Director of the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit, Professor of Social Policy

The Department of Sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University is one of the largest in the UK; with 85 members of staff and over 1500 students across all levels. We deliver undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy.

The Department is both teaching- and research-intensive, with a strong focus on applied, empirical social science. Our success in achieving above sector student satisfaction demonstrates our commitment to excellent, student-centred learning.

The department is home to several research centres, including the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit, the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies, and the Drugs Policy and Social Change unit. We are also nationally recognised for our innovative approach to quantitative methods and data literacy via our Q-Step Centre.  In the REF21 we were rated top 15 for research power in both UoA20 and UoA21; our research is impactful, interdisciplinary and socially engaged. This role will be based in the Policy, Evaluation and Research Unit. 

The Role

The department is looking to appoint a Professor of Social Policy who will also be Director of the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit, and take a leadership role in the Masters of Public Administration.

The Policy Evaluation and Research Unit is a highly successful multi-disciplinary team of evaluators, economists, sociologists and criminologists. Established for over 15 years it has created a strong national and international reputation for evaluation and applied research. The postholder will guide the next stage of PERU’s development including working with the PERU management group, the Head of Department and other key decision-makers in the Faculty to deliver PERU’s strategy. This role includes line management of other Professors in the Group and overall governance responsibilities for all of PERU’s portfolio of projects, many of which are large, international projects involving multiple partners and stakeholders.

You will also develop an internationally significant portfolio of work in social policy in one or more of following sectors: poverty and work, social care, education, criminal justice or housing and homelessness.

About You

You will bring significant experience of winning and managing large, complex social policy projects including evaluations and applied research, as well as an international reputation for social policy research. You’ll have significant experience of leadership in public bodies, perhaps gained through periods of time spent in senior leadership roles or through significant advisory and governance roles in public bodies.

Essential Skills

• A good first degree together with a PhD in a relevant discipline or equivalent qualifications/experience
• Strong leadership and organisational skills required to lead, manage and motivate a research team, train and mentor staff staff, postgraduate researchers and students.
• International leading research profile and recognised as an esteemed and influential authority in the field.
• Evidence of generating grant or contract income and outputs appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribution to the development of the relevant discipline, showing impact and influence (such as through conferences, national and international networks and papers).

Further Information

**This appointment is being managed exclusively by our retained executive search advisors, Berwick Partners. Please do not apply for this role via the Manchester Metropolitan University website**

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Liam Young via liam.young@berwickpartners.co.uk

Further information, including a detailed role description and person specification, and information on how to apply can be found here – www.berwickpartners.co.uk/90980

Deadline for submission of applications is Sunday 7 April 2024. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 22 May 2024.

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