Our Mission

Coventry University Group is a global education group with a mission of Creating Better Futures. Driven by our passion and belief that through education, equity, and innovation our students, people, and communities are empowered to transform their lives and the world around them. Our people are the key to our success and each role within the group plays a key role in shaping the world around us. 

Coventry University is achieving an unprecedented level of success. Research at the University has been transformed, with 70% of our research classed as world leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. Underpinned by significant investment, we have focused our research activity into challenge-led multi-disciplinary research centres where all our staff with significant responsibility for research are based. Our vision is to continue to enhance our position as a leading provider of innovative education and impactful research both nationally and across the world.

Research Services (RS) has a key role to play in the continued delivery of the University’s Research Strategy through providing targeted and specialist support to the University’s researchers and research leadership. The Research Excellence, Impact and Culture (REIC) team is part of RS and is responsible for the development and management of University-wide processes, systems, and governance to increase the volume and quality of its research. The team leads on the submission to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and supports the development and delivery of a thriving research culture and environment. 

The Role

The Research Excellence Officer (REO) plays a key role in supporting the University’s preparation for the next REF, contributing to the development and implementation of systems and processes to enhance research culture and optimise the University Group’s REF submission – in relation to Contribution to Knowledge and Understanding (CKU), and Strategy, People and Research Culture (SPRE). 

The Research Excellence Officer, reporting to the Research Excellence Manager, will work closely with colleagues from REIC, RS and other professional services areas such as Finance, Open Research and Scholarly Publications teams as well as the University’s research community and research leadership. 

In this role you will build and maintain networks with contacts in similar roles in other HE institutions, share best practice in relation to the management of a REF submission, and bring best practice to the University. You will also develop and maintain a high level of personal credibility as the University’s in-house REF expert, by developing and maintaining a detailed knowledge of the rules of the REF and providing authoritative, expert advice.

As a member of the REIC team, you will be expected to contribute to research excellence and REF related initiatives and training as well as to broader initiatives spanning Research Services.  

Our Successful Candidate

We are looking for a colleague who will thrive in a friendly and supportive environment and is committed to working successfully in a team. You will be able to work collaboratively and provide excellent service to colleagues at all levels across the University Group. 

This role requires strong communication and interpersonal skills. As a REO, you will have excellent written and verbal and communication skills and will be able to write for, and present to, a variety of audiences. You will be able to read and digest complex policy documents and interpret them for general use across our research community and will be able to analyse, present and interpret data to inform decision making. You will also demonstrate the ability to handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion.

You will demonstrate effective self-management skills and the ability to work towards multiple deadlines, alongside a strong attention to detail and the ability to manage a diverse workload, with multiple projects, prioritising accordingly.  

The ideal candidate will be educated to degree level or equivalent, with a good working knowledge of the higher education sector. You will have a strong understanding of research excellence and the REF, experience working with the REF and/or other internal and external regulations and frameworks is beneficial. 

The successful candidate will be required to develop and maintain specialist knowledge and excellent understanding of the REF, developing confidence to advise research leadership colleagues on the rules, as well as on the most appropriate and efficient way to meet internal and external REF-related requirements. 

It is expected that the Research Excellence Officer will support REF preparations across the full range of the University’s research areas. 

The skills required are described in further detail in the job description.

The Benefits

Along with a competitive salary we offer an industry leading Rewards and Benefits package which includes:

•    Excellent Employers Pension Contribution
•    30 days Annual leave plus Bank Holidays
•    New Holiday Purchase Scheme 
•    BUPA Cash Plan
•    50% off Tuition Fees for staff dependants
•    CU Reward Scheme – Discounts across a range of High Street/ Online Retailers
•    Cycle To Work scheme

Our Culture

As a global Education Group, equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded within the fabric of our organisation and are a key focus of our core values. We harness the power and potential of the diverse cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences of our students, colleagues, and partners to create opportunities for all.

Full Job Description & Person Specification

Click here to view the full job description and person specification