Head of News

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UK Research and Innovation

Salary: £65,262
Hours: Full time or Part time (Minimum 0.8 FTE)
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon (Hybrid working available)

Closing Date: Sunday 5th January 2025

Role Overview

As the UKRI's Head of News you will lead our news and media engagement strategy, positioning the organisation as a key driver of innovation and research excellence. You will oversee a team responsible for generating high-quality media coverage, managing UKRI's reputation and shaping how our ground-breaking research and innovation efforts are communicated to the public, media and key stakeholders.

You will work closely with the Chief of External Affairs and Communications, the Executive team, senior researchers and partners across a wide range of sectors, to ensure consistent and compelling narratives that enhance the visibility of UKRI's contributions to science, technology and societal advancement.

You will be an experienced media operator and professional communicator, ambitious to find new and proactive ways to connect with our audiences and to create impact through storytelling. Understanding what people are thinking and saying about research and innovation will also be a key part of your role, as will optimising our use of channels and content.

You will combine your professional expertise with strong leadership capability, with experience of leading within a complex organisation and fostering a positive and open culture, which seeks to be diverse and inclusive.

Key responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: develop and implement a comprehensive news and media strategy to promote UKRI's mission, research outcomes and impact across local, national and international media.
• Lead the press team, currently 14 people, and provide wider leadership across the external affairs and communication function as a member of the profession's senior team. Lead by example by modelling good behaviours and living the UKRI values of excellence, innovation, integrity and collaboration.
• Drive a shift towards proactivity in UKRI's communication and media work to put UKRI and the issues we care about on the front foot in sector, regional and national press, and giving a voice to our many experts.
• Develop and champion relationships with news outlets to develop understanding of UKRI and further opportunities for UKRI to contribute across sector, national and regional press
• Work closely across all our owned channels and the wider team to ensure alignment of messaging and content
• Lead effective and responsive media relations across UKRI, protecting the organisation's reputation and responding to issues and incidents. Lead the management of high-profile and sensitive media relations issues
• Provide trusted advice and guidance to senior leaders across the organisation on all aspects of media engagement
• Ensure there is effective horizon scanning to produce monthly forward looks which analyse risk and identify opportunities.

Key skills and experience

(S) - Assessed at shortlisting

(I) - Assessed at interview

(S&I) - Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

• Significant experience in leading and delivering media strategies and plans that achieve outcomes in a complex and high-profile organisation, preferably in the public sector, research or innovation organisation. (S&I)
• A strong interest or background in science in its fullest sense would be advantageous.(S)
• A strong track record of using a full range of media channels to devise impactful stories and narratives, both proactively and reactively (I)
• Leadership experience with a track record of leading, developing and motivating a high-performing teams in complex and changing environments. (S&I)
• Proven ability to provide authoritative and influential advice to senior leaders on strategic communications issues and opportunities. (I)
• Excellent understanding of the latest developments in communications best practice including campaigns methodologies, modern media relations, and digital technologies and tactics needed to reach a wide range of target audiences (I)
• A commitment to your own and your team's professional development and improvement (I)
• Expertise in managing high-profile media relations, crisis communications and reputation management (I)
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills across a range of internal and external partners. (I)
• Experience of working with a range of stakeholders including government, the media and academia with an understanding of the political and policy environment we operate in. (S&I)
• Ability to deliver at pace and see the bigger picture (I)

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.