicator capable of influencing at Board, Government, and senior external stakeholder level (especially Higher Education Providers), providing authoritative advice and exercising sound judgement in decision-making.

• 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, built on a thorough understanding of these areas.

• A demonstrable ability of having translated research into application and economic benefit.

Leadership and Management:

• Proven experience contributing to the development and delivery of organisational strategy, with the ability to drive change, embed a culture of continuous improvement, and deliver tangible organisational impact.

• Able to establish credibility quickly, navigate differences of opinion constructively, and demonstrate personal resilience, determination, and integrity in high-pressure contexts.

• Demonstrable leadership and management skills within a complex organisation, able to evidence having successfully led through times of change and organisational development.

• Experience managing diverse, high-performing teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, talent development, and organisational resilience across large, complex structures.

• Track record of leading organisational change, delivering outcomes under pressure, and maintaining momentum in highly dynamic environments.

• Comfortable making high-stakes decisions, delegating effectively, and ensuring accountability for resources, operational outcomes, and compliance with governance standards.

Benefits