Head of Team

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Economic and Social Research Council

Head of Team

Location: Hybrid with base office in Swindon
Band: UKRI Band F
Salary: £54,043
Contract: Fixed Term
Hours: Full time or part time (min. 0.8FTE or job share)
Closing Date: 16 September 2024
Interviews: 3rd October 2024

About the roles

There are two roles available:

Role in Work, Education and Skills Team (fixed term until 31 July 2025)

You will lead ESRC's Work, Education and Skills Team, developing and delivering an outstanding portfolio of research on employment, labour markets, skills and education to improve working lives and educational opportunities for all.

Role in Environment Team (fixed term until 30 May 2025)

You will lead ESRC's Environment Team, developing and delivering an outstanding portfolio of research on the environment, and climate change to increase understanding and inform solutions to transition to Net Zero and broader environmental, biodiversity and sustainability goals.

ESRC's research activity is overseen by a small number of substantively themed research portfolio teams. The purpose of the Team Head role is to lead and to take personal responsibility for one of these research portfolio teams. It requires engaging with a wide range of academic and broader stakeholder communities as well as across ESRC and UKRI to catalyse research ideas and drive forward their subsequent development and delivery; work across the team's portfolio to maximise the value of the research we fund and ensure that outputs, outcomes and impacts are captured and optimised; and to learn lessons for future portfolio engagement and funding activity. The role requires knowledge of the portfolio areas overseen by the team, skills and a breadth of knowledge to capitalise on connections to other parts of ESRC's business, skills in building relationships within and beyond UKRI and good management skills to effectively run a team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Working to deliver the current, and support the development of the future, ESRC vision for social science and specific Delivery Plan priorities related to the portfolio remit
• Working across ESRC and UKRI more widely, identifying opportunities for the social sciences to add value to interdisciplinary activities and connecting the team to relevant activity within other parts of the organisation
• Developing effective external relationships with key strategic partners within the portfolio area, including representing ESRC at senior level meetings
• Maintaining knowledge of the outputs and outcomes of ESRC-funded research within the portfolio area - bringing research findings to the attention of government and industry, and communicating the impact of research investments to key audiences
• Building staff effectiveness and capability, and motivating teams
• Line and team management, including recruitment and performance management
• Effective budget management to ensure value for money at all times

This is not a comprehensive list, and we may require you to undertake other duties commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post.

ESRC has a strong commitment to the welfare of our people, and we have a culture which takes wellbeing and work-life balance seriously. Please find our benefits page for more information. Flexible working is something UKRI provides for its employees, therefore working arrangements are welcome to be discussed at the interview stage.

About you

We're looking for someone who's passionate about the power of social science research, has experience of working with a range of stakeholders, and can translate complex ideas and opportunities into actionable projects and interventions.

Shortlisting criteria

Please note the criteria below will be assessed at both the shortlisting and interview stage.

Essential:

• Broad-based experience and knowledge of the landscape of social science research in the relevant portfolio.
• Experience of building and maintaining effective, responsive working relationships and networks that deliver outcomes and value.
• Strong leadership skills, including providing a clear vision, influencing, negotiating, and engaging others to deliver objectives.
• Planning, organizing and prioritisation skills, with experience of balancing and responding to different demands, and the ability to deliver at high quality and pace against multiple priorities.
• Strategic thinking skills, including the ability to assess evidence and make informed recommendations about the shaping and delivery of priority activities.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to produce clear, concise and accurate presentations and written documentation for a wide range of audiences.
• Experienced line manager with the knowledge and skills required to manage, support and develop staff.

Desirable:

• Understanding and experience of the role of research and innovation in government policy
• An appreciation of the principles of good governance and knowledge of the governance of research and innovation in the UK.
• Strong numeracy skills and experience of managing budgets and the exercise of financial control.

Additional Information

Both posts are based at our Swindon office, but we operate a hybrid approach, and you can expect a mix of working from home, the office, and occasionally at external locations. As we recognise the benefits of in-person working, individual teams have set a minimum expectation that they will work in person together in the Swindon office. On occasions where there is a business need, you may be required to attend the office more than the minimum expectation (e.g., for training, events, or team days). Expectations will be set out at interview and offer, and all working arrangements will be considered.

Travel within the UK and possibly overseas is also expected.

If you would like to discuss these opportunities, please get in touch with the hiring managers Joy Todd (Environment) or Damien Smith (Work, Education and Skills).

Cover Letters and CV's should be no longer than two sides of A4 in length. Should they have one, please could candidates indicate a preference in role within their Cover Letters.

Fixed Term Assignments

Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time,
please refer to the Recruitment Policy for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.

About the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

The ESRC is the UK's largest funder of economic, social, behavioural and human data science. It supports the development and training of the UK's future social scientists and funds major studies that provide the infrastructure for research. ESRC-funded research informs policy-makers and practitioners and helps make businesses, voluntary bodies and other organisations more effective.

For more information about ESRC, please visit https://esrc.ukri.org/

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.

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 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.