Research Funding Development Manager

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Overview

3 Posts Available

RPI supports agreed University, Faculty and School priorities for research and innovation: income generation, research excellence, PGR experience, partnership development and knowledge exchange leading to income and/or impact and commercialisation of IP and student enterprise. Our focus is on delivering professional, value-add advice and support to our community of researchers and innovators. We are a well-connected team which understands the priorities of the organisation and our external stakeholders and customers and the external environment in which we operate. Team members collaborate, reflect, develop their skills and have a risk-appropriate mindset of continuous improvement to our processes, policy and approach.

The Research Funding Development (RFD) team has a key role in developing and implementing strategies to optimise research income and develop the funding track record of academics who work in or contribute to research aligned to the University's research strengths, whilst also managing funder or University requirements.

You will have a vital role in supporting research funding development in the University and will focus on developing funding in priority areas. You will build in depth knowledge of your priority areas, understand the specific requirements for funding development and work with the academic community relevant to a priority. You will recommend suitable approaches, seeking consistency where possible, and be able to plan and deliver a range of activities with expertise.

We are looking for a motivated individual who thrives in a highly collaborative environment. You will have the flexibility to tailor your approach to the needs of a priority and as such you will require a broad understanding of research funding development as a basis to continuously develop your expertise and confidence to deliver specialist support and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the team.

The focus of this role is to support University aspirations for research income growth by:

• developing support plans for specific priorities, appropriate to the priority.
• proportionate implementation, including when responding to funder or University requirements.

Typical Deliverables Will Include

• Contribute to priority identification and development utilising a depth of knowledge and understanding of an opportunity, the capacity to respond, and what would be required for a successful outcome.
• Plan implementation appropriate to the requirements of the priority. E.g. cross-faculty commitment, involvement of staff across teams, risks or restrictions with the funding.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Develop and lead research development support for key priorities.
• Build a detailed knowledge associated with your priorities, this will include developing and analysing knowledge from funders, academic colleagues across different faculties and other professional services teams.
• Understand the benefits of, and requirements for, development in a specific area to recommend suitable approaches, plan effectively and positively influence decisions and future strategy.
• Utilise a range of expertise to deliver your own activity and plan for potential requirements on others to ensure coherent action. You will be expected to lead on some priorities and contribute expertise to priorities led by others.
• You will specialise initially in research funding development activity most relevant to the needs of your immediate priorities, examples may include, contributing to review panels, or developing collaboration.
• Over time priorities will evolve and you will need to develop additional expertise to adapt to changing requirements, contributing to your personal development but also enhancing the flexibility and breadth of what the team can deliver.
• Work in a highly collaborative manner within the RDG team, RPI department, other professional colleagues and with academic communities whose research aligns with the research funding opportunities you’re prioritising.
• Ensure an appropriate balance of recurrent, responsive and reactive priorities, ensuring efforts are proportionate and purposeful wherever possible and using judgement to both manage expectations and retain strong relationships.
• Contribute to our team's development, and the contribution we make to the University, evaluating approaches we take, sharing practice, proposing adjustments and flagging where there may be underlying issues or risks.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.