Job Description

Senior Research Analytics Manager (Job Number: 26001389)

Strategic Planning & Insight Office
Grade 8: £48,337- £57,666 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Working Arrangements: At least two days on campus
Closing Date: 25-Nov-2026, 11:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and the Department

The purpose of the Strategy, Planning and Insight Department (SPIO) is to work collaboratively to help people to make effective evidence-based decisions and take forward plans and actions aligned to the University’s Strategy. The team has an excellent reputation in the sector for the quality of its work and plays an influential enabling role in relation to the long-term development of Durham University.

The Research Analytics Manager will play a critical role in providing the data insight which is required to advance Durham University’s research strategy, planning and performance. The postholder will join a team of highly skilled planning and analytics professionals in the SPIO team, and will have the opportunity to work closely with colleagues and senior staff across the institution. You will join us at an exciting time as we take forward a new University Strategy and establish impactful research and innovation initiatives at regional, national and global levels.

The Research Analytics Manager will work with complex data sets relating to multiple aspects of research performance, with citations being one key aspect of importance. You will be expected to develop practical ways of enabling insight and understanding; for example, through the development of accessible dashboards, in person dialogue and the facilitation of workshops and other meetings, including those run in partnership with Faculty leadership teams and the University’s bibliometrician.

Specific examples of areas of responsibility include institution-wide analysis of actionable areas for performance improvement; assessment of citations performance in the context of global rankings; mapping and evaluation of research strengths and opportunities, including interdisciplinary connectivity and generation of grant income; analysis of research reputation and impact; and bespoke analysis to inform the identification of potential areas of strategic development.

You will have the opportunity to support the leadership of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, and to integrate research insights with broader aspects of institutional strategy and development, including staff and financial planning. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence service delivery, events and activities within the organisation.
Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.
Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally
Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.
Proven track record of providing advanced research analytics and insights.
Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.
Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

Desirable Criteria

Expertise in PowerBI and Alteryx (or comparable dashboard design and data transformation technologies).
Expertise in using SciVal/Scopus data and research management systems such as Worktribe.
Expertise considering the key international University Rankings methodology.
Proven track record of delivering successful workshops and building engagement around data and insights.
Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What you need to submit

A CV: and
A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Richard Wistow at richard.wistow@durham.ac.uk.

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery/Development

Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
Develop and promote an in-depth understanding of university policy and external developments relevant to your role, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of external developments including research analytics, as well as sector data developments and any methodological changes in among others in Rankings data methodologies
Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met by the design, presentation and depth of insights that are carried out in services you are responsible for.
Use your professional knowledge and experience as a research analytics practitioner to resolve problems, shape processes and activities, develop systematic analytics and provide subject matter expertise and advice.
Provide specialist advice on the analysis and interpretation of complex data and information relevant to your area.
Lead the development of strategic research insights, reports and visualisation resources to be used by the University Leadership, considering key areas such as Citations, Outputs, World Rankings related analytics, and other research data (applications and awards), combining multiple datasets considering, external data (e.g. HESA, SciVal) and internal data to built a benchmarked holistic system of analytical resources.
Working jointly with Deputy Director of SPIO and Senior Planning and Forecasting Manager to create a roadmap, identifying analytical priorities as well as meaningful engagement with senior stakeholders in Faculties and Departments, providing evidence for decisions shaping departmental plans and outputs.
In collaboration with Head of BI and Senior Business Intelligence Manager to design key data lake developments and PowerBI dashboard needed to increase engagement with research analytics.
Developing practical ways of enabling insight and understanding; for example, through the development of accessible dashboards, in person dialogue and the facilitation of workshops and other meetings, including those run in partnership with Faculty leadership teams and the University’s bibliometrician.
Responsible for operational activity across provision of research insights and analytics.
Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned policies, processes and standards.
Instigate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area.
Meet the professional development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required.
Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.
Manage quality and regulatory audits of systems and procedures.
Support the welfare, wellbeing and employment of your staff by providing professional guidance.

Planning and Organisation

Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by your area
Contribute to the development of operational and strategic-level plans relevant to your area.
Scope, plan and implement large-scale/University-wide initiatives within IPP Research Planning and wider strategic rankings and reputation oversight to ensure provision of in-depth insight and evidence for understanding performance and potential recommendations.
Oversee projects to deliver agreed objectives while solving any problems which are encountered.
Provide oversight for short term/temporary project teams.
Analyse data about the service levels provided by your area and make recommendations for improvement in reports to senior managers and committees.
Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources

Communication/Liaison

Use your professional knowledge to identify and recommend priorities for long-term business plans.
Provide professional guidance and advice when managing provision of services, such as: research analytics, nuancing on data, comparisons and onwards uses in e.g. related rankings methodologies.
Design creative and innovative communications to promote and increase engagement relating to Faculty and departmental plans and outputs.
Influence University policy and standards by leading operational business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
Design and deliver training to your stakeholders to support their development and information needs.
Create strong working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and positively influence the University’s reputation.
Represent SPIO and University at promotional events.
Identify opportunities to develop and increase participation in special interest groups.
Deputise for Senior Planning and Forecasting Manager as required.
Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.

Version 07-2026

Senior Research Analytics Manager