The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Deputy Head of Early Career Researcher Network to join our Early Career Researcher Network team in the Research Directorate, providing key support in the delivery of the Early Career Researcher Network until the end of February 2024.

You can find out more about the British Academy here, including our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The Deputy Head of the Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) team leads on the delivery and management of the Early Career Researcher Network at the Academy. The role works closely with other members of the Early Career Researcher Network team (currently four people) and colleagues across the British Academy. The friendly ECRN Team is, part of the Academy’s Research Directorate comprising of the ECRN, Research Funding, and international teams. As a team and directorate, we take great pride in supporting Early Career Researchers through the Network and our funded schemes both nationally and internationally. We do this by providing grant funding and training opportunities to allow ECRs to develop professionally and personally, enabling them to be competitive in the job market and excel in the sector.

The Deputy Head of the ECRN manages and supports the Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) team and an allocated budget (in excess of £500k pa) to lead and deliver the Academy’s programme of activities as part of the Network for social sciences and humanities researchers across the UK.   In this role you will apply your knowledge and experience to lead and manage the staffing and budgetary resources allocated to the Network. You design, commission, and oversee the delivery of a breadth of engaging activities and events for the ECRN (informed by insights from data and the ECRs), and develop routes to communicate with ECRs inside and outside the Network. You will also lead the engagement with universities and other sector bodies to explore the issues and challenges facing ECRs and advise on and implement opportunities for the Network to respond.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership of the Early Career Researcher Network

• Lead the design, development and implementation of systems and tasks necessary to establish and deliver a successful ECRN.

• Review progress towards delivering the Network aims and objectives, using judgement to identify and implement change as necessary.

• Lead the development of systems and processes for documentation and data, establishing monitoring and reporting processes, communication flows, and embedding feedback and learning.

• Identify, explore and take forward new opportunities for the Network.

• Lead the scoping, creation, commissioning and roll-out of a range of support and training opportunities for ECRN members.

• Lead on identifying new opportunities for the Network and respond effectively to challenges that may arise in the delivery of the ECRN.

Operational Management of the Early Career Researcher Network

• Lead on the daily delivery and management of the Network.

• Manage the budget allocated for Network activities, including payments, financial monitoring and reporting.

• Ensure the Network aims and objectives are proceeding according to scope, schedule, budget and quality standard.

• Work closely with the regional partners, providing guidance and directing their activities to ensure timescales and requirements are met.

• Provide progress reports and updates to internal groups and Committees, including an ECRN Advisory Group.

• Establish and coordinate effective communication flows to and from Network members that inform the development of the Network and its activities and enable the Academy to build beneficial relationships.

Manage the work of the ECRN Membership Officer, ECRN Officer and ECRN Assistant who have responsibility for supporting the delivery of the ECRN.

• Set objectives and manage the work of the ECRN team, ensuring they are performing effectively and efficiently and to support them in their professional development and progression.

• Motivate and supervise the ECRN Membership Officer, ECRN Officer and ECRN Assistant work Assistant to ensure they are performing effectively and efficiently and to support them with their professional development and progression.

Communication and Engagement

• Establish and nurture relationships with other funders, stakeholders, and with ECRs so that the Network can be successfully supported and delivered, and the visibility of the Academy is increased.

• Lead on stakeholder engagement, informing the overarching ECR Network Strategy, engaging with both internal and external stakeholders and using judgement to address enquires. 

• Be the primary contact with the universities partnering with the Academy as regional Hubs, chairing regular meetings, providing guidance and reviewing their activities to ensure timescales and requirements are met. 

• Ensure effective communication flows to and from Network members that inform the development of the Network and its activities and enable the Academy to build beneficial relationships.

• Prepare and deliver written and oral reports and updates to internal and external groups and committees, including Senior Managers, ECRN Advisory Group, as well as partners and stakeholders across the sector.

• Represent the Academy and give presentations on the Network at external meetings, as required. 

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal

• Research Directorate staff – ECRN Team

• Director of Research and other members of the SMT 

• Communications Directorate

• Vice-Presidents for Research and HE Policy and International (Foreign Secretary)  

External

• ECRN members

• Regional Delivery Partners

• Fellows

• External Funders

• Learned Societies and Subject Associations

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively.

• Ability to work with colleagues to build an effective and collaborative project team.

• Experience building productive and collaborative relationships with senior colleagues, gaining buy-in and cooperation, and the ability to bring together and motivate people from different parts of a complex organisation. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 

• Professional, confident, open-minded and enthusiastic outlook when dealing with a variety of people internally and externally.

• Is sensitive to different working styles and views, adapting where appropriate.

• Is willing and able to compromise and negotiate, including to resolve possible conflicts.

• Handles difficult situations with sensitivity & respect.

• Diplomatic and tactful, cognisant of different cultural contexts

• Confident in networking with colleagues at comparator organisations to share best practice

• Encourages commitment & positivity in self and others.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills.

• Experience of strategic engagement with universities and researchers in a UK context.

• Knowledge of the UK higher education research landscape and system.

• Knowledge of existing university and funder consortia, including those aimed at PGRs, ECRs and with a geographical focus.

• Knowledge of the funding landscape in the UK for early career researchers and organisations that offer training and development opportunities.

• Experience of presenting information and writing for diverse audiences.

• High level of literacy, numeracy and IT skills. 

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives.

• Strong organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. 

• Ability to use tact and diplomacy and to handle confidential information,

• Keeps relevant colleagues informed and seeks input.

• Takes ownership of tasks, including delegating effectively where appropriate.

• Willing to work flexibly within changing priorities. 

• Results-focused attitude. 

• Confident, enthusiastic, pro-active open-minded attitude to work. 

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach.

• Excellent problem solving skills, ensuring good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach. 

• Ability to meet deadlines under pressure, accurately and with attention to detail, often balancing conflicting priorities. 

• Positive attitude to challenges and co-operation with colleagues. 

• Track record of successfully delivering projects to tight deadlines. 

LEADERSHIP

Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions.

• Experience in leading and developing teams.

• Skilled at providing appropriate challenge, support and development to direct reports.

• Able to operate at a strategic level as well as being hands-on in events delivery, when required.

• Ability to work on own initiative, but also to work as part of a team. 

• Ability to provide leadership to others, as well as to work pro-actively and independently with minimum day to day input from the line manager.

• Flexible and pragmatic approach. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Must have the right to work in the UK.

• Commitment to high quality service and efficiency in all aspects of the organisation’s operations

• Evidenced commitment to equality and diversity

• Willing to travel on British Academy business

• Able to be flexible about working hours on occasion

• Personal commitment to the values, vision and objectives of the organisation  

BRITISH ACADEMY WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview, and will incorporate a technical skills test.

Please note that you may be asked to reference any literature that you may refer to, as applications that are highly plagiarised and not your own work. e.g. ChatGPT, will be declined.