Job Description

Ref Number

B09-01238

Professional Expertise

Professional Services Leadership

Department

Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement) (B09)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

67,341-75,192

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

Hybrid

Available for Secondment

Yes

Closing Date

30-Jun-2025

About us

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UCL is a world-leading research-intensive university, often ranked in the top ten in the world, with an annual turnover of well over 1 billion. Our research and innovation continues to grow in scale and complexity, with record levels of research income and impact achieved last year. UCL has more than 50,000 students and 18,000 staff from over 150 countries and our progressive approach to teaching and research, our world leading academics, curious students and outstanding staff continually pursue excellence, break boundaries, and make an impact on real world problems.



Part of VP Research, Innovation and Global Engagement (RIGE), Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides expert support to academics across the research and innovation lifecycle from securing funding to delivering impactful outcomes. The directorate comprises four interdependent teams: Award Services, Contract Services, Planning, Insight and Improvement, and Compliance and Assurance. Together, we ensure that UCL's extensive and diverse externally funded research portfolio is managed effectively, compliantly, and strategically.



The RIS Directorate is comprised of four teams; Award Services, Contract Services, Planning, Insight and Improvement, and Compliance and Assurance, who all work together to deliver a service to support, advise and provide expertise to our academic community for our extensive and varied portfolio of externally funded projects.


Award Services provides a range of specialist advice to UCL's externally funded research and innovation portfolio through the Research Support & Development (Pre-award); Project Development & Management (inc. ERIO) and Research Finance and Compliance (Post-award) teams. The service is delivered in partnership with academic and professional services colleagues across UCL, collaborating organisations, and funders.

About the role

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As Assistant Director of Award Services (EU and International), you will lead the development and delivery of high-quality support for European and international collaborative research, awards and grants. This is a key leadership role within Research and Innovation Services, focused on enhancing UCL's global research capability through an integrated and forward-looking service offer.



You will define, broaden and embed dedicated support for international research across UCL, ensuring it is aligned with institutional strategy and responsive to an evolving external funding landscape. Working closely with colleagues across RIS and the wider university, you will identify and act on opportunities to strengthen UCL's position and performance in EU and international funding.



You will provide strategic insight and expert advice on funder requirements, policy developments and sector trends, ensuring that the service remains agile and effective. You will also play a visible external role, representing UCL to key stakeholders and funders and leading engagement on complex, multi-partner projects.



Internally, you will support a high-quality, end-to-end service experience for researchers and professional services colleagues. You will champion service improvement and integration, monitor performance across the international portfolio, and ensure issues are resolved constructively and collaboratively.



You will lead and develop a specialist team, fostering a culture of learning, ownership and continuous improvement. You will ensure the team is equipped to navigate complex regulatory and funder environments, while also supporting career development and progression.



The role is hybrid, with regular on-site presence at Bidborough House expected on Wednesdays.

This is a 12-month secondment opportunity for internal UCL staff only.

Due to a restriction on panel availability, we are intending to hold interviews during late w/c 30th June.

About you

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You will bring extensive experience of working within a research and innovation operations environment, with a strong understanding of the international and EU research funding landscape. You will have a proven ability to manage high-level relationships with funders, collaborators and a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring excellent service delivery across complex, multi-partner portfolios.



You will be adept at navigating institutional boundaries, with a track record of working across teams and external partners to create a seamless user experience. With an excellent understanding of research policy, funding procedures and operational practice, you will be confident in translating complex requirements into practical and effective service models.



You are an experienced and capable leader, able to inspire and develop high-performing teams while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. You will bring a performance-oriented mindset, with the ability to identify, implement and embed change that drives service excellence and meets stakeholder needs.



With excellent communication skills, you will be comfortable conveying complex issues clearly and persuasively, whether in written reports, presentations or strategic discussions. You will be highly organised, resilient and proactive, with the judgement and insight to anticipate institutional risks and opportunities in the international research environment.

What we offer

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As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:


41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan On-Site nursery On-site gym Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent.



We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.



You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/