Director of Policy & Skills, National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD)

We are looking for a talented individual to join our team at the UK's National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) as Director of Policy and Skills, where you will play a strategic role in developing the Centre's activities. As Professor / Professor of Practice, you will bring real-world expertise and your professional network to further develop our offer to students.

The National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) is hosted by Newcastle University and bridges the data skills gap by transferring practical data science and AI expertise directly into the UK workforce through collaborative projects. To date, it has delivered over 170 successful projects with organisations of all sizes, across a wide range of sectors, delivering measurable impact to the regional economy. It also contributes to teaching at Newcastle University by offering experiential learning programmes to students based on these real-world projects.

The Role

This is an excellent opportunity to join the UK's National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) as a member of the leadership team. You will play a strategic role in developing the Centre's policy and skills activities to improve productivity through data and AI by transferring ‘in demand' data science and AI skills into UK organisations. You will also lead on exploiting NICD's expertise to develop Newcastle University's skills offer to students.

You will develop close links to national and regional AI skills policy makers so as to influence national and regional government policy. In this role you will enable them to develop more effective policy by exploiting NICD's track record in delivering impactful skills programmes to industry. You will lead bids to secure investment in programmes that deliver against AI Skills policies. Where investment is secured, you will design programmes and manage their delivery by the NICD team. A key aspect of delivery will be the integration of rigorous, pedagogically-sound programme evaluation to ensure continuous improvement and to influence future policy development.

You should be professionally qualified with a PhD or equivalent experience, along with significant relevant management and leadership experience in the area of data and/or AI skills. You will be able to show proven success in this area. You will act as a visible role model and must have experience of fostering a culture of trust and mutual respect to develop teamworking and leadership skills across a team. You must be excited to challenge yourself and to continue to advance your own skill set as well as supporting the development of the team's skill set. Enthusiasm, empathy and a positive attitude are essential to the success of the role.

We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment. This position is available immediately and is offered on a full-time basis. We would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible and/or blended working. We appoint on merit and particularly welcome applications from groups that are currently underrepresented in Technical Professional Services.

For any specific questions relating to the job advert, please get in touch:

Georgia Carr - georgia.carr@newcastle.ac.uk
Barry Hodgson - barry.hodgson@newcastle.ac.uk

For more information about the National Innovation Centre for Data, please click the following link: https://ncl.ac.uk/nicd/

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