University of Northumbria
Head of Grants and Contracts
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ABOUT THE ROLE
This is a senior leadership role within Research & Innovation Services (RIS) at Northumbria University, reporting to the Director of Research and Innovation Operations. The postholder will be part of the RIS Executive Team and work closely with the Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange.
The Head of Grants & Contracts leads the pre-award, post-award and research contracting functions, providing strategic and operational oversight of the University’s research income, contracting and expenditure activities. The role carries responsibility for a skilled, multi-disciplinary team and for ensuring end to end compliance with university and funder regulations.
The postholder will be expected to:
- Lead and develop the grants and contracts team, overseeing proposal submission, award administration and research contracting.
- Monitor research income performance, devise strategies to maximise income, and produce analysis on bidding activity and success rates.
- Work closely with Finance, overseeing income classification and reporting.
- Serve as the primary contact for internal and external stakeholders on funding matters, ensuring timely award processing from set-up through to project closure, and contributing to statutory returns including HESA, TRAC and HEB-CI.
- Keep pace with developments in systems, technology and AI to drive continuous service improvement, and to build networks across the sector to share best practice and identify emerging trends.
Further information is available in the job description [https://livenorthumbriaac.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/role-descriptions/IQCklC1b1cSMTLq8qE-bqBK_AfAGQVvDxyVfSTUxyymgyIU?e=IQJQNr].
ABOUT THE TEAM
Northumbria University is a vibrant, campus-based institution and the successful candidate will be expected to spend most of their time on campus at our Newcastle City location. This is a people-facing leadership role where presence matters, both for the effective management of teams and for building the strong internal relationships that are central to success in this post.
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We recognise the importance of work-life balance and have flexible and hybrid working arrangements in place, which will be agreed in line with the needs of the role and the service.
ABOUT YOU
To be successful in the role you will have:
- Deep knowledge of the UK higher education environment, the research funding landscape and external funder requirements, including UK Research Councils, Charities and the European Union.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to operate effectively as part of a senior management team, shaping and driving forward research and knowledge exchange strategy.
- Proven people leadership skills with a positive, inclusive and collegiate style, and a track record of motivating and developing high-performing professional teams.
- Strong communication, organisational and financial management skills, with the ability to manage complex information and build effective relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrable experience of working in a large and complex organisation, including successful resource planning, budget management and the development and implementation of policies and processes.
- A first degree or postgraduate qualification and/or substantial professional experience is essential; a relevant professional qualification is desirable.
Further information is available in the person specification [https://livenorthumbriaac.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/role-descriptions/IQCklC1b1cSMTLq8qE-bqBK_AfAGQVvDxyVfSTUxyymgyIU?e=IQJQNr].
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Rachel Williamson-Pears, Director of Research & Knowledge Exchange Operations rachel.williamson-pears@northumbria.ac.uk
To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'. Your application should include a covering letter and a CV.
ABOUT US
Join Northumbria University, a research-intensive institution unlocking potential and changing lives locally and globally. Named Times Higher Education's University of the Year [https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fissuu.com%2Fnorthumbria_university%2Fdocs%2Fthe_northumbria_award_supplement_updated_e_version%3Ffr%3DsMWJkYjU3NTE5Njc&data=05%7C02%7Candrea.slowey%40northumbria.ac.uk%7C28743be36afd4b6dd6c808dc83b22ed0%7Ce757cfdd1f354457af8f7c9c6b1437e3%7C0%7C0%7C638530048506659406%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bG59Jf8IIi%2B7cPC9BzrKztvmg%2Blyx%2BdNTntw2nNEVxo%3D&reserved=0] in 2022 and Modern University of the Year [https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.northumbria.ac.uk%2Fabout-us%2Fnews-events%2Fnews%2Ftimes-modern-uni%2F&data=05%7C02%7Camanda.weir%40northumbria.ac.uk%7C0eb6d4eba0e44f730b0b08dce6b5bb4b%7Ce757cfdd1f354457af8f7c9c6b1437e3%7C0%7C0%7C638638915404863722%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=u43o%2B1q%2BDLOJeZtCTqLLU4CmMwjtQ8fETrgFcxb4rIU%3D&reserved=0] in 2025, we rank top 25 in the UK for research power. Discover more about us [https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.northumbria.ac.uk%2Fabout-us%2F&data=05%7C02%7Candrea.slowey%40northumbria.ac.uk%7C28743be36afd4b6dd6c808dc83b22ed0%7Ce757cfdd1f354457af8f7c9c6b1437e3%7C0%7C0%7C638530048506663793%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=24%2BXj%2F4gj1dATkkZOJixKTCHN7pQ5%2FUiDq2DM7DrHbY%3D&reserved=0].
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