Research England is a funding council within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UKRI is the national funding agency investing in science and research in the UK. UKRI works in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities and government to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish.
Research England aims to create and sustain the conditions for a healthy, dynamic, diverse and inclusive research and knowledge system in English universities. We provide government grant funding for high quality research, knowledge exchange activities and infrastructure. We provide funding and long-term strategic direction to English universities for research and knowledge exchange activities. In 2024, we funded 135 universities; a public investment totalling £2.7bn.
Purpose of the Role
You will be part of a friendly and productive engagement team, part of the Insight and Engagement (I&E) directorate at Research England, UKRI. The engagement team comprises five posts who work together to engage across the range of universities funded by Research England; the team is the face of Research England, and we foster positive and trust-based relationships with our sector.
In line with our engagement strategy, you will nurture strong relationships with senior R&D leaders, predominantly pro vice chancellors and directors within universities, and chief executives of stakeholder groups.
Key Responsibilities
Externally facing:
1. Build vital, enduring relationships, engendering credibility and respect from key contacts in universities.
2. Act as a source of expert advice for senior contacts in universities.
3. Implement Research England’s engagement strategy within jointly agreed engagement practices.
4. Attend external events on behalf of Research England to engage and build relationships with key contacts.
5. In partnership with other engagement colleagues, convene groups of sector leaders.
6. Promote and act as a sounding board for funding opportunities administered by Research England including, UKRPIF, CCF, E3, SIPF, RED.
7. Proactively seek to understand the impact of Research England’s funding in universities in your portfolio.
8. Work collaboratively with colleagues to keep abreast of HE policy developments and assess their likely impact upon research and knowledge exchange within universities.
9. Horizon scan to educate yourself on potential sector issues.
Internally facing:
1. With the other Engagement Leads, develop and implement a strategic engagement programme, primarily for self and other senior leaders of Research England.
2. Work with the Head of Insight and other I&E team colleagues to support processes that systematically capture insights and intelligence, as well as contributing expert knowledge of institutions to give shape and nuance to outputs.
3. Lead work with senior leaders across Research England to enhance the engagement team’s understanding of emergent policy.
4. Work closely with senior leaders across Research England and identified UKRI teams to share sector intelligence and enhance sector understanding.
5. Support periodic reviews of the engagement strategy, helping to ensure our work is meeting the needs of Research England.
6. Positively engage in identified cross council working, and task and finish groups.
7. Co-create visit programmes/events (for self and other senior leaders) in collaboration with your universities to provide meaningful insight into the sector to help build knowledge and understanding of our sector.
8. Develop and deliver presentations and briefings on rapidly evolving sector issues.
9. Represent Research England to key stakeholders, drawing on policy, analysis and insights.
10. Produce or contribute to high-quality briefings and reports for senior officials, crystallising and highlighting issues of importance.
Other:
1. Undertake discrete project work alongside engagement activity.
2. Undertake other work, as appropriate, at the discretion of your line manager.
There are no direct line management responsibilities for this role.
Shortlisting Criteria
Essential:
1. External relationships: successful track record in building mutually beneficial relationships with senior external stakeholders. Must be over a sustained period and in a complex sector (for example: university, the public sector, a research funder, health service, local government etc).
2. Internal relationships: experienced in building relationships and influencing senior internal colleagues.
3. Team player: demonstrable experience of working successfully through collaboration.
4. Decision making: the ability to adapt to changing situations, take the initiative and originate action.
5. Change: ability to be innovative and challenge established thinking in self and others.
6. Written work: engaging and accurate, and suitable for advising senior leaders.
7. Organisation: works proactively and can plan work in line with appropriate strategies, policies, processes, and protocols.
8. Education/experience: to degree level or equivalent professional experience/qualifications.
9. Analysis: subtle, nuanced analysis of intelligence, using your own intuition and judgement.
10. Resilience: demonstrable personal resilience and the ability to remain focused on the bigger picture.
11. Knowledge/understanding – complex messages: ability to develop thorough understanding of and distil complex information.
12. Communication – influencing: excellent listening, influencing, and negotiating skills.
13. Communication – speaking: an engaging manner with the ability to communicate succinctly.
14. A sophisticated understanding of higher education policy.
Operational Information
Research England is based in Bristol, co-located with the Office for Students. UKRI’s head offices are in Swindon and London. The post holder should expect regular travel to these sites. While expenses will be paid for travel to universities, Swindon and London offices, expenses will not be paid to travel to Research England’s office in Bristol.
The post holder must be able to travel across England on a regular basis (expect to travel at least once a month, which will probably involve an overnight stay). Travel to universities/institutions is usually made by public transport; however, having a full driving licence and access to a car would be helpful for this role.
Applications
Online applications only for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter to the attachments section which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for 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.
Additional Information
Developing Talent:
We are committed to developing employees in their roles throughout their career. Learning and development plans enable employees to continue their professional development through training and development opportunities such as e-learning, classroom training and on-the-job experiences.
UKRI can offer the successful candidate:
* Flexible Working
* 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays
* Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme
* Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider
Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
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