King's College London

About Us

King’s College London is one of the top 10 UK universities in the world (QS World Rankings 2024) and is internationally renowned for its teaching and research excellence. The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine is a vibrant and diverse community of academics, researchers, and professional services staff working together to deliver world-class education and impactful research. Our faculty spans a wide range of disciplines, from fundamental biomedical sciences to clinical and translational research, and is committed to improving health outcomes locally and globally.

We are proud of our inclusive and collaborative culture, where innovation, integrity, and impact are at the heart of everything we do. Join us and be part of a team that is shaping the future of health and medicine. 

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Research Operations Manager to join our Faculty Management Services team. This pivotal role will provide strategic and operational leadership in support of the faculty’s research agenda, with a particular focus on research impact and preparation for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029.

The post holder will work closely with the Head of Research Operations, the Vice Dean (Research & Impact), and other senior stakeholders to coordinate and optimise the faculty’s REF submission. This includes advising on research impact, managing complex data, and ensuring compliance with institutional and sector-wide policies. The role holder will also play a key role in developing and promoting a portfolio of impactful research case studies that highlight the faculty’s contributions to society.

The successful candidate will have substantial experience in research operations within the UK Higher Education sector, excellent analytical and communication skills, and a strong understanding of research impact and assessment. The successful applicant will be confident working with data systems, leading projects, and representing the faculty at university-wide committees and external networks.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of one of the UK’s leading research faculties and to support the delivery of high-quality, impactful research that makes a real difference.

This is a full time role (35 hours per week) and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. Extensive experience and qualifications relevant to the post, with clear progression of seniority and expertise 
2. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to produce concise written material and reports for a range of audiences 
3. Substantial knowledge and experience of the UK Higher Education Research landscape, especially of Research Excellence framework and research impact
4. Significant demonstrable experience of operating at a strategic level; able to contribute meaningfully to discussion and planning
5. Excellent analytical and numerical skills; a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
6. Demonstrable evidence of working on own initiative to clear criteria, ensuring compliance using negotiating skills and effective but diverse communication methods
7. Experience of organising, supporting and playing a key part in committees, working groups and professional networks
8. Excellent organisational and time management skills to meet multiple deadlines and manage a constant and varied portfolio of responsibilities
9. Understanding of methodologies for developing and maximising research impact

Desirable criteria

1. Experience of leading a service
2. Familiarity with HR processes and policy around equality
3. Editorial experience with a keen eye for detail, including experience of writing, copy editing and formatting documents, newsletters, reports or other written material for internal and external audiences.

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further Information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

Interviews are due to be held on 1st August.