Job Description

Position Details

Research Strategy and Services


Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK


Full time starting salary is normally in the range 36,130 to 45,413 with potential progression once in post to 48,149


Grade: 7


Full Time, Permanent


Closing date: 2nd June 2025


UK travel may be required for this role.

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.


The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.


We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.


We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.


Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.


The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.


Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham

Background

Are you passionate about supporting ground breaking research? Join the University of Birmingham and become part of our dynamic Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD). With an ambitious vision to enhance our research performance post-REF2021 across outputs, income, impact and influence, we're dedicated to fostering an inclusive and productive environment for all our researchers.


The RSSD is a vibrant Professional Services department committed to revolutionising research strategy and support. We are creating an inclusive ecosystem where professionals from diverse backgrounds collaborate seamlessly across various teams, including Research Strategy & Development and Business Engagement and Research Impact. This post sits in the Business Engagement and Research Impact function and reports to the Head of Communications and Engagement.

Role Summary

Working closely with the Head of Communications and Engagement and the Digital Marketing and Events Officer, the Events Manager is responsible for the development and delivery of a programme of events targeting industry and other research collaborators, focused on business engagement and research impact priorities. The post requires a creative and organised individual, who is proactive and has a great attention to detail. The post holder will work collaboratively with colleagues across RSSD, particularly in the business engagement and research impact function, the wider University and external partners on events that generate new opportunities for research collaboration and showcase existing research partnerships and capabilities to a variety of local, national and international industry audiences.


Please note this role requires the flexibility to work out of hours and travel to events, for which prior notice will be given.

Main Duties

Plan and execute a varied programme of events, managing multiple events simultaneously and ensuring time and resources are used effectively. Lead on-the-day event activities, managing suppliers and providing customer service to attendees, coordinating activity with the Digital Marketing and Events Officer Develop and maintain monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure successful delivery of events within budget, and in line with business engagement and research impact objectives Develop positive working relationships with a diverse range of university colleagues, including academic colleagues, and external stakeholders, ensuring agreements and plans are clear, comprehensive and mutually beneficial Identify new event opportunities and secure speaking opportunities at key external events in line with business engagement and research impact objectives, and wider University ambitions Provide verbal and written briefings for University colleague Ensure all events adhere to University regulations, policies and codes of practice on matters related to events including health and safety, freedom of expression, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and sustainability Equip colleagues elsewhere in the Division and the wider University with good practice guidance and support for event management, as required Ability to produce presentations, speeches and information in an interesting and informative manner. Deputise for the Head of Communications and Engagement where appropriate. Promote equality, diversity and inclusion, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture. Support the University's sustainability agenda through resource efficient working. Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

Significant end-to-end events management experience (in-person and online) Proactive and creative approach to identifying opportunities for events Proven organisational skills, with an ability to manage multiple priorities and plan and prioritise tasks for yourself and others Excellent communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with senior academic and industry professionals and to communicate the University's research to a broader, non-academic audience Excellent numeracy skills with an ability to manage budgets and negotiating costs to deliver value for money Strong analytical skills and proven ability to convey complex information to inform and influence decision making Commitment to high quality experiences that meet the needs and expectations of colleagues and key stakeholders Digitally literate and competent and confident in the use of relevant digital tools and packages (e.g. Microsoft Office, CMS, Adobe and/or CRM systems) Demonstrable interpersonal skills to build and maintain positive working relationships Excellent problem-solving skills and adaptability to changing circumstances Degree level or equivalent qualifications/experience in a relevant role Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly. Knowledge of the issues facing the Higher Education sector, particularly in relation to research.

Role context

Roles at this level will require expertise and a detailed understanding of methods, systems and procedures in an administrative or professional area. You will either use specialist knowledge or have more of a planning/co-ordination/project role or a role which is supervisory in nature where you may manage a team doing similar kinds of work. You will have the opportunity to exercise a high degree of personal responsibility and initiative which you will use to resolve queries; you will use your judgement to deal with unforeseen problems and circumstances, all with limited guidance/supervision.

Core competencies/transferable skills

Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully use the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown below. As appropriate for the level, our Birmingham Professionals will take ownership for getting things done. You will be expected to be flexible as required in supporting your department and wider University.



Informal enquiries to Isobel Wilson-Cleary, email: i.wilson-cleary@bham.ac.uk


View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy

.

You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone

on our website

.