Job Description

The UK’s Research and Innovation (R&I) system is complex with multiple players with overlapping objectives. We want to support an effective and efficient R&I system that draws on a diverse range of voices and perspectives to make the most of existing strengths as well as identifying any weaknesses or gaps. You will help make this happen.

The Financial Sustainability of Research team draws together the expertise and experience across our organization to assess the financial sustainability of the system, how we might take better account of financial sustainability concerns, and to understand what this means for UKRI’s own programmes and processes.

Key areas of focus will include:

• Leading the financial sustainability of research programme and team; engaging with system level UKRI activity and that of other funders and BEIS where this contributes to understanding and enhancing impact (economic, social, environmental) through the R&I system (such as through incentives on individuals and institutions, diversification of funding instruments, balance between people and capital for optimal productivity)
• Connecting and communicating to influence with internal and external stakeholders, especially senior Government decision makers and those in the sector who influence them; contributing to the SPE group and strategy profession across UKRI 
• Challenging internal UKRI assumptions, provoke new thinking and learn from external comparators to help us identify strategic opportunities for UKRI to become a smarter investor as a unique funder at the whole R&I ecosystem level; and scope the future functional and structural need in this area

Benefits

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.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong communication and influencing skills across internal and external stakeholders (especially Government) 
• An ability to challenge internal assumptions, provoke new thinking and learn from external comparators to help identify strategic opportunities
• A deep insight into the UK research and innovation system, beyond single discipline or mode of intervention
• Experienced leadership skills, capable of seeing the bigger picture, including supporting and advising senior executives
• Credibility to challenge and provoke change at senior levels and earn trust of demanding internal and external customers
• Understanding and perspective of where UKRI fits within the wider R&I ecosystem