Deputy Head of Policy (Higher Education)
The closing date for applications is 12:00pm Monday 27 January 2025.
The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences – is seeking a Deputy Head of Higher Education Policy to join our Higher Education and Research Policy team, providing key support in the delivery of education and skills policy activities.
The role
The Deputy Head will support the leadership of the Higher Education and Research Policy team, a collaborative, productive and high-performing part of the Academy’s Policy Directorate. We work to position the Academy as a thought leader on higher education and research policy, engaging in evidence-based policy to influence the health and vibrancy of our disciplines.
You will lead in managing the delivery of the Academy’s higher education, teaching and skills activity, with specific responsibility for these themes and activities. You will lead Senior and Junior Policy Advisers to create research and policy projects that offer insight into current and future critical policy issues in the higher education system. Current and planned work includes assessments on the relationship between post-16 choice, higher education degree, and graduate outcomes; analytical maps of cold spots in SHAPE provision; the strategic importance of languages to the UK; and the role of skills – including AI – in UK economic strategy. Engaging with critical stakeholders in the education landscape, including the Office for Students and the Department for Education, will be essential.
You will support the Head of Policy to lead a growing and successful team in delivering impactful work which champions the SHAPE disciplines. With line management responsibility for a Senior Policy Adviser, a proactive and collaborative approach in developing and implementing creative ideas and concepts in policy research and analysis is required.
The ideal candidate will have a strong education policy background and be excited to shape and contribute to our higher education policy activities. We are looking for someone proactive and collaborative in their approach to developing and implementing creative ideas and concepts in policy research and analysis.
About the Academy
The British Academy is the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, established by Royal Charter in 1902. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. Today’s complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, culture, and societies. With a Fellowship of around 1700 leading national and international academics, the Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas; engages the public with fresh thinking and debates; and brings together scholars, government, business, and civil society to influence policy.
The Academy currently has five directorates: Communications & Marketing; Development; Policy; Research; and Resources, plus a small Governance & Fellowship Team.
Working at the Academy
Our senior management team have worked with staff to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empathy, in which all contributions are recognised as we work towards our common goals. Our people strategy and working practices focus on building strengths and sharing insights, with learning & development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion at the centre of how we operate as an organisation. Investing in our staff and encouraging a healthy work/life balance is central to our success.
Terms and conditions
The British Academy is based at 10-11, Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1 – a Grade 1 listed building. We offer a competitive benefits package including a 35-hour working week; 34 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays; a subsidised canteen and an excellent occupational pension.
How to apply
We use Applied for our recruitment. Applied aims to overcome unconscious bias in recruiting. Instead of using CVs, candidates are asked to answer questions that test skills needed for the role. The responses are then anonymised and reviewed in a random order by members of the hiring panel.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, in line with our commitment to create a diverse and inclusive working environment, promote equal opportunity, and address under-representation. We will make reasonable adjustments to support disabled job applicants and offer an interview to those meeting the minimum selection criteria.
Applications must be received no later than 12:00 noon on 27 January 2025.
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