People Management

• As required, providing line management and/or matrix management of Research and Innovation Services Assistants including working with the Senior Manager to coordinate workloads, staff appraisal and development, induction, and training, monitoring progress and performance, and performance management.

Strategy, Planning, Policy and Governance

• Contributing to the development and coordinating the implementation of policies, procedures, and guidance for impact evidence collection, evaluation and reporting.
• Support institutional preparations for REF 2029 by ensuring impact claims are supported by robust, validated and REF-compliant evidence.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings.

Project Management

• Contributing to the development, maintenance, and updating of impact case study project plans and project documentation; monitoring and reporting on progress; and assisting with the administration of impact evidence collection.

Wider Influence

• Working collaboratively with others in the team and making an active contribution to the wider work of the Service including:
  • Contributing to peer networks and communities to support the identification, dissemination, and adoption of good practice and solving common issues and problems.
  • Advising on routine enquiries and providing guidance to academic and professional services colleagues on policy, guidance and processes relating to Research and Innovation Services.

About You

Essential

• Degree level qualification (or equivalent) or relevant professional experience and a commitment to reflection and personal/professional development.
• Experience of conducting literature and database searchers and experience of analysing and interpreting both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Relevant and appropriate operational, administrative, or secretarial experience.
• Effective organisational skills with the ability to plan, schedule, and deliver multiple priorities while remaining flexible and calm under pressure.
• Ability to solve problems, using information from a variety of sources to aid analysis and make timely decisions.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, establish constructive relationships and influence others.
• Ability and willingness to motivate and manage others and to contribute to effective team and collaborative working that supports the best collective outcomes.
• Proficient in the use of IT and willing to develop existing skills and learning about relevant IT systems.

Desirable

• Postgraduate degree.
• Awareness/understanding of research impact and experience of supporting the development of REF Impact Case Studies.
• Experience of working with or an interest in STEM-related research, including citizen science or other participatory research approaches.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Working location

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where you can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that the role holder will be required to work from our Milton Keynes campus at least 1 day per week, with flexibility to attend campus more or less frequently dependent on business need. The role holder may also occasionally need to travel to external locations as necessary for the role (travel to locations other than MK office would be reimbursed or booked directly by the Unit).

Next steps in the Recruitment process

If shortlisted, we anticipate interviews taking place 23rd or 24th September.

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications have been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented.

If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting Statement (Your Supporting Statement should be no more than 1000 words and should outline how your current skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria listed above).

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.