associate director operations manager Swindon, Wiltshire, South West England, England
Job description
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) - Head Office
Associate Director, Governance and Funding Operations
Salary: £61,227 per annum.
Grade: Band G
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire./Hybrid
Closing date: 4th September 2023
Purpose of the role
The Associate Director, Governance and Funding Operations proactively sets direction and leads a range of activities related to funding policy, grant operations, operational data and analysis, risk management, governance and assurance. The role drives and champions innovation in business processes, both as part of NERC’s ways of working and in conjunction with UKRI’s Operating Model and Simpler and Better Funding programme. This role leads the delivery of efficient and effective grant operations and robust governance at NERC, which is essential to enable the delivery of NERC’s strategic ambitions set out in the NERC Strategic Delivery Plan.
The role brings together and provides leadership to a team with a broad range of professional expertise, ranging from grants management, grants policy and operational data analysts, to governance managers and risk specialists, delivering services and support to teams across NERC Head Office. The role engages widely with strategy and policy colleagues to ensure operational plans and results support and enable strategic ambitions.
The role reports to the NERC Deputy Executive Chair and has a high level of interaction with NERC’s senior leaders including NERC’s Executive Chair and Directors, NERC Management Board, NERC Assurance Board, as well as senior partners in the UKRI Corporate Hub, other UKRI Councils, and in the external community.
Key Areas of Accountability
Responsibilities
- Advocate, support and drive improvement in NERC’s business processes; engage with and lead the translation of new processes and systems designed through the Simpler Better Funding Programme.
- Lead and encourage a varied team to deliver strategically focused grant operations and governance activities, promoting professional excellence, innovation, flexibility and expert services. Deliver a high quality, timely and adaptable function, which combines horizon scanning and strong planning so we are able to react to urgent/immediate requirements.
- Build positive networks and trusted relationships across NERC and UKRI that support well-run grant operations, making sure we learn and improve NERC operations over time.
- As NERC’s lead for research funding policy, peer review college management and data policies, lead NERC’s engagement with relevant UKRI policy and operations groups, including: UKRI Funding Policy Operations Group, Grants Business as Usual Group, UKRI Data Portfolio Board and UKRI Data Steward.
- Be responsible for the successful operation of NERC Council and other key governance groups (Science Committee, NERC Management Board, NERC Assurance Board), forming effective links with board members, proactively running the business of Council, supporting the Senior Independent Member, leading the cyclical review of Council effectiveness, and supervising the future recruitment of members.
- Be responsible for coordinating NERC’s assurance activities including chairing the NERC Head Office Assurance panel, ensuring that robust assurance and internal control systems are implemented in line with UKRI’s overarching control framework. Work with the UK Research and Innovation Director of Governance, Assurance and Risk to ensure the implementation of effective corporate governance and robust integrated risk management to deliver strategic priorities.
- Be responsible for embedding sustainability and equality, diversity and inclusion good practice in NERC’s operations, supporting NERC net zero commitments and the NERC Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.
- Work closely with NERC’s Senior Finance Business Partner to develop NERC’s efficiency plans and narrative.
- Provide visible and active leadership across NERC’s Head Office and particularly in the Business Delivery and Insight directorate.
- Deputise for the Deputy Executive Chair as required including at the UKRI People, Finance and Operations Committee, NERC Council, NERC Assurance Board, NERC Management Board, Simpler Better Funding Programme Board.
Essential skills, qualifications & experience
Essential:
- Excellent leadership and organisational change skills with the ability to encourage, motivate and develop capability to deliver high-quality outcomes. Experience of governance and/or operations/ funding policy in a context relevant to research or innovation; demonstrable experience of continuous improvement and organisational change
- Strong communication skills and a proven track record of delivering in collaboration across a complex organisation and working with external and internal partners, leading to tangible, strategic outcomes.
- Experience of delivering high quality project management and/ or operational delivery at a strategic level including financial management and evaluation.
- Credibility with relevant communities; experience of working with senior level stakeholders in an operational context.
- Able to produce high quality written and verbal advice suitable for executive and senior level decision makers.
- Educated to degree level or appropriate knowledge/experience.
Desirable:
- Public or third sector experience.
- Knowledge and experience of relevant UKRI and Councils strategy, business, policy, expert domains and stakeholders.
- Grants operations experience
- Able to demonstrate flexibility in working approach to meet changing business priorities.
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact [email protected]
About Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
NERC is the UK's leading funder of environmental science. Our scientists study and monitor the physical, chemical and biological processes on which our planet and life itself depends – from pole to pole, to the deep Earth and oceans, to the atmosphere and space. The science we fund has impact across all sectors. It provides a platform for future UK prosperity by contributing to a safe, healthy, productive nation. Many programmes involve collaborations with national and international partners to tackle large-scale environmental science challenges, including those faced by developing countries.
As well as research, innovation and training are supported from the NERC core budget. There are exciting emerging opportunities from cross-UKRI funds to develop interdisciplinary programmes enabling environmental researchers to lead and collaborate in major projects. This advances knowledge and has significant potential for delivering economic impact.
For more information about NERC, see: https://nerc.ukri.org
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.
