Assistant Director (EU and International) - Internal Applications Only

Research and Innovation Services provides support and services for our academics working across the research and innovation lifecycle with a focus on applying for and managing funding and providing professional advice on collaborations and contracts. The Directorate is composed of five teams; Award Services, Contract Services, Planning, Insight and Improvement, Compliance and Assurance, and the Joint Research Office, who all work together to deliver a service to support, advise and provide expertise to our academic community for our extensive and varied portfolio of externally funded projects. Award Services provides a range of specialist advice to UCL's externally funded research and innovation portfolio throughout the research project lifecycle, supporting grant applications, pre- award approvals, research grant management and funding assurance. The service is delivered in partnership with academic and professional services colleagues across UCL, collaborating organisations, and funders. About the role As Assistant Director of Award Services (EU and International), you will lead the delivery, development and continuous improvement of UCL's support service for European and international research and innovation funding activity. This is a strategically important leadership role within RIS, responsible for ensuring UCL researchers and innovators receive a high-quality, responsive and integrated service that supports the university's global research ambitions. Reporting to the Director of Award Services, you will lead the continued development and embedding of specialist support for European and international funding programmes, ensuring services remain agile, effective and aligned with RIS strategic priorities and the evolving international funding landscape. You will oversee service performance across a complex and varied portfolio, developing meaningful service measures and driving improvements that enhance efficiency, consistency and stakeholder experience. You will act as a senior point of expertise and escalation for complex service issues, proactively identifying and managing risks relating to compliance, resourcing and stakeholder engagement. Working collaboratively across RIS and the wider institution, you will contribute to the development and implementation of policies, processes and guidance that support effective international research management and ensure UCL remains responsive to changes in funder requirements, regulation and external policy developments. The role will involve building and maintaining strong relationships with Faculties, Departments and Professional Services colleagues, alongside representing UCL externally within the international research funding environment. You will develop networks across academic institutions, funders and research management associations, contributing to sector discussions, gathering intelligence and ensuring emerging developments are effectively communicated and embedded across the institution. You will also lead and develop a specialist team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement. This includes developing capability across complex funder and regulatory environments, supporting professional development and ensuring the team is well-equipped to deliver an excellent service within a fast-moving and evolving international research landscape. Please note that this opportunity is open to applications from internal UCL staff members only.

You will bring substantial operational experience within a research and innovation environment, alongside excellent knowledge and understanding of the European and international research funding landscape. You will have significant experience working within complex organisational settings, with a strong track record of building and managing relationships with senior stakeholders, influencing decision-making and providing expert advice across a broad range of audiences. You will be an experienced and credible leader, with proven success managing high-performing teams, leading change initiatives and driving continuous service improvement within deadline-driven environments. You will have experience implementing policy, process and service enhancements, alongside developing meaningful performance measures to monitor and evaluate service delivery. Comfortable operating across organisational boundaries, you will be highly collaborative and skilled at developing integrated approaches that improve operational effectiveness and stakeholder experience. You will possess strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with the ability to navigate complex issues, manage risk effectively and develop innovative, practical solutions within a multi-funder environment. You will be an excellent communicator, able to present complex information clearly and persuasively through reports, presentations and stakeholder engagement activities, including to non-specialist audiences. You will also demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusion, collaboration and continuous learning, with the credibility and judgement to operate effectively within a complex and evolving international research environment.

UCL is a world-leading research-intensive university, often ranked in the top ten in the world, with an annual turnover of well over £1 billion. Our research and innovation portfolio continues to grow in scale and complexity, with record levels of research income and impact achieved last year.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/ Available documents