The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Deputy Head of Higher Education Policy to join our Higher Education and Research Policy team, providing key support in the delivery of education and skills policy activities

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The Deputy Head will support the leadership of the Higher Education and Research Policy team, a collaborative, productive and high-performing part of the Academy’s Policy Directorate alongside the Public Policy Team and the Global Strategy, Policy and Engagement team. We work to position the Academy as a thought leader on higher education and research policy, engaging in evidence-based policy to influence the health and vibrancy of our disciplines.

You will lead in managing the delivery of the Academy’s higher education, teaching and skills activity. You will have specific responsibility for these themes and activities, leading Senior and Junior Policy Advisers to create research and policy projects which offer insight into current and future critical policy issues in the higher education system. Current and planned work includes assessments on relationship between post-16 choice, higher education degree, and graduate outcomes; analytical maps of cold spots in SHAPE provision; the strategic importance of languages to the UK; and the role of skills – including AI – in UK economic strategy. In leading this work, you will need to engage with critical stakeholders in the education landscape, including the Office for Students and the Department for Education.

You will have a critical role in supporting the Head of Policy to lead a growing and successful team in delivering impactful work which champions the SHAPE disciplines. With line management responsibility for a Senior Policy Adviser, you will need to take a proactive and collaborative approach in developing and implementing creative ideas and concepts in policy research and analysis. Joining an enthusiastic, close team of policy experts, the postholder is expected to work with the wider policy teams and across the Academy to help tailor our higher education policy work to the strategic objectives of the organisation.

The ideal candidate will have a strong education policy background and be excited to shape and contribute to our higher education policy activities. We are looking for someone proactive and collaborative in their approach to developing and implementing creative ideas and concepts in policy research and analysis.

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

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Leadership

• Work collaboratively and proactively in supporting the Head of Policy (HE & Research) in leading the Academy’s high-profile work in this area, and deputise for them as necessary.

• Manage and develop the team’s Senior Policy Advisers and support them in the wider management of all team members with a focus on skills development.

• Be responsible for the proactive identification, planning, management, oversight, and delivery of education and skills policy activities, outputs and communications, including engagement with the Academy’s governance processes as appropriate.

• Be the secretariat for at least one high-profile governance Committee, and steering groups for owned projects. Work with the Chair (as appointed) to effectively develop and manage relationships with members to ensure success.

2. Research and Analysis

• Be the Academy’s acknowledged expert in education and skills policy, leading programmes of work in this area. Use this expertise to advise and support the Director of Policy, the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team, relevant Academy Officers, Council and Committees as appropriate.

• Maintain and continue to build expertise in topics related to education and skills, monitoring and reviewing external developments and identifying opportunities for policy and programme development.

• Research, evaluate and interpret complex policy issues using quantitative and qualitative methods with a variety of data sources. Proactively and reactively propose new areas of research based on team planning and policy developments and advise on suitable methods and approaches to achieve successful outcomes

3. Producing policy outputs and outcomes

• Lead on all Academy responses to higher education and skills policy developments, including proactive policy programmes, government and stakeholder consultations, select committee enquiries, etc.

• Commission, oversee and manage project-based consultants / researchers as necessary, ensuring work is delivered to standard and in a timely manner.

• Work with Junior and Senior Policy Advisers in the team to produce policy outputs from research, including reviewing and constructively developing policy work, acting as quality assurance for work.

4. Stakeholder engagement

• Engage effectively with the interests, strategies and policies of stakeholders, to advance the development, visibility and impact of the HE & Research programme, including working with committees, steering and advisory groups and the Academy’s fellowship as appropriate.

• Develop and maintain partnerships with external bodies, where appropriate and represent the Academy at appropriate meetings and events, presenting the Academy’s views and positions.

• Work with the wider Academy and the other UK national academies on specific projects and initiatives, supporting and leading as necessary, to ensure a joined-up approach.

5. Strategy and Planning

• Support the Head of Policy (HE & Research) in planning and managing the operational delivery of the team’s programme, including managing and developing the HE & Research Policy Team.

• Be responsible, with the team Head, for the management of the higher education and research programme budget, including monitoring, forecasting and reporting to budget holders.

• Work as part of the Policy Directorate leadership team to contribute to the ongoing development, implementation and monitoring of the Policy Directorate Strategic Plan, and of the higher education and research work strand within it; including the development of monitoring and evaluation tools to benchmark and assess impact, and the identification and development of synergies across the Academy’s policy activity.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal:

Media and Public Affairs; Public Policy Team; Global Strategy, Policy and Engagement team; Lead Fellow for Languages; Lead Fellow for Skills.

External:

Including but not limited to other National Academies; the Office for Students; the Department for Education; Skills England; APPG on Modern Languages.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

None

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

• Proactive in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with others internally, particularly in working with committees and working groups, and with academics, to increase engagement in policy work.

• Strong facilitation and negotiation skills, and an ability to influence at senior levels, managing issues that may arise in complex situations.

• Can strategically build and maintain effective relationships with, and work in partnership with, other organisations in the higher education or SHAPE community.

• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards helping others by providing appropriate support, using initiative and not waiting to be asked.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Can demonstrate a strong knowledge of the UK higher education and skills landscape, including but not limited to the practices of higher education funding, the Teaching Excellence Framework; qualifications and regulation; graduate outcomes and LEO data. Comprehension of the context for SHAPE disciplines is desirable.

• Has excellent quantitative and qualitative research and analytical skills, particularly in relation to providing a robust evidence base for policy development.

• Adopts a communication style appropriate to the situation and the audience, in both written and oral communications, including delivery of presentations, data analysis and report production.

• Aware of own strengths and weaknesses, seeks and uses opportunities to learn and develop, and is quick in picking up new tasks.

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

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

• Proven success in planning, managing and delivering policy projects, taking ownership of tasks, including delegating effectively where appropriate.

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

• Monitors progress effectively and adapts plans where needed, evaluating and reflecting on delivery to apply learning to future planning.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Creative and strategic thinker, with the capacity to deal with complex issues and ambiguity.

• Sets the right balance between referring decisions to the appropriate level and taking things forward without referral.

• Able to use tact and diplomacy and to handle confidential information.

LEADERSHIP

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

• A motivating, respectful and collaborative line manager and leader who enjoys working with others to deliver successful, high-quality work.

• An assured, open-minded, and positive outlook with a constructive attitude to challenges and sharing knowledge and skills with others.

• Professional and confident approach when dealing with a variety of people.

• Able to work independently, and as part of a wider team.

OTHER

• Is flexible about working hours on occasions;

• Willing to travel on British Academy business when required.

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 may involve a task component.

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.

The deadline for applications is noon on 27 January 2025, however, we may close this role sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.  In these circumstances we will give those who have shown interest 24 hours notice of the change of deadline.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 11 February 2025 but this may be subject to change.