Research and Innovation Office
Full Time, Open ended, Hybrid
Join us and be part of a vibrant community at Loughborough University.
Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for:
Thank you for your interest in this pivotal role at Loughborough University. If successful, you will join us at a time of significant transformation and ambition in our research and innovation (R&I) portfolio.
We are now recruiting a Deputy Director of the Research and Innovation Office, with in-depth knowledge of the research and innovation landscape and a particular focus on integrity, compliance and risk, to help drive this agenda forward. Working closely with both of us, you will be a skilled and experienced professional service leader, able to shape services, motivate teams, and influence stakeholders to maximise opportunities for Loughborough.
The Deputy Director will be expected to support delivery of a high-performing service which can work across functions and across the institution to support new and exciting opportunities. You will help develop an agile service that is well-connected across academic schools and professional services to ensure that the University is able to plan strategically and be well-positioned to take advantage of opportunities. You will build on the existing structure to create an office which is best in class, valued by academic colleagues and senior staff internally as well as our external partners, for its expertise, guidance and support.
The University is looking for an outstanding professional to lead and manage a number of RIO teams with responsibilities spanning Research & Innovation Operations, Post Award Finance and Reporting, Contracts, Trusted Research, Ethics & Integrity and HTA compliance, and who can gain the respect and trust of the community and of our external partners, collaborators, funders and customers. You will be an inspirational leader with expertise across the research and innovation landscape.
You will have demonstrated the ability to lead large professional service teams and deliver significant, institutional-level activity successfully. You will also have a proven track-record of delivering change and service improvement against key deliverables whilst motivating colleagues in a culture of continuous improvement.
These are exciting times for Research and Innovation at Loughborough, and we look forward to receiving your application.
Why should you Apply?
With huge amount of variety in the role, there is an opportunity for you to develop and continually grow.
If this sounds like the right place, team and role for you please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
Informal enquiries should be directed to Jenni Johnson, Director of Research and Innovation, via email to [email protected].
For more information on the role please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.
Applications closing date: 10 September 2026
Psychometric testing: between 1-5 October 2026
Interview Date: 9 October 2026
Our Benefits
At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:
Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme
Where you work – access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Financial wellbeing – competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities
Support for you and those close to you - through our range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.
Health and wellbeing – discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support
Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting
Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.
