Job Description

Job Title:

Research Hub Manager

Posting Start Date:

07/08/2025

Job Id:

1417

School/Department:

Faculty of Social Sciences

Work Arrangement:

Part Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type:

Permanent

Salary per annum ():

38,249 to 46,735 (with the potential to progress to 51,039 via exceptional contributions)

Closing Date:

31/08/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.



We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

The Research Hub Manager plays a pivotal role in driving research success by providing comprehensive support for grant submissions and proposal development within an academic setting. Collaborating closely with academic staff and school leadership, this role ensures grant applications meet funder requirements, maximise success, and align with strategic institutional goals. Operating within a dedicated Hub Team supporting a group of Schools within the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Manager is also responsible for the line management and professional development of the Research Support Officer(s).



Key responsibilities include the project management of large, multi-partner proposals, drafting and reviewing non-technical proposal components such as resource justifications, and proactively advising academic staff on tailored funding opportunities. The role demands strong leadership in managing workflows, making sound decisions under pressure, and supporting internal peer review processes. Additionally, the Manager will contribute to the development and implementation of university-wide research policies and procedures, ensuring efficient and timely setup of successful grant applications.

Main duties and responsibilities

Work closely with academic staff, school leadership, and Research, Partnerships and Innovation to support grant submissions ensuring they meet university and funder requirements and have the best chances of success. Support the development of research proposals, contributing to the non-technical aspects of proposals. For example, supporting the drafting or reviewing of resource justifications. Project-manage large, strategic and multi-partner proposals including managing partner communication to ensure a successful submission. Lead team members and processes effectively, provide guidance and problem solving despite sudden deadlines and changing priorities and make sound decisions. Proactively provide tailored advice on funding opportunities to individual academic staff or research groups that is appropriate to their career level and disciplinary area. Implement and contribute to the development of Faculty and University wide systems, processes, policy and procedures related to research activity. Ensure School and Research Hub processes supporting grant submissions are effective and maximise the costs recovered. Act as first point of contact for local information collection for grant transfers into the institution working closely with Research, Partnerships and Innovation. Support successful proposals to ensure efficient and timely set up by working closely with Research, Partnerships and Innovation, Faculty Finance and School Operations teams. Support the School Directors of Research and Innovation, other key senior leaders and relevant committees by proactively advising and disseminating information. Support and coordinate internal peer review processes for grant proposals and publications. Line manage and support the professional development of the Research Support Officer(s). Maintain a good awareness of faculty disciplinary themes and/or departmental research priorities and plan workflow and resources accordingly. Represent the Hub and/or Faculty at University forums, strategic project teams, working groups and committees where required. Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Previous experience of working within research, funding, business development or impact support teams, preferably in a HEI setting.

Essential

Application/

Interview


An established track record of supporting grant application submissions to ensure grant applications meet funder requirements and have the best chances of success.

Desirable

Application/

Interview



Experience of working with a range of academic research funders (or similar) as well as industry-funded research projects, for example UK charities, UKRI, Innovate UK, and overseas funders.

Desirable

Application/

Interview


Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and the ability to think and read critically.

Essential

Application/

Interview


Highly numerate with the evidence of the ability to understand, interpret and communicate data and a good understanding of costing methodologies and pricing concepts.

Essential

Application/

Test


Evidence of skills of collaboration, networking, negotiation, persuasion, and diplomacy to develop strong and productive working relationships.

Essential

Application/

Interview


Awareness of relevant systems, policies, legislation and quality standards.

Essential

Application/

Interview


Significant experience and ability to perform effectively, managing short turnaround deadlines and changing priorities, gain control and make sound decisions under pressure.

Essential

Application/

Interview


Proven ability to assess and organise resources, provide guidance and leadership in planning and progressing work activities.

Essential

Application/

Interview


Experience of leading and developing a team of staff members.

Essential

Application/

Interview


Experience of ensuring compliance and development of regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.

Essential

Application/

Interview


Experience of developing and delivering funding related engagement activities, writing research funding briefings, organising, and promoting research networks.

Desirable

Application/

Interview

Further Information

Grade

Grade 7

Salary

38,249 to 46,735 pro-rata

(with the potential to progress to 51,039 via exceptional contributions).

Work arrangement

Part-time 60%

Line manager

Faculty Research Manager, Social Sciences

Direct reports

Research Support Officer(s)

Our website

www.sheffield.ac.uk/social-sciences


For informal enquiries about this job contact Daniel Rose, Faculty Research Manager: on daniel.rose@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on the week commencing 22nd September. This will consist of an assessment activity and interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 8th September. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Daniel Rose (daniel.rose@sheffield.ac.uk).

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

A minimum of 41days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework. A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more





We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Closing Date : 31/08/2025





We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.