Senior Governance and Risk Manager

Senior Governance and Risk Manager - Research England

Salary:45272 per annum
Hours:Full time / job share considered
Contract type:Open Ended
Location:Westward House Bristol
Grade:UKRI band E
Positions available:1
Closing Date: 12/10/25

Organisational Information

UK Researchand Innovation (UKRI) brings together nine organisations to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation and a vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at.

Research Englandis one of the nine councils within UKRI set up in April 2018. As a key component of the research funding system Research England oversees UKRIs England-only functions in relation to university research and knowledge exchange (KE). This includes providing grant funding to English universities for research and KE activities; developing and implementing the Research Excellence Framework (REF) in partnership with the UK Higher Education funding bodies; overseeing the sustainability of the Higher Education research base in England; overseeing the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF); and administering the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). Research England aims to create and sustain the conditions for a healthy and dynamic research and KE system in English universities. It works closely with its counterparts in the Devolved Administrations.

For more information about Research England please visithttps:// Information

Research Englands Operations Team is a small team that brings together operational activities and supports Research Englands Chief Operating Officer in the leadership management and delivery of operational matters.

Working within the Governance team the postholder will directly contribute to the delivery of Research Englands strategic aims and objectives by supporting activities across a variety of areas including but not limited to governance risk and information governance.

You will act as an important interface between internal and external colleagues and partners at all levels. You will ensure that all work is delivered to a high standard and in a timely manner maintaining confidentiality. You will have exceptional attention to detail and ensure accuracy is upheld.

Purpose

To provide high quality support on governance risk and information governance matters to Research England working collaboratively with Research England colleagues and with UKRI colleagues within the Governance Risk and Information Governance so doing developing and demonstrating a thorough understanding of research and knowledge exchange in the higher education sector and the political and organisational context within which Research England and UKRI operate.

Youwill work effectively with colleagues across Research England as well as other areas of UKRI and will engage with colleagues to share practice and improve overall effectiveness. Adept at team working but also able to work with considerable personal drive and autonomy. Be effective at working across the organisation to deliver required outcomes and also to improve the outcomes of the work of colleagues. Confident indealings with all partners; will be capable of keeping a very level head in challenging fast-changing situations; and will be able to prioritise well to meet deadlines.

Main Outputs and Activities

Governance

• Manage implementation of the Research England Governance Framework.
• Coordinate the cyclical review of the effectiveness of the Executive Group and Council.
• Manage the induction programme for and onboarding of new Research England Council members.
• Manage Research England gifts and hospitality declaration process.
• Manage the conflict of interest process for the Executive Group and Council including conducting an annual review of conflicts of interest.
• Develop and implement relevant governance risk and information governance guidance and processes ensuring alignment with wider UKRI policies.
• Promote these processes and guidance ensuring colleagues are engaged with and adhering to them.
• Contribute to the effective implementation of the Research England risk management framework including maintaining the strategic risk register managing the operational risk management framework and collation of risk reports for the Executive Group and Council.
• Manage implementation of the Research England risk maturity action plan.
• Coordinate the Research England Executive Accountability Exercise.
• Manage implementation of the Research England risk training plan.

Risk

Information Management

• Have a thorough understanding of Data Protection legislation and its applicability to Research England operations including exemptions/derogations from the EU General Data Protection Regulation.
• Coordinate responses to complaints Freedom of Information requests Environmental Information Regulations requests Subject Access Requests information requests and other requests.
• Conduct an annual review of the Research England Information Asset Register.

Other

• Lead manage or support other tasks as are commensurate with the role.

Reporting lines

• Line managed by Head of Governance and Risk.
• There are currently no line management responsibilities associated with this role.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S) Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential:

• Asuccessful track record in governance with significant recent experience in UK law. (S&I)
• Experience of providing a successful Secretariat function. (S)
• Information governance experience and/or expertise.(S&I)
• Experience of developing and maintaining robust operational guidance and processes. (S&I)
• An ability to communicate in a succinct engaging accurate and convincing way producing materials that are straightforward and clearly articulated for external and internal audiences as appropriate. (S&I)
• Proven strength in stakeholder management with the ability to build effective relationships with people of all levels both internally and externally. (S&I)
• Excellent listening influencing and negotiating skills including influencing senior leaders and external stakeholders and negotiating to achieve optimal outcomes. (I)
• Excellent organisational skills.(S&I)
• Attention to detail with an ability to produce work with a high level of accuracy.(S&I)
• Ability to adapt to changing demands and conditions and a readiness to make decisions take the initiative and originate action.(S&I)
• Ability to innovate and challenge established thinking in self and others and to offer insights and ideas with practical application coupled with the ability to drive change. (S&I)
• Ability to operate with political understanding and sense in a complex environment of change and uncertainty. (S&I)
• Awareness of continuous improvement techniques.(S&I)
• An understanding of how a public sector policy or funding organisation operates.(S)
• Graduate or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience.(S)

Desirable:

• Experience of risk management. (S)
• Interest and understanding of higher education research and knowledge exchange policy. (S)

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! Were committed to supporting employees development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
• 30 days annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
• Employee assistance programme providing confidential help and advice
• Flexible working options

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

As an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer UKRI is proud to have created a workplace where everyone can thrive and achieve their full potential. This ensures that all employees regardless of their background or circumstances have equal access to opportunities and resources within the organization.

Please note if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK as part of your sponsorship application you and any dependants travelling with you will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information please visit or contact

How to apply:

Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role.

A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.