Strategic Research Development Manager

**Admin/Support**





Are you a Strategic Research Development Manager, passionate about people,
talent, and workplace culture? Join our dynamic Funding & Contracts team at
the University of Oxford and help attract, support, and develop top talent in
our world-leading institution.



Location: **Worcester Street, Oxford, OX** Salary: **£ 48,235 - £57,255 per
annum** if part time **(pro rata)** Contract: **Full Time (although part-time
will be considered), Fixed Term Contract (maternity cover 9 months)**



**

About Us**



Spanning the historic streets of the “city of dreaming spires,” the University
of Oxford has been ranked the world’s leading university for nine consecutive
years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we
offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring
environment that promotes excellence. Here, you’ll contribute to ground-
breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing
sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse,
inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and
aspirations. Apply now to become part of our extraordinary legacy.





**Research Services** is one of the key professional services departments
supporting Oxford’s research and innovation community. With over 180 staff
across our five business units, our values include teamwork, professionalism,
continuous improvement, empathy, respect and trust.





Sitting within the Funding & Contracts Team, the Strategic Research
Development (SRD) Team plays an important role in this community, identifying
opportunities and brokering collaborations around large-scale research
initiatives, providing dedicated support to the development, submission and
set up of strategic research proposals for external funders (public,
corporate, and charitable). Crucially, the SRD Team also supports the
development of strong investment propositions to the University’s Strategic
Research Fund (SRF), which was created to increase the University’s capacity
to make major transformative investments in researchers and research.





**What We Offer**



Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such
as:



• 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your
wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 5 extra days and additional leave
after long service.



• One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education,
offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12
weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.



• A commitment to hybrid and flexible working.



• An excellent contributory pension scheme.



• Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme,
discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.



• Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports
clubs.





**About the Role**



As an SRD Manager you will advise and assist academic and professional
services colleagues in managing the development of all aspects of
collaborative, multidisciplinary, multi-partner research funding proposals
(high value, complex, and strategically significant grants); develop processes
and support services to facilitate major applications and awards; facilitate
the inception of research programs by linking pre-award and post-award
research administration (including the organisation of collaboration
agreements and research related contracts); and contribute to the development
of divisional or University-wide externally funded strategic partnerships.



The SRD team has a unique role in RS, in collaborating with academic and
professional colleagues to produce strategic applications for both external
funders and the internal SRF. Recent evaluation of the SRF demonstrated the
impact that funded initiatives are having, not just in terms of the research
and impact they are delivering, but vitally the transformative nature of how
they are delivering that research across the university. SRD Managers work
very closely with these ground-breaking investments, providing a unique
opportunity to be at the forefront of research development.





**About You**



To be successful in this varied and interesting role, you will need:



• excellent skills in organisation, communication, and teamworking, as well as
client liaison expertise



• experience of conducting research or of research programme management in
higher education or equivalent setting



• to be a proactive, flexible problem-solver, with evidence of strategic
thinking and analytical ability



• knowledge of the UK and international research funding and policy landscape



• experience of post-award project implementation would be an advantage.





For this maternity cover position, it would be appropriate for someone within
the university seeking a secondment opportunity. We would consider an
opportunity for an excellent Grade 7 Facilitator to develop their skills, and
adjust the responsibilities of the role accordingly.





**Sponsorship and Right To Work**





This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa.
The University will meet the cost of the Skilled Worker visa and NHS surcharge
for applicants that require a visa.



Please let us know in your application if you require sponsorship.





**Application Process**



To apply, please upload:



• A covering letter/supporting statement



• Your CV



• The details of two referees





The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 25th June 2025.



Interviews will take place in the week commencing 14th July 2025, and will be
held online.