Head of University Insight

Head of University Sector Insight Research England Salary: £58,589 | Closing date: 19th July 2026 Contract Type:
Fixed-term contract (6 months)

Hours:

Full-time

Location:

Westward House, Lime Kiln Close, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8SR
Help shape the future of research and innovation in England . At Research England, we work at the heart of England's research and higher education system. By funding, engaging with, and understanding higher education providers (HEPs), we create the conditions for world-class research and knowledge exchange to thrive. Our ambition is to enable English HEPs to play a central role in driving economic growth, improving lives, and addressing society's biggest challenges.

We support institutions to deliver research with transformational real-world impact, develop the highly skilled workforce needed for a modern research and development (R&D)-intensive economy, and strengthen the UK's position as a global leader in research, innovation, and international collaboration. Purpose This is a key role in the Research England (RE) Insight and Engagement Team (I&E) you will have a strong understanding of the research and innovation system in the higher education sector, including university operations, governance, finances, and the political and policy environment in which they operate.

You will deploy this to develop innovative approaches to the definition, measurement, and analysis of the health of the research and innovation (R&I) system in England. You will lead on the interpretation and transformation of a wide variety of quantitative and qualitative evidence into insights for use within Research England and UKRI, but also for external partner agencies, including government.

You will engage fully in policy discussion including with internal senior management and national and HE sector policy makers to problem-solve, understand, and interpret implications in setting long-term policy. You will be expected to lead on policy and data analysis, drawing on the expertise of relevant internal and external experts. You will also work on other projects within the scope of the Insight and Engagement team, but primarily on the analysis of data and intelligence to better understand the health of the university sector, working closely with the Director and Associate Director of I&E, the Head of Financial Sustainability, and the Head of Engagement.

Specifically, this will involve the provision of evidence for Research England and senior partner organisations, including government, to understand the impact of national and international policy decisions, including understanding how our investment enables and supports a healthy, dynamic, diverse, and inclusive sector. The postholder will also have line management responsibility for one or more Policy or Senior Policy Advisors. Main outputs and activities Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of, and act as an authoritative source of, advice on higher education and wider fiscal policy that affects the health of research and innovation in English higher education providers.

Working with colleagues across the I&E team and throughout RE and UKRI, lead on identifying the information we need and the range of activities we need to undertake in order to contribute to the development of a nuanced understanding of the R&I system in the HE sector in real time, identifying evidence gaps and policy needs. Interpretation of analysis with the ability to distil key points for a range of audiences.

Lead on policy on, and delivery of, methods and processes for defining, assessing, and monitoring the health of the university sector. Supporting senior colleagues on the development of recommendations on how Research Englands policy objectives can be addressed, taking into consideration availability of appropriate evidence and institutional burden. Give presentations and lead discussions at external meetings relating to HE evidences and policy.

Make a significant contribution to effective relations with HE institutions and sector bodies, communicating policy decisions, data analysis and answering queries and liaising with the analytical services directorate over data issues. Contribute to briefing and advice to Government/DSIT and senior RE and UKRI staff, taking a leading role in areas of analysis and evidence. Act as the main point of contact for queries from the sector on matters in relation to the health of the university sector.

Line management responsibility for one or more Policy or Senior Policy Advisors. Assess, use and present accurately complex quantitative evidence in policy development. Contribute to design and delivery of new data and evidence, including through contributing to policy work with teams within RE and UKRI, but also external partners such as DSIT, DfE, the Office for Students and the devolved funding bodies.

Work as part of the team to assist with consideration of evidence and analysis to inform research and evaluation and monitoring of the…