UK Research and Innovation
Salary: From £91,943 per annum - Final salary will be awarded in line with UKRI pay principles
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended, however other flexible arrangements such as secondment or job share will be considered
Base Location:Bristol or Swindon with regular travel across the UK
Closing Date: Monday 9 December 2024 (23:59)
Shortlisting is expected to take place w/c 16 December 2024 and interviews are expected to take place on 7 January 2025 in London.
Role overview
UKRI invests public funds across the UK via studentships, research projects, knowledge exchange, research infrastructure, business innovation and many more. These investments are diverse and have hugely varied characteristics across the portfolio. Some are place-based, which means that they are driven by local impact and consultation with a geographic range of stakeholders.
In March 2022, UKRI published its first five-year strategy which outlines how the organisation will support the UK’s world class research and innovation system, fuel an innovation-led economy and society and drive-up prosperity across the UK. One of the strategic objectives is: ‘World class places – securing the UK’s position as a globally leading research and innovation nation with outstanding institutions, infrastructures, sectors and clusters across the breadth of the country.’
The role of Director, UKRI Place Programme will play a key role within UKRI as the Place agenda grows rapidly in the community and across Government. They will work with the Executive Champion to deliver the UKRI strategy for investing in Place and coordinate the implementation of the Place programme across UKRI, supporting the Strategy Committee (StratCo) and Executive Committee (ExCo) to make the right prioritisation decisions in support of Place, working in close partnership with Research Councils for delivery and for meeting objectives and KPIs. They will be responsible for strategic coordination, alignment and leadership of all UKRI Place resources, developing a coordinated Place function and increasing UKRI presence across all regions of the UK which will aim to build R&D capacity and support the R&D led regional growth and productivity. They will support the development of Place policy as appropriate with DSIT and other Government Departments, as well as working extensively across the UK, building relationships with regional and devolved partners and in particular Mayoral Combined Authorities in England and Government and City authorities in Devolved Nations. The role holder will also lead implementation and delivery of dedicated Place partnerships funding programmes. In addition, they will provide advice and develop consistent approaches to help teams across UKRI consider Place more systematically across the breadth and depth of our activity. The role will support the organisation to not only meet our strategic objective on world class places but also continuously build the narrative around our delivery.
Once established, the role is likely to grow over time with a need to define the capabilities, manage the resources, and ensure UKRI can move at pace as this agenda develops.
Key Responsibilities
* Support and implement the UKRI Investment Strategy for Places to support the delivery R&D led growth and productivity - this will include plans as to how it should be delivered and how we will work with delivery partners e.g. Mayoral Combined Authorities and other bodies
* Develop and oversee implementation and delivery plans for current and future KPIs and targets for Place, working in close partnership with Analysis and Council colleagues
* Support the development of insight and analysis on how Place considerations are being delivered across the whole UKRI portfolio of activity. Ensure this is used effectively to shape future direction and delivery of Place priorities
* Support development and delivery of policy objectives with DSIT and other government departments, devolved administrations, Mayoral Combined Authorities and other relevant regional bodies and stakeholders
* Serve as a member of UKRI Strategy Committee
* Be a leader of the Place agenda, both within UKRI and with our community, supporting UKRI’s ambition to be a strong single voice for the research and innovation community
* Act as Programme Director for UKRI Place and Partnerships Funds
Engagement and Communications:
* Develop a coordinated programme of UKRI engagement across all parts of the UK in partnership with Councils, engagement teams and senior leaders
* Lead engagement with Mayoral Combined Authorities alongside DSIT colleagues to support the delivery of the Government’s Devolution Deals with local areas around the UK
* Oversee regular reporting of UKRI activity and investment to relevant stakeholders
* Lead a UKRI approach to communicating our collective activity across the Place space
* Lead senior relationship management on Place with government bodies, UKRI board and Executive Committee
Delivery:
* Roll out a consistent approach to Place across UKRI. This includes implementation of the UKRI Place Funding Policy and inclusion of Place within organisational change programmes such as the Funding Service
* Monitor delivery of Place commitments across UKRI
* Develop and operationalise an integrated Place function in coordination colleagues in the IAI strand of the Operating Model and colleagues across UKRI. This function will work in a close and integrated way with colleagues to continue to lead the development of a UKRI collective approach to Place
* Create a Place community of practice to support the delivery of the Place Strategy
* Evaluate the effectiveness of our Place interventions and champion best practice across UKRI
Line management:
* Manage a small team based within Research England to coordinate UKRI delivery
* Work closely with Analysis, Investment Strategy teams and engagement teams across UKRI
About you
The following criteria will be assessed throughout the recruitment process:
Essential:
* Working with ambiguity; The ability to work in an environment of uncertainty and continual change. Able to feel comfortable making decisions and setting direction without having the full picture and re-focus as details emerge. Can apply knowledge and techniques to reduce ambiguity
* Collaboration and influence; The ability to establish and develop productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, bringing people together to benefit the project. The ability to influence, change and impact decisions with both internal and external stakeholders
* Ability to lead effectively; The ability to create and present a compelling vision and set clear direction, that motivates others to work towards a common goal. The ability to engage, motivate and coach others. To act as a role model and inspire and empower others
* Resilience; The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and situations whilst remaining calm, reassuring others and maintaining performance
* Innovation; The ability to think of, research and apply new ideas and ways of doing things. Encourages and supports innovations from others, is willing to experiment and follow ideas through to implementation
* Culture change; The ability to plan, lead and effect positive cultural change, securing commitment and buy-in and promoting a positive long term vision. Recognises when broader culture change is necessary to deliver a project
Desirable:
* Knowledge and experience of research and innovation, in the academic or commercial sectors
* Experience of engaging with the Devolved Administrations and/or regional authorities
About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
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