Location: Life and Mind Building, Oxford
Salary: £50,067 - £59,396 per annum, including Oxford University Weighting
Contract: Full Time, 6 months fixed term contract with a possible extension / Secondment opportunity will be considered
About Us
The University of Oxford offers a stimulating and inspiring environment in which to work, with an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a vital role in tackling global challenges, from reducing carbon emissions to developing life-saving vaccines. Combining a rich history with a strong commitment to innovation, Oxford offers an exceptional environment in which to develop your career.
Research Services is part of the University Administration and Services (UAS) division and works in partnership with academic divisions, departments, and faculties. It has a broad remit to support the University’s researchers by providing expertise, strategic insight, research funding acquisition, contract negotiation, and innovation and engagement initiatives.
The post is based within the Innovation and Engagement Directorate which provides support for a wide range of Innovation and Engagement activities across the University, including engagement and partnerships with the public, private and third sectors, both national and international, enterprise and entrepreneurship, and the development of Oxford’s innovation ecosystem
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced manager with strong evaluation and insight skills to help shape the Insight & Governance team at an important moment in its development as Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager, within Innovation & Engagement. Working closely with the Head of Operations & Delivery, you will operationalise the team’s strategic direction and manage the day-to-day delivery of its work; playing a key role in turning evidence into insight, learning and action across the University’s innovation, engagement and impact (IEI) activity. You will lead the development and delivery of MEL frameworks and projects for IEI activity, oversee relevant institutional reporting and governance activity, and help translate evaluation findings based on quantitative and qualitative data into practical recommendations that inform organisational learning, strategic decision-making and continuous improvement. You will also line manage members of the team, build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across the University and beyond, and ensure the team’s work is coherent, evidence-led and delivered to a high standard.
About You
You will be an experienced manager with strong monitoring, evaluation and learning skills and a track record of developing, managing and delivering projects and programmes in a complex organisation. You will be confident designing MEL approaches such as theories of change and logic models, and creating quantitative and qualitative tools to gather evidence on outcomes and impact. Importantly, your experience will include using evidence to generate insight, communicate learning and support decision-making at an institutional level. An effective communicator and relationship-builder, you will be comfortable working with senior colleagues and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, able to synthesise complex information for non-specialist audiences and translate evaluation findings into practical improvements. You will be organised, collaborative and able to balance strategic thinking with effective day-to-day delivery, while supporting colleagues to develop and succeed. Familiarity with higher education institutional reporting, such as KEF or HE-BCI, will also be important.
What We Offer
Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:
- 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 5 extra days and additional leave after long service.
- One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
- A commitment to hybrid and flexible working.
- An excellent contributory pension scheme.
- Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
- Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.
Application Process
To apply, please upload:
- A covering letter/supporting statement
- Your CV
- The details of two referees
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 23 November.