This is an exciting opportunity to support Professor Christopher Smith in his role as AHRC Executive Chair and International Champion. The successful applicant will gain a unique insight into the Arts and Humanities research landscape, working closely with the Executive Chair through the next strategic planning cycle. As Private Secretary, the successful applicant will be responsible for providing an overall package of support to the Executive Chair, allowing them to fulfill their strategic leadership role, supporting effective decision-making and operational delivery. This is a pivotal role supporting a broad-ranging, dynamic, and innovative research council agenda, with leadership across UKRI, including creative industries.
The successful applicant will manage a team of Executive Assistants who support the AHRC Executive Office. They will work closely with the AHRC COO Office and the International Office in coordinating the portfolio of the Executive Chair's responsibilities.
Key Areas of Accountability
The successful applicant will be responsible for:
* Strategic running of the Executive Office
* Supporting the Executive Chair with strategic advice and briefing, demonstrating a sound understanding of the objectives of AHRC, UKRI, and the role of the Executive Chair
* Effectively delivering and delegating on behalf of the Executive Chair, convening and coordinating the right people to develop solutions
* Building and maintaining effective stakeholder networks, sharing information effectively, maintaining confidence, and operating with a high level of tact, discretion, and integrity
* Working with teams across AHRC to deliver an effective programme of communications and strategic engagement for the Executive Chair and Senior Leadership Team
* Leading a team of Executive Assistants to support the day-to-day affairs of the Office, and working closely with the wider Governance and Executive Office (GEO) team to ensure smooth running of AHRC as an organisation
* Being a visible and approachable point of contact for AHRC staff, working collaboratively and inclusively with teams
* Managing information flows to and from the executive team, making sound judgments on briefing stakeholders
* Inputting to AHRC's business planning and business cycles, including major strategic outputs such as Strategic Delivery Plans and Spending Reviews
* Overseeing smooth running of meetings, arrangements, engagements, providing and cascading accurate and timely notes and actions where appropriate
* Commissioning briefings, seeking expert input and advice from the relevant teams
* Problem-solving and developing effective solutions to issues arising
* Facilitating effective engagement between the Executive Chair and AHRC staff
* Managing the relevant resources, budgets, and risks on behalf of the Executive Chair, ensuring efficiency, wellbeing, and sustainability are at the forefront of considerations
* Overseeing compliance with UKRI policies and processes, including Declarations of Interest, Gifts and Hospitality, ensuring regularity, propriety, and value for money
* Working with the GEO team to provide a resilient service to the whole organisation, ensuring 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.
Skills and Experience
* Ability to work at pace, think strategically, and respond to shifting priorities (S&I)
* Ability to plan ahead and manage competing priorities (S&I)
* Ability to solve problems with a high degree of initiative and ingenuity (S&I)
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail and accuracy (S&I)
* Ability to see the bigger picture, understanding the mission and objectives of AHRC, its place within UKRI, wider government, and research community (S&I)
* Ability to lead a small, high-performing team, matrix manage and delegate effectively (S&I)
Desirable Criteria
* Understanding the arts and humanities research sector (S&I)
* Understanding of working in the public sector, particularly in a private office environment (S&I)
About The Arts and Humanities Research Council
The AHRC supports world-class research that furthers our understanding of human culture and creativity. It supports research and postgraduate training in a wide range of subject areas, from ancient history and heritage science to modern dance and digital content. Research into these areas helps us interpret our experiences, probe our identities, interrogate our cultural assumptions, and understand our historical, social, economic, and political context. It adds to the economic success of the UK through its contributions to the knowledge economy and innovation agenda. The research we fund can lead to improvements in social and intellectual capital, community identity, learning skills, technological evolution, and the quality of life of the nation. Further details can be found via the following links: AHRC.
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills, and business-led innovation.
Benefits
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 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.
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