Head of Regional Engagement – Scotland

Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: Field based in Scotland (with some travel to Swindon / rest of UK)

Closing Date: 06/03/2023

About the role

The Head of Regional Engagement (HRE) for Scotland is responsible for strengthening the EPSRC’s relationships with local stakeholders; including academic institutions, research and innovation organisations, local research-intensive industries, the Scottish Government and related bodies.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Leadership and regional strategy:

• Identify priorities for working with the region, through engaging with key stakeholders to identify opportunities
• Ensure that EPSRC’s strategic priorities are recognised and reflected in local strategies and activities. Provide input into and support the delivery of relevant strategies and action plans from our key stakeholders.

Relationship and stakeholder management:

• Build strategic relationships with senior leaders (institutional, public, private etc.) within the region to understand their objectives and drivers. Ensure effective connections between key stakeholders in the region, EPSRC colleagues and the EPSRC’s senior leadership team

Knowledge and portfolio management:

• Act as a domain expert within EPSRC on matters relating to the region and ensure that regional knowledge informs EPSRC’s strategy and delivery.
• Document regional case studies and impact stories to demonstrate the successful outcomes of EPSRC funding over the longer term.
• Develop a high-level overview of EPSRC investments within the region.
• Promote EPSRC’s funding opportunities and initiatives, to increase the levels of local awareness, engagement and take-up.

Place:

• Work with the team of EPSRC Heads of Regional Engagement to implement the EPSRC approach to Place.

Other Responsibilities:

• Communicate and work with other EPSRC colleagues, developing and implementing relevant policies and approaches.
• Take on other responsibilities or projects within the Partnerships Directorate / wider EPSRC as required.

Job Requirements

Skills and Qualities:

• Effective leadership skills, including ability to;
  • Motivate internal and external stakeholders to deliver corporate goals
  • Lead the development and implementation of new ideas and approaches, including positively challenging established thinking
  • Work autonomously, setting own goals and priorities
• Excellent relationship and stakeholder management skills, including ability to;
  • Establish effective working relationships and networks, internally and externally, with a wide range of organisations at a senior level
  • Navigate and influence divergent interests and motivations across internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, both oral and written

Knowledge and Experience:

• In depth understanding of the UK research and innovation system and the political context within which EPSRC operates, including;
  • EPSRC and UKRI strategies and priorities
  • How EPSRC/UKRI fits into the wider UK landscape
  • UK and Scottish Government strategies and priorities for research and innovation
• Experience working at the interface between universities and other regional stakeholders, including;
  • Extensive understanding of university research
  • Experience working with a range of organisations to feed into policy development
  • Evidence of ability to facilitate collaboration between stakeholders
• Excellent knowledge of processes for commissioning, and evaluating the impact of, research and innovation

In return UKRI can offer the successful candidate:

- Flexible Working

- 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays

- Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme

- Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider

For more information and to apply, please visit our Careers Pages.

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