UK Research and Innovation
Strategy and Planning Lead x3
Council / function: Investment Planning and Strategy
Salary: £54,043
Hours:Full time or Part time (Minimum 0.8 FTE)
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location:Polaris House, Swindon
Closing Date: Tuesday 3rd December 2024
Job Purpose
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Investment Planning and Strategy (IPS) group at the heart of UKRI. The IPS group works in an integrative way to harness the collective expertise across UKRI to set overall strategy for the organisation, lead investment planning, develop our impact evidence base and increase resilience and sustainability in the R&I system. We work collaboratively alongside colleagues in DSIT and other government departments, building the case for investment in R&I and to ensure UKRI's investment portfolio as a whole has the maximum impact on the economy and society.
As a Strategy and Planning Lead in IPS group you will be responsible for leading on key strategic initiatives and projects and contribute to significant group priorities such as developing our overall UKRI Strategy, shaping spending review bids and understanding how we maximise impact and resilience across the research and innovation ecosystem. You will be based in one of the three core strategy teams in the group; Corporate Strategy, Planning and Performance; Investment Strategy; Impact and R&I Resilience; and you will work collaboratively across IPS on group priorities and high-profile projects. The role will require you to cover a broad portfolio of activities, while also leading on specific topics when required.
We are looking for proactive, collaborative, flexible individuals who are able to grow their knowledge quickly. You will work across diverse and senior stakeholders across UKRI, Government, and other organisations, which will require you to demonstrate diplomacy, tact to build trusted relationships with others while having the drive required to ensure work progresses at pace. You will be motivated, proactive, and comfortable working independently, whilst contributing to a high performing team.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide strategic leadership and develop knowledge and expertise in one or more of the following key strategy areas:
- Investment planning, spending reviews and allocations
- Corporate strategy, planning and performance
- Cross-Government R&I collaboration and partnerships
- Balance and shape (right-shaping) of the UKRI investment portfolio
- Cross-cutting strategy and strategic themes
- R&I system strategy and resilience
- Impact of UKRI and the R&I system
- Emerging strategic priorities, projects and critical issues
* Be part of, and contribute to the UKRI-wide strategy community of practice, building understanding, sharing knowledge and proactively identifying opportunities to co-develop, co-deliver and join-up work across the organisation
* Provide strategic challenge and support, while helping to coordinate pan-UKRI efforts to address key UKRI goals. This will include, for example: Bringing together deep technical experts, senior policy professionals across Government, and cross-functional UKRI teams to develop strategies to address key research and innovation challenge areas
* Develop options and advice on a portfolio of issues, often to rapid timescales, that will inform key decision making and support new strategy development
* Provide high quality advice including UKRI’s CEO, Executive and Strategy Committees, UKRI Board and DSIT officials
* Support UKRI teams to draft key strategy and policy documents for internal use, and at times, external publication
* Develop the strategic case for investment proposals
* Support UKRI preparations for major fiscal events, including Spending Review and Budget
* Work flexibly and collaboratively across the Investment Planning and Strategy Group on a range of UKRI strategy and policy priorities as required
There are three immediate priorities for these roles:
* To help provide strategic leadership across UKRI to make the case for and secure funding during phase 2 of the ongoing spending review, which will set budgets across government for the multi-year period from 2026/27. This will involve working closely with colleagues across UKRI – in particular the Spending Review Development Group – to develop high quality proposals, backed by evidence, that makes the case for a UKRI investment portfolio that maximises the impact of our funding on the economy and society.
* To support the framing and assessing options for the allocation of UKRI’s spending review settlement, working collaboratively with teams across the organisation to ensure UKRI optimises the investment we receive to support delivery of our Strategy and critical Ministerial priorities. This is an exciting opportunity to gain broad exposure to UKRI’s funding landscape whilst supporting Strategy and Executive Committee to shape UKRI’s allocations recommendation to the Board, who in turn advises the DSIT Secretary of State.
* To support the next phase of the spending review with a focus on assessing the optimum shape, balance and flexibility of UKRI’s investment portfolio, helping to ensure the resilience and impact of our activities and the R&I system. This is an exciting opportunity to lead on one or more key workstreams and provide support across the project. This is a high-profile initiative that provides an opportunity to have a significant impact on the strategic direction of UKRI’s funding.
Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience
(S) – Assessed at shortlisting
(I) – Assessed at interview
(S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview
* Ability to think strategically and make connections across disparate areas of strategy, ensuring that plans and activities take account of the wider landscape and range of stakeholder perspectives (S&I)
* A proven ability to collaborate, influence and build excellent working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior staff across UKRI and central government departments (S&I)
* Outstanding written and verbal communication skills including significant experience in provision of high quality written and verbal advice suitable for executive and senior level decision makers (S&I)
* Experience of setting an agenda and leading others, working flexibly as part of a team to respond to shifting priorities (S&I)
* Experience of analysing complex problems, using a range of different types of evidence (for example financial, operational data, or impact and performance indicators) (S&I)
* Strong project management, planning and organisational skills (S&I)
Desirable Skills, Knowledge and Experience
* Demonstrable knowledge of the UK research and innovation landscape (S)
* Experience of team or line management (S)
This advert covers multiple positions and assignments will be allocated on the basis of current business priorities, skills and preferences. Applicants are welcome to express their preferences in the areas of strategy and priorities outlined above. We will hold a reserve list from this recruitment exercise who may be approached about other strategy roles in the group.
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 for 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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