RPI supports agreed University, Faculty and School priorities for research and innovation: income generation, research excellence, PGR experience, partnership development and knowledge exchange leading to income and/or impact and commercialisation of IP and student enterprise. Our focus is on delivering professional, value-add advice and support to our community of researchers and innovators. We are a well-connected team which understands the priorities of the organisation and our external stakeholders and customers and the external environment in which we operate. Team members collaborate, reflect, develop their skills and have a risk-appropriate mindset of continuous improvement to our processes, policy and approach.
The University Impact Manager role is central to helping and enabling researchers deliver impact from their research and knowledge exchange activities by raising awareness, delivering training, and supporting REF Impact Case Study development. The role also leads on training and support for the University Evidencing Impact Internship Programme.
The primary focus of this role is to:
- Work collaboratively with RPI, faculty and school colleagues who support impact to understand the development and training requirements which will enable non-academic impact
- Design and deliver general and bespoke training on all aspects of impact to researchers and professional services colleagues at all career stages, including the creation of programmes/syllabuses and online resources.
- Implement mechanisms to support impact development, evidencing and recording.
- Support the design, delivery and showcasing of impact related events and materials.
Typical deliverables will include:
- Providing a dedicated point of contact and support for designated Faculties and Faculty Impact Managers (and associated University Research Centres), making a demonstrable contribution to the drafting of impact plans/sections for funding proposals, and with the preparation of REF Impact Case Studies.
- Leading an annual programme of impact related training with appropriate evaluation and iteration for academic and professional staff and delivering events to showcase impact.
- Managing postgraduate students on the impact internship programme.
- Delivering the annual impact stocktake review process to ensure REF Impact Case Studies are identified, monitored and developed in a timely fashion.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Coordinate the provision of awareness-raising, training and resources, both in-person and online, on all aspects of impact, including the evidencing of impact, showcasing exemplars while allowing for disciplinary differences.
- Work closely with the University Impact Lead, University REF Lead, Faculty Impact Leads, and REF coordinators to disseminate key updates and information on the Engagement and Impact element of REF, and support the preparation and submission of Impact Case Studies, and the coordination of impact-related materials and narratives for the institution- and unit-level SPRE statements.
- Coordinate and support the Universityʼs regular REF impact review processes, including the annual Impact Stocktake and related exercises (e.g. evidence audits).
- Support the working of the Deputy Vice President for Innovation and the University Impact Lead on the Impact Steering Board, acting as Secretary to the Board.
- Work closely with the University Impact Lead and colleagues in MARC on all internal and external impact-related communications, including writing the quarterly impact newsletter and coordinating the creation and promotion of the portfolio of impact films.
- Lead on the design and delivery of all impact-related events, including the annual Impact Showcase.
- Maintain and regularly /update and improve the impact webpages on the Staff Hub, including its extensive suite of guidance and toolkits.
- Support and facilitate a network of Academic Impact Leads and Faculty Impact Managers, circulating information and organising workshops.
- Provide a dedicated point of contact and support for designated Faculty Impact Managers (and associated University Research Centres), including supporting the drafting of impact plans/sections for UKRI and other funder proposals, and with the preparation of REF2029 Impact Case Studies, including advising on content and style, support with drafting, and advising on evidence collection and presentation.
- Proactively seek out, analyse, and share best practice to help embed an understanding of impact using a range of communication tools.
- Provide guidance on approaches to collecting evidence to demonstrate the impact of research and knowledge exchange.
- Maintain a record of university-wide research impact activities to prepare for future research assessment exercises
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply.
A degree or equivalent professional qualification.
Experience of planning and leading projects, outlining required tasks, determining the skills and resources required to deliver the tasks and the timeframe for project deliverables.
Experience of delivering effective workshops and presentations tailored to the needs of different audiences.
Evidence both of appropriate attention to detail, but also the ability to elevate your thinking and approach to the bigger picture/objectives.
Evidence of ability to understand priorities at different levels in the organisation and to articulate RPI contribution appropriately.
Evidence that you form and maintain good professional working relationships and facilitates collaborative working practices with internal and external partners and stakeholders, demonstrating curiosity about and consideration for the needs, and views of others
Evidence that you can make a constructive and productive
contribution to both disciplinary (local) and multi-disciplinary teams with a focus on continuous improvement and user experience
Evidence that you are able to integrate, analyse and interpret information from different sources and then take a risk-based approach to provide evidence-based advice and solutions.
£38,784 - £47,389 per annum with the potential to progress to £51,753 per annum through sustained exceptional contribution
University Impact Lead, RPI
For informal enquiries about this job contact Meera Warrier [Assistant Director, Researchers and Research Culture]: on
[email protected] It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 17th and 22nd September 2026. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 7th September 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Alison Hunt on
[email protected].
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Womenʼs and Parentʼs networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- support for those going through the menopause
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
