Senior Impact and Engagement Manager (24001607)

The Senior Impact and Engagement Manager plays a crucial role in leading and managing the impact and engagement activities of the university. This role involves developing and implementing strategies to enhance the university's impact on society, the economy, and the environment, as well as strengthening relationships with internal stakeholders to enable the creation and capture of research impact for REF. The Senior Impact and Engagement Manager will work closely with academic staff, students, and external partners to ensure that the university's research and activities have a positive impact on various stakeholders. The post offers an exciting opportunity to work with world-leading researchers and a wide range of organisations, helping the University to demonstrate the impact of its research.

The post holder will report to the Head of BDIP and will have responsibility for a portfolio of Impact Case Studies; the majority of which will be aligned with the Faculty of Science.

The post holder will provide advice, guidance and support to academic leaders and researchers to achieve research impact that has broad reach and world-leading significance. They will also assist in capturing evidence of that impact and in compiling REF Impact Case studies. Working closely with the Faculties and the BDIP Team, the post holder will develop external relationships with partners to maximise the potential for impact building on the University's research strengths. They will be involved in a broad range of engagement activities working alongside academics to produce plans and activities that optimise impact potential. The post holder will also play a leading role in promoting a strong impact culture, developing appropriate guidance and training resources for academics to support this.

Core responsibilities:

1. Provide expert professional impact and engagement expertise.

2. Act as a recognised impact practitioner in a specialised area, shaping activities, processes, and systems.

3. Support REF impact case studies across various areas, particularly within the science faculty or interdisciplinary projects with a strong science component.

4. Oversee short-term or temporary project teams, taking responsibility for decision-making when necessary.

5. Engage with key stakeholders and internal/external partners to influence opinions, delivery, and service reputation.

6. Serve as a specialist point of contact for impact, managing complex data, information sources, interpretation, and analysis.

7. Contribute significantly to scoping and resource planning for interdisciplinary research activities involving external partners at operational and strategic levels.

8. Lead project scoping, initiation, planning, and implementation for large-scale initiatives or university-wide projects.

9. Design and deliver training sessions for impact to enhance the development and learning of others outside the team.

10. Lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of policies, quality standards, procedures, and systems for effective operations and continuous improvement.

11. Promote organisational policy understanding and stay informed about external developments.

12. Implement review and improvement procedures to enhance departmental services' efficiency and effectiveness.

13. Ensure accurate and timely accounting of all activities, processes, and transactions to meet regulatory and professional standards.

14. Establish processes to manage the integrity and security of commercially sensitive, professionally sensitive, and personal data.

15. Lead internal meetings, working groups, and sub-committees to influence governance, organisational policy, and service standards.

Specific role requirements

The post holder is expected to work closely with colleagues across RIS and especially the PSP team. The successful candidate is expected to build good working relations with and knowledge of the University across academic areas and professional services, to be able to judge when there are essential and beneficial interactions between their work and that of others., We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.,

• Develop and promote an in-depth understanding of university policy and external developments relevant to your role.


• Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met by activities, processes and transactions that are carried out in services you are responsible for.


• Use your professional knowledge and experience as a area or discipline practitioner to resolve problems, shape processes and activities, develop systems and provide subject matter expertise and advice.


• Provide specialist advice on the analysis and interpretation of complex data and information relevant to your area.


• Responsible for operational activity across different areas.


• Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned policies, processes and standards.


• Instigate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area.


• Meet the professional development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required.


• Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.


• Manage quality and regulatory audits of systems and procedures.


• Support the welfare, wellbeing and employment of your staff by providing professional guidance.


Planning and Organisation

• Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by your area


• Contribute to the development of operational and strategic level plans relevant to your area.


• Scope, plan and implement large scale/University wide initiatives.


• Oversee projects to deliver agreed objectives while solving any problems which are encountered.


• Provide oversight for short term/temporary project teams.


• Analyse data about the service levels provided by your area and make recommendations for improvement in reports to senior managers and committees.


• Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources


Communication/Liaison

• Use your professional knowledge to identify and recommend priorities for long-term business plans.


• Provide professional guidance and advice when managing complaints, referrals and specialist services.


• Design creative and innovative communications to promote and increase engagement relating to RIS.


• Influence University policy and standards by leading operational business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.


• Design and deliver training to your stakeholders to support their development and information needs.


• Create strong working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and positively influence the University's reputation.


• Represent RIS and University at promotional events.


• Identify opportunities to develop and increase participation in special interest groups


• Any other reasonable duties.
  
  1. Strategic Vision to identify opportunities, set goals, and develop plans to drive impact and engagement initiatives effectively within Durham University.


2. Strong leadership skills to inspire and motivate teams, guide decision-making processes, and drive collaboration among stakeholders to achieve common goals.

3. The ability to analyse data, assess impact metrics, and interpret information effectively for maximum impact.

4. Building and maintaining strong internal and external relationships and effective communication, negotiation, and networking skills.

5. The ability to adapt to changing circumstances, navigate complexity, and overcome challenges whilst remaining flexible, 1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2. Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence service delivery, events and activities within the organisation
3. Professional impact and engagement practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise used to influence events and activities within the organisation
4. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
5. Evidence of successful delivery of projects from conception to completion.
6. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University's reputation.
7. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.
8. Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally
9. Proven IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office
10. Continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
11. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines
12. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.
13. Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships, to influence perceptions of the University.
14. Evidence of working with academics and partners in industry, business, public and third sector partners to facilitate research or knowledge transfer.
15. Experience of working with scientific research and identifying and realising routes to impact.
16. Experience of delivering activity in support of the Higher Education Impact agenda

Desirable Criteria
1. A relevant postgraduate or professional qualification.

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Durham University

The Role and Department

Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development.

The Business Development, Impact and Partnerships (BDIP) team at Durham University is a dynamic and proactive team dedicated to fostering collaborations between the university and external partners in the business, industry, and innovation sectors. With a focus on driving economic growth, knowledge exchange, and commercialisation of research, the BDIP team plays a key role in connecting academia with industry to support innovation and entrepreneurship. By facilitating partnerships, developing strategic initiatives, and providing expert guidance, the BDIP team at Durham University is instrumental in embedding impact at the forefront of all activities and translating research excellence into real-world impact and driving positive change in the regional and global innovation ecosystem. Join us at BDIP and be part of a team that is shaping the future of business, innovation, and collaboration at Durham University.

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:


• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year.


• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.


• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS).


• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.


• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.


• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.


• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.


• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).


• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community


• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.


• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.


• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.


Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.