EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HUMANITARIAN AND CONFLICT RESPONSE INSTITUTE & PROFESSOR OF PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES

Part of the prestigious Russell Group of UK universities, The University of Manchester is one of the UK’s largest single-site higher education institutions. We operate at scale with an annual turnover of £1.35 billion, a significant ongoing capital investment programme and around 46,000 students. The University of Manchester is a truly global institution, with a reputation for education and innovation that resonates across the world. Today we are ranked 34th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025) and 2nd in the world for social and environmental impact (Times Higher Education Impact Ranking).
An exciting opportunity has arisen for the post of Executive Director and Professor at the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI). Founded in 2008, the HCRI is a leading global institute dedicated to interdisciplinary research and education about conflict and disasters. HCRI’s focus and approach are unique, as the only research Institute dedicated to examining the interconnected challenges of armed conflict, humanitarian response, disaster response, and global humanitarian health, and increasingly climate change. In doing so, HCRI brings together scholars from over 10 disciplines (history, history of medicine, peace studies, development studies, sociology, geography, anthropology, politics, epidemiology, emergency medicine) to advance innovative research and evidence-based approaches to effectively respond to these complex challenges. At the heart of HCRI’s mission is the desire to educate future leaders, inform and support decision-makers, collaborate with partner organisations, and foster increased understanding and debate.
The University of Manchester is now seeking to appoint a new Executive Director and Professor to lead the continued growth and development of the Institute in line with its mission and ambitions. The new Executive Director will have the opportunity to provide leadership to help shape the strategic direction and business plan for the Institute, lead on external facing activities with key global partners and provide academic leadership to ensure high quality research outputs.
The successful candidate will specialise in one of HCRI’s areas of thematic expertise (Peace and Conflict Studies, Humanitarian Studies, Disaster Studies or Global (Humanitarian) Health) and possess the requisite leadership skills and management experience to provide inspirational and effective leadership to HCRI. As a Professor at the University, they will also demonstrate a record of success in securing competitive research funding and publishing world-leading and methodologically rigorous research. They will share the University’s commitment to social responsibility and fostering an inclusive and nurturing culture in which all colleagues and students have the opportunity to thrive and progress their careers.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the University of Manchester on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference WMNM. Alternatively email Belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Friday 24th January 2025.
As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all sectors of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation. As Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates are currently under-represented at this level at the University, we would particularly welcome applications from individuals in minority ethnic groups. All appointments will be made on merit. The University is positive about hybrid and flexible working. Blended working arrangements may be considered.

Please refer the Job description for details