UK Research and Innovation
Salary:£68,525 per annum
Hours:Full time or Part time (minimum 0.8 FTE)
Contract Type:Open Ended.
Location:Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire (Note: a London location is available to UKRI employees on existing London-based contracts)
Closing date:Sunday 16th March 2025
Job Purpose
This is an exciting opportunity for a leadership position in the Investment Planning and Strategy (IPS) group, at the heart of UKRI. The IPS group works across UKRI and the wider sector to build our understanding of the investment needs of the R&I system, building the case for government’s investment in R&I and working through DSIT and other government departments to ensure that UKRI's investment portfolio maximises the impact of public R&I funding on the economy and society.
As the Head of Allocations & Thematic Investment Strategy, you will be responsible for leading a high-performing team that works across the organisation, and with government and other stakeholders to co-create new strategies and investment plans, drive positive change, and develop emerging priority areas across UKRI’s investment portfolio. You will lead cross-functional teams working on the allocation of funding arising from fiscal events such as spending reviews as well as Ministerial reprioritisation, working in close partnership with teams across UKRI including Strategy, Finance, Analysis, Operations, and Communications and Engagement. In addition, you will provide visible Investment Strategy leadership across a number of important priority areas, such as UKRI’s support for the emergence, development and exploitation of disruptive technologies; UKRI’s investment in key Industrial Strategy Sectors; and thematic areas linked to key HMG priorities, such as national missions.
This role is highly varied, and therefore we are looking for a person that is able to thrive – and support others to thrive – in complex, uncertain and fast-paced environments. You will work across diverse and senior stakeholders across UKRI, government and other organisations, and will therefore need to develop credibility quickly and build the trusted relationships needed to secure progress in your portfolio. You will be a visible and supportive leader, with the ability to bring others along with you while acting decisively when needed.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead UKRI’s internal funding allocations processes to ensure investments support optimal delivery of the outcomes UKRI and HMG are seeking to achieve. This will include:
- Working in close partnership with the Investment Planning team on the preparation for major fiscal events such as Spending Reviews, corralling the best evidence, insights and arguments to maintain a golden thread through the bidding process to final allocations.
- Leading the cross-functional, cross-UKRI teams to outline the approach and process for the allocation of funding, working iteratively and collaboratively with stakeholders both within and outside of UKRI.
- Empowering team members – including those on cross-functional teams – to deliver and succeed through supportive leadership.
- Developing trusted relationships with key UKRI leaders, including the Executive Committee ‘champions’ for these areas.
- Scoping, designing and implementing major change programmes to improve UKRI’s collective effectiveness and impact.
- Building strong communities of experts and advocates across UKRI.
- Shaping strategic advice to UKRI’s senior decision makers, including the Board, CEO and Executive Committee.
Lead and/or support cross-UKRI investment strategy on strategically important thematic areas, including:
- Support for the emergence, development and exploitation of disruptive technologies including coordinating plans across the 5 critical technologies (AI, quantum technologies, engineering biology, future telecommunications, and semiconductors).
- Investment in key Industrial Strategy Sectors and areas of importance to delivery of national missions.
- Lead a team of diverse, high-performing colleagues with varied and changing portfolios, whilst modelling UKRI’s core values of integrity, collaboration, innovation and excellence.
- Develop effective partnerships with key officials in government departments, including DSIT, to ensure UKRI is able to influence and support delivery against major policy priorities.
- Work flexibly across the Investment Strategy team to support high priorities as they emerge, working and deploying team resources flexibly to create an agile and responsive team.
Essential Shortlisting and Interview Criteria
- Knowledge and expertise:Excellent knowledge of and strategic insights into the UK research and innovation system and government priorities, including experience of working on fiscal events and demonstrated experience linking investment plans to strategy. (S&I)
- Visionary leadership:Experience of leading high-performing teams in complex and dynamic environments and empowering team members to succeed. (S&I)
- Strategic thinking and problem solving:Ability to craft high-impact strategies that align to organisational objectives and national policy priorities. (S&I)
- Effective communication:Ability to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including senior decision-makers, government stakeholders, and external communities. (S&I)
- Collaboration and influence:Strong track record of building trusted relationships with diverse and senior stakeholders to secure progress on complex portfolios of activity. (S&I)
- Adaptability and resilience:Ability to maintain focus on delivering outcomes in high-pressure, ambiguous or rapidly evolving situations. (S&I)
(S) – Assessed at shortlisting
(I) – Assessed at interview
(S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview
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 atwww.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, visitBenefits 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 visitHow 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.
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