Executive Chair - Research England

Executive Chair – Research England

Salary: £160,000 - £170,000 (based on experience) plus an opportunity for performance related pay.

Contract: This role is offered on a permanent, open-ended basis. Whilst offered on a permanent basis, we would consider secondments. Should you wish to apply on a seconded basis please make this clear in your application.

Hours: Full time

Location: Bristol, Swindon or London. Please note, this role includes regular travel to sites across the UK and international travel on occasion.

Nature of appointment: This is a ministerial appointment made by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. The post-holder would be an office-holder and an employee of UKRI.

Availability: Successful candidate/s will be encouraged to take up their appointment as soon as possible, following the successful completion of pre-appointment checks and security clearance.

Closing date: Sunday 30th August 2026 at 23:55

Research England is responsible for investing in research and knowledge exchange in higher education institutions across England. It shapes the conditions for a vibrant, globally competitive research and innovation system that supports national prosperity, societal advancement, and the public good.

Overall, Research England invests over £2bn a year across a range of different programmes. In addition, they operate funding programs UK-wide and collaborate closely with partners in the Devolved Administrations.

Areas of responsibility include implementing the UK’s Research Excellence Framework; leading work on the sustainability of the research sector in England; and supporting the translation of R&D from Universities into economic and wider societal impact. To date, this has included a range of major programs such as the UK wide Research Partnership Investment Fund, the Higher Education Innovation Fund, and coordinating the Knowledge Exchange Framework.

The Executive Chair of Research England will be a dynamic and inspirational leader who will spearhead research excellence and knowledge exchange across England’s higher education institutions as well as taking the lead on various UK-wide initiatives.

As the Executive Chair of Research England, they will lead a dedicated team of over 100 people across multiple locations. In addition, they will work closely with the Research England Council and take overall responsibility for setting the strategic vision for Research England as well as contributing to the direction of UKRI. As a visible and credible leader, the Executive Chair will have a significant role in championing UKRI's relationships across the Higher Education sector, the other UK Higher Education funding bodies, as well as the Office for Students.

As a member of UK Research and Innovation’s Executive Committee, the Executive Chair of Research England will be accountable to, and work closely with, the UKRI CEO and the wider Executive Committee, contributing to the collective leadership of the wider organisation. Research England’s Executive Chair will also be responsible for leading and delivering one or more cross cutting areas for UK Research and Innovation.

UKRI’s nine Executive Chairs have two overarching responsibilities. Firstly, they are responsible for the outcomes delivered within their domain. To achieve this, Executive Chairs have delegated responsibility and accountability for a budget set through recommendations to the Secretary of State from the UKRI Board, which is in turn advised by the UKRI Executive Committee.

They have freedom to operate to deliver this budget through their council, including through collaborative programmes with other councils, aligned with the UKRI Strategy. Executive Chairs will harness strategic insight they gain from their Council’s Council and by sustaining senior relationships across the research and innovation system.

At the same time, as members of the UKRI Executive Committee, Executive Chairs have a responsibility for the health and vibrancy of the entire UK research and innovation system, recommending strategy to the UKRI Board. This includes collective…