Senior Research Impact Facilitator

University of Hertfordshire - OVC / Research and Enterprise Services

FTE: 0.8 - 1.0 FTE (working 29.6 – 37 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Permanent

Salary: UH8 £46,049pa to £58,225pa (pro rata) by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience

Annual Leave: 30 days pro rata plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Are you passionate about driving research impact and supporting academic excellence? We are seeking a Senior Research Impact Facilitator to join our central Impact Team and play a pivotal role in preparing for REF2029. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the systems, processes, and culture that underpin impactful research across the University.

You will work closely with the Head of Research Excellence, managing a team of Research Impact Facilitators and supporting researchers in developing high-quality impact case studies. Your experience and expertise will help embed long-term impact strategies and foster collaboration across departments.

At the University of Hertfordshire, we are a values-led organisation committed to friendliness, ambition, collaboration, enterprise, and student success. We offer a supportive and inclusive environment where staff are empowered to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Main duties and responsibilities

We are looking for an experienced individual who can manage the Impact Facilitation team, overseeing workload, development, and performance and provide expert advice on research impact and REF2029 requirements. You will project manage the development of impact case studies for REF2029 and maintain a database of potential submissions. This role also requires you to design and deliver training programmes and guidance for academic and research staff and support internal impact funding schemes and liaise with external stakeholders and editors. Providing strategic reports and policy advice to senior leadership is also part of this role.

Skills and experience required

You will be an experienced professional with a strong understanding of research impact within higher education. You’ll bring excellent interpersonal and project management skills, and be confident working independently and collaboratively, managing multiple priorities, and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.

You will have proven experience in developing research impact and REF impact case studies, along with strong writing, editing and communication skills. You will have experience in line management and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications required

A degree or equivalent professional experience is essential for this role.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal.

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries:

Charlotte Holloway – Head Research Impact c.holloway2@herts.ac.uk

Closing Date: 01 December 2025

Interview Date: 09 December 2025

Reference Number: REQ000315

Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts