Senior Investment Manager - Infrastructure
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The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Senior Investment Manager - Infrastructure
Salary: £43,116 per annum
Hours: Full time (or up to 0.8 FTE)
Contract Type: until 11 January 2025
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire
Grade: UKRI Band E
Organisational Position
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (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 to 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.
The Team
The Infrastructure Team is responsible for strategy, development and delivery of AHRC's major capital investments and projects. The team leads on AHRC's engagement with the UKRI Infrastructure team to ensure that the arts and humanities research is appropriately represented in the wider UKRI community, and the extent of their contribution to research and innovation understood. The team is responsible for scoping and shaping policy and future investment in this area, managing investments, commissioning new research and stakeholder engagement.
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Head of Infrastructure, you will be responsible for providing strategic leadership of allocated activities within AHRC's Programmes division on Infrastructure. You will lead and support the development and implementation of a range of funding schemes and initiatives, including thematic work on strategic areas within the infrastructure portfolio. You will work closely with other Team Heads and Senior Investment Managers within and across AHRC teams to co-ordinate activity. You will play a key role in informing the strategic direction of the team and research programmes, including the management of existing schemes and development and delivery of new activity.
This is a fixed term position and will join the team at a busy and exciting time for the infrastructure portfolio. Your role will provide support and lead the development, delivery and evaluation of a range of projects within AHRC's Infrastructure portfolio, with a particular focus on developing AHRC's 'World Class Labs' programme, which invests in institutional and regional research facilities. You will also contribute to the team's response to data and impact story requests as AHRC develops its Spending review submission.
You will be required to work strategically with the Head of Infrastructure and other SIM to ensure effective implementation of portfolio work packages and to realise the benefits from previous investments. You will also work closely with colleagues across AHRC and UKRI to ensure that these programmes contribute appropriately to the advancement of AHRC's stated strategic priorities.
In addition to the Infrastructure portfolio, the post includes responsibility for contributing to and developing new strategic activities in supporting wider corporate activities, working closely with colleagues across the AHRC and other Research Councils.
Main Outputs & Activities
• To work with the Team Head and other Senior Investment Manager to manage the planning and operation of the team and its contribution to the delivery of wider AHRC and UKRI strategic aims
• To oversee previous World Class Labs investments and support the scoping and development of future funding opportunities, with a particular focus on:
- Creative Research Capability grant holder management and benefits realisation
- Towards a National Collection
- Harwell Heritage Archives collection review project
• To manage engagement with other teams within the AHRC, with infrastructure teams in other Councils in UKRI and with the external research community
• To pro-actively support the collection, analysis and interpretation of information contributing to understanding, and narratives about, the value and impact of AHRC funded research and contribute to the AHRC's and Infrastructure Spending Review submissions and evidence gathering
• To assume overall responsibility for the delivery of funding schemes and programmes managed by the team, including devolved budget management as required
• To manage and develop strategic relationships with Higher Education Institutions / Independent Research Organisations, the UK and international research community, other research funders and wider partners (UK and overseas) to develop expertise and knowledge and deliver collaborative programmes
• To represent the AHRC at external meetings, events and committees etc., giving presentations, running workshops and facilitating knowledge exchange as required, gathering information to inform AHRC horizon-scanning, policy and strategy
• In conjunction with other colleagues, to contribute to the development and setting of Team priorities and support their implementation by managing staff and resources in a timely and effective way
• To provide expert advice and guidance in contributing to the on-going review of policies, procedures and systems within AHRC, advising on the application of policy and making decisions on complex cases, making effective use of management information, developing effective cross-Council approaches where appropriate, and supporting senior colleagues in implementing new policy initiatives including cross-Research Council activities
• To represent the team/division on internal steering groups within the AHRC and UKRI as required
Shortlisting and Interview Criteria
Essential:
Qualifications
• Degree or equivalent relevant experience
Knowledge and Skills
• A good understanding of the UK higher education system and/or experience in higher education administration, research administration, the heritage sector, digital humanities, the creative industries or a similar environment
• Experience of managing successful large-scale projects and programmes of work including budget management
• Ability to build productive working relationships internally and externally, at all levels of seniority and across academic, policy and wider sectors, nationally and internationally
• Ability to develop understanding of a new subject, issue or project quickly and be able solve problems and make effective decisions, sometimes in a challenging environment
• Ability to work effectively both individually and as a member of a team
• Ability to initiate and sustain productive working relationships and partnerships, both internally and externally to AHRC
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to analyse and condense complex information/data to provide clear, succinct, and information advice and briefings for senior colleagues
• Strong analytical skills
Other
• Willing to travel and work away from the office and/or outside normal working hours, including overnight travel
Desirable:
Qualifications
• Postgraduate qualification in discipline relevant to the AHRC's remit
Knowledge and Skills
• An understanding of the issues facing research in the UK, particularly in the arts and humanities
• Familiarity with or experience of developing 'Green Book' business cases
• Experience giving presentations, leading workshops, and influencing discussions for various stakeholders, including senior staff, government offices, and academics
• An understanding of the societal and economic contribution of arts and humanities research to heritage, the digital and creative economies
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 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 to 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: https://ahrc.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 at 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.
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