Senior Research Development Manager

Brighton, UK

Full-time considered up to a maximum of 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours) Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need).

Grade 8 starting at £47,389 to £56,535 per annum, pro rata if part time.

Fixed Term Contract

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in leading one of the Research Development Faculty facing teams within Research and Innovation Services (RIS). The Team provides advice and professional support to the University's academic staff in their pursuit of research and knowledge exchange funding. This post will lead one of the Research Development and Initiatives Teams and support the development of a successful portfolio of research awards which includes:

• Line managing the Team providing Academic facing support to deliver high quality and effective research support service which provide professional support for the planning, development and delivery of high-quality research and knowledge exchange applications.
• Responsible for oversight of award acceptance, review of relevant contract terms and coordination of contract negotiation and any associated due diligence, sanctions and export license checks.
• Identifying and updating processes and procedures in the delivery of support to stakeholders. In particular to enhance the quality and financial sustainability of research proposals.

About you

You will work across RIS and professional services divisions to draw in expertise as necessary in the delivery of their work. You will have the skills to manage your own workload and step into advise and support colleagues when needed. You will both offer and seek creative solutions and be an effective communicator. You will represent the University externally with key stakeholders.

About our Division

The Research and Innovation Division is leading developer of ideas and innovations that contributes to the Global Community. We contribute to new knowledge, ideas, and solutions. This leads to real change in the world and makes a difference in our lives.

Our Strategy focuses on People, Research Strengths, Interdisciplinarity, Integrity, Grant Capture, and International Reputation. Last year alone we submitted 800 bids and accepted 247 awards.

Why work here

Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.

Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it's our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion.

Further Key Information

Please contact Sarah McDonald ) for informal enquiries.

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.

Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role has been assigned the SOC code of 2439 Business, research and administrative professionals not elsewhere classified and sponsorship is only possible as below;

If the successful candidate's initial Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) was issued before 4 April 2024, then the salary requirement of the SOC code is £43,200 which means that the salary of the post at Grade 8.1 would meet the salary requirement for sponsorship.

However if the successful candidate's initial CoS was issued after that date or if they're a new applicant, then the salary requirement of the SOC code is £56,600. This means that the successful candidate would need to use tradeable points, provided they are eligible, to lower the salary requirement. Whether the post is sponsorable then depends on the individual circumstances, as well as the offered salary.

November 27, 2025 5:59 PM

Thursday 11 December 2025, In Person

05 January 2026

Fixed Term for 12 Months.