Senior Portfolio Manager - Corporate Development

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Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Job Title : Senior Portfolio Manager - Corporate Development

Location : Swindon, GB

Organisation name : Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Salary : £43,116 per annum

Contract Type : Open Ended

Hours : Full Time/ Part Time considered (minimum 0.6 FTE)

Closing Date : 04 July 2024

Interview Date : w/c 22 July 2024

About Us

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is the main UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences, investing over £1 billion a year in a broad range of subjects from mathematics to manufacturing, from AI to advanced materials, and information and communications technology (ICT) to structural engineering.EPSRC's vision is to invest in world-leading research and skills to advance knowledge and deliver a sustainable, resilient and prosperous UK. Across our diverse portfolio we support new ideas and transformative technologies which are the foundations of innovations that improve economy, environment, and society.

Working in partnership across UKRI, Government Departments, and the wider research and innovation landscape, we are

• supporting the UK's ambition to be a science superpower by investing in a pipeline of discovery-led research, delivering the research tools, technologies and outcomes that will provide a bedrock for the UK's future
• delivering mission-inspired research, enabling economic and societal impacts by underpinning UKRI strategic themes, targeting national priorities, and enabling transformative technologies
• enhancing UK prosperity by developing world-class people, places, and innovation, supporting impactful partnerships and catalysing industry investment for a more inclusive, connected, and sustainable ecosystem.

Our Delivery Plan provides details on our specific priorities and planned deliverables up to 2025 ( https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/EPSRC-010922-StrategicDe... )

About EPSRC - https://www.ukri.org/about-us/epsrc/#:~:text=EPSRC invests in world-leading,our economy, environment and society .

Hybrid Working

These 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 external locations. As we recognise the benefits of in person working, EPSRC currently has a minimum expectation that we will work in person, in the Swindon office, at least 2 days per month. On occasions where there is a business need, you may be required to attend the office more than 2 days a month (e.g., for training, events, or team days). This post also requires travel to attend external visits and meetings. We will make exceptions to the minimum requirement to work in person in the Swindon office for individuals that might encounter difficulties because of a disability/health condition. We welcome applications from candidates with special requirements.

Purpose

The role is within the Corporate Development team in EPSRC. We work closely with EPSRC's Executive team, especially the Executive and Deputy Executive Chair and Chief Operating Officer, to ensure EPSRC's strategic development is managed efficiently and effectively. Our roles are outward facing, regularly engaging with colleagues across UKRI and within government and wider policy settings. The senior manager role works across the Executive Chair Office and wider corporate development team taking a lead on managing key relationships, critical projects and corporate submissions.

The purpose of your role will be:

1) Delivery of projects and processes on behalf of the Executive Chair and the Chief Operating Officer. The role will work under the direction of the Head of Private Office and will deliver activity on behalf and in direct support of the Executive Chair and the Chief Operating Officer

2) Support strategic planning of EPSRC's externally delivered activities, including EPSRC's contributions to UKRI corporate planning documents and activities-related to Public Affairs

Main outputs and activities

1) Deliver activities and projects on behalf of the Executive team, including working at pace to deliver support for strategy development, senior-level meetings, internal and external communications, and managing relationships with senior stakeholders.

2) Draft and finalise corporate documents and papers, drawing together diverse materials and providing insights from a wide range of sources.

3) Prepare briefing materials, correspondence, and presentations to support the Executive Chair and Chief Operating Officer in their roles.

4) Support the Chief Operating Officer and the Head of Private Office in managing Executive level operational activities, e.g., declarations of interest, financial delegations, supporting senior level recruitment and inductions, and organisational change.

5) Manage key relationships as assigned by the Head of Private Office. These will typically be with senior stakeholders within UKRI and within government departments.

6) Supporting the flow of information from the Executive to the wider of the organisation, including direct support for meetings, presentations, follow-up actions, and producing written updates.

7) Implement and manage a timely and proportionate Public Affairs programme, building on existing activity across EPSRC and the supporting the Executive team in their connections and engagement.

8) Line management of staff at grades B-D.

Shortlisting Criteria

Essential

• A strategic thinker who can develop and implement approaches to problem solving, working at pace to analyse, diagnose, and tackle critical issues and new challenges.

• Demonstrable in-depth understanding of the role that engineering and physical sciences research and innovation plays in government ambitions, and EPSRC's role in facilitating this.

• Proven ability to work within a matrix environment, developing deep and effective working relationships with senior stakeholders, with the ability to leverage these to achieve organisational outcomes.

• Experience meeting the needs of multiple stakeholders, including complex groups, through leadership, negotiation, and upward management.

• A proactive approach to working, with ability to independently develop and implement new ways of working, monitor their effectiveness, and change approaches were needed.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (comfortable engaging with scientific and technical content) combined with excellent organisational skills.

Desirable

• An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant scientific discipline.

How to apply

Online applications only are accepted for this role. Please submit a CV and "Application Statement" in which you should give evidenced examples that clearly explain how your abilities, experiences and skills demonstrate each of the shortlisting criteria listed above. You are advised to familiarise yourself with the STAR methodology (see: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/STAR-method.htm ), which is a useful framework for providing these examples. Each document should be no more than three pages.

Please 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 submission of an application without an 'application statement' may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted 'application statement' and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

If successful at the shortlisting stage, you will be invited to attend a competency-based interview. You will be asked to provide evidenced examples that demonstrate that you are able to cover the interview criteria which are the same as the shortlisting criteria below. You will also be asked to give a short presentation on a topic that will be provided to you in advance.

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.

Further information about the role can be discussed with Katie Blaney (Joint Head of Research Infrastructure). Please email katie.blaney@epsrc.ukri.org to arrange a mutually convenient time to speak.

About the Engineering and Physical Sciences Council (EPSRC)

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Council (EPSRC) is a partner organisation within UKRI, providing essential research and skills for all sectors of the economy, and through this aims to enhance long-term societal well-being and prosperity.

EPSRC is the main UK government agency for funding this research and training in engineering and the physical sciences. They invest over £850 million a year in a broad range of subjects from mathematics to materials science and from information technology to structural engineering.

For more information about EPSRC click here: https://www.ukri.org/councils/epsrc/

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.