Director of Research & Innovation
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Position Overview & Specifications
Do you have a passion for research and innovation? Are you an experienced leader with a track record of developing and implementing successful strategies? If so, UCA is seeking a Director of Research & Innovation to provide academic leadership for research and make a significant contribution to maximising the research and scholarship of staff and students.
As Director of Research & Innovation, you will lead a clear strategic vision for research and innovation that will motivate and inspire others, delivered through detailed plans and activities. You will provide senior academic leadership for research and make UCA a stimulating, ambitious and creative environment in this regard.
You will also be responsible for leading the management and development of the University’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) submissions and the University’s Knowledge Exchange Framework submissions (KEF). In addition, you will oversee and develop the University’s established Research Centres, serve as Chair of the Crafts Study Centre Management Committee, and work with the Director of the Doctoral College to ensure that the overall research environment supports the University’s Postgraduate Research Degrees programme and the supervision arrangements for students.
The Director of Research & Innovation is a member of the University Executive Group and as such will work with colleagues in the Leadership Team, Directors and Heads of Schools, and Directors of professional support departments to ensure academic excellence in line with University goals and strategy.
The successful candidate will be eligible for consideration as a professorial appointment and will hold a full-time post of 36.25 hours per week. This post is a SMT grade and reports to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
At UCA, creativity and innovation are at the heart of what we do. Our legacy of educating eager and passionate artists, makers and thinkers runs back almost 160 years, and today we’re helping shape a global future that supports and nourishes talent worldwide.
Our campuses across Surrey and Kent are vibrant communities, each specialising in different areas of the creative industries. We are also home to a thriving research hub, with academic experts and fellows leading the way in research on sustainability, design, textiles, animation, history and culture, and more.
Are you ready to share your passion for creativity with the next generation of innovators? If so, we want to hear from you.
Candidate Selection & Onboarding Process
Application & Resume Screening
Submit your tailored CV/Resume directly to the talent acquisition portal.
Technical & Competency Interviews
Virtual interviews with the hiring manager and multidisciplinary team.
Formal Offer & Benefits Negotiation
Written agreement outlining compensation, equity, retirement vesting, and relocation allowances.
Onboarding & Corporate Integration
Equipment provisioning, team orientation, and commencement of duties.
United Kingdom Right to Work & Skilled Worker Visa Guide
Employment in the United Kingdom requires legal Right to Work verified under the Home Office Points-Based Immigration System:
Sponsoring employers must hold an active Home Office A-rated Sponsor License and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Role must meet the general minimum salary threshold (£38,700) or occupation going rate.
Continuous employment under Skilled Worker status establishes eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years, leading to British Citizenship.
Candidate Preparation Blueprint: Colleges & Universities
Based on transatlantic hiring benchmarks for Director of Research & Innovation roles across University for the Creative Arts's corporate sector, successful applicants typically excel across three core dimensions:
Demonstrated portfolio evidence, architecture/system design case studies, or validated professional certifications directly applicable to Colleges & Universities.
STAR method competency responses highlighting cross-functional leadership, conflict resolution, and delivering measurable enterprise ROI under tight timelines.
Total compensation expectation aligned within the benchmarked £70,953 - £79,767 bracket, including retirement vesting and health parity.
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