Ref Number B09-01168
Professional Expertise Research and Research Support Department
Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement) (B09)
Location: London
Working Pattern: Full time
Salary: See advert text
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Type: Hybrid
Available for Secondment: No
Closing Date: 15-Jan-2025
About us
UCL, London’s Global University, is one of the world’s leading research-intensive institutions, consistently ranked among the top ten universities worldwide. With an annual turnover exceeding £1 billion, UCL is a dynamic environment where ambitious research and innovation thrive. Our Research and Innovation Services (RIS) directorate plays a central role, supporting our academic community in securing funding, managing projects, and fostering collaborative partnerships. Within RIS, the Contract Services team draft, review and negotiate contracts relating to research and innovation, ensuring that contractual terms align with UCL’s policies, regulatory standards, and the requirements of our funding partners.
Research and innovation contracting is called out in the UCL Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027. As such, investment is in place for an exciting programme of change which is driving improvements across UCL’s contracting service. Therefore, it is a great time to be joining Contract Services to lead the team, support the embedding of changes and continue to drive further change in support of UCL’s strategic change agenda.
About the role
Please note the salary for this role is circa 115k.
We are seeking an experienced Director of Contract Services to lead a dedicated team in providing a high-quality, value-driven contracts service that supports UCL’s research and innovation. As Director, you will oversee the effective management of all contract-related activities within the Contract Services team, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and seamless service delivery. A member of the RIS senior leadership team, you will shape and integrate UCL’s contracting strategy, simplify processes, and foster collaboration across UCL’s key contracting partners.
In this role, you will also be responsible for actively engaging with a range of critical stakeholders to foster a collaborative and service-oriented environment. You will ensure the integration of contracting services across teams, removing siloes and promoting collaboration.
About you
You will bring a strong track record of strategic leadership and an understanding of contract management, ideally within a research-intensive environment or similarly complex institution. Known for your people-focused approach, you lead with emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, creating a positive, stable team culture. Skilled in relationship management, you will build and sustain strong relationships with critical stakeholders across UCL to deliver a collaborative, user-focused service.
You are a data-informed decision-maker, experienced in supporting and developing a team to operate with a service mindset. You are skilled at using data to drive service enhancements and operational efficiency and are a champion of a culture of continuous improvement.
While a legal qualification is desirable, extensive experience in contract oversight and regulatory compliance is essential. You also bring a strategic view, aligning team activities with UCL’s long-term vision for research excellence and innovation, and, ideally, have experience with digital systems to optimize service delivery.
If you are ready to lead a transformative, high-impact service at one of the world’s top universities and play a pivotal role in advancing UCL’s research success, we encourage you to apply.
Interviews are scheduled to be held on:
1st interviews: 28th January
2nd interviews: 10th February
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
* 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holiday, and 6 closure days).
* Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme.
* Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE).
* Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan.
* Relocation scheme for certain posts.
* On-site gym.
* Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay.
* Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
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