The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Membership and Training Assistant to join the Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) team, supporting the delivery of our inclusive, researcher-led network for early career researchers working across the SHAPE disciplines.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The ECRN Membership and Training Assistant will play a key role in providing administrative support for the Early Career Research Network. The role holder will work closely with the ECRN team and will interact with researchers, universities and other stakeholders, as well as academic Fellows and colleagues from across the Academy.

You will support the ECRN Membership Manager in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Network’s membership function. Key responsibilities include monitoring membership workflows, responding to member enquiries in a timely and professional manner, and serving as a primary point of contact for early career researchers interested in joining the Network.  

The primary focus of this role will be managing membership and data-related activities, but you will also be providing administrative and logistical support for the Leadership and Advancement Programme and wider Network as required.

You will be confident using Microsoft Office programmes daily, such as Outlook, Excel and Teams and will be supporting with online events through Zoom. You will have to keep membership records up-to-date on our CRM database, Salesforce and communicate with our members.

The role holder will gain a proficient understanding of our membership policies and procedures and support the management of our online community platform.

You will be expected to travel across the UK from time to time to attend events and meetings with our delivery partners and other key stakeholders where appropriate.

https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/early-career-researcher-network/

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

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. ECRN Membership

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to manage and administer the ECRN Membership portfolio

• Support in designing and implementing effective membership recruitment, retention, and management processes and systems and contribute to the wider team’s development and implementation of appropriate and efficient working systems, policies and processes, taking responsibility for finding solutions to operational problems that may arise (where possible.)

2. Data Management, Reporting and Monitoring

• Monitor and undertake eligibility checks of new registrations to the network, leading on communications to new members.

• Support in maintaining and sharing membership records with internal and external partners and stakeholders for the wider Network and the Leadership and Advancement programme.

• Support with obtaining high quality data for monitoring and evaluation purposes for both the wider Network and the Leadership and Advancement programme.

• Update contact information on the CRM database (Salesforce) to ensure our membership details are up to date.

• Support the ECRN Membership Manager in gathering data and statistics on the wider Network and the Leadership and Advancement programme for internal and external meetings such as the Governance Board meetings.

• Distribute and gather feedback surveys for the wider Network and the Leadership and Advancement programme.

 3. Administrative Support for the ECR Network Team

• Deliver the administrative systems and processes for ECR Network reporting, both internally and externally.

• Monitor emails received via the ECR Network inbox from researchers, universities, Academy Fellows and others, preparing and leading on timely and appropriate responses, seeking advice from colleagues where necessary and logging all interactions via the CRM.

• Engage with internal stakeholders and disseminate key information, ensuring effective communication about the Network and its activities is shared across the team and with wider staff.

• Take meeting minutes during internal and external meetings

• Assist the Training and Development Officer with administrative support across the Leadership and Advancement programme such as booking travel and accommodation, booking rooms for meetings and events and sending out written communications to participants.

4. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement.

• Send weekly communications to all Network members, providing information on upcoming events, opportunities and activities.

• Manage queries around the online community platform, working with the platform’s support team to assist researchers with platform engagement.

• Support the management of the online community platform, approving new members and keeping the prepopulated user list up to date.

• Support the Encourage and Engage programme, communicating with Fellows of the British Academy and researchers, delivering the programme annually.

 5. ECR Network Events Support

• Support when required with planning and promotion of the Leadership and Advancement programme online and in person events.

• Attend ECR Network events both in person and online when required.

Key Stakeholders

Internal: Vice President Research and Higher Education; Director of Research; members of the ECRN team; members of the Research, Policy, M&E, Communications and Development directorates; Fellows; ECRN Governance Board.

External: Early Career Researchers; Regional Partners; Learned Societies and Subject Associations; Travel booking company; Event venues; Leadership and Advancement Course providers and other stakeholders.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

• Displays a positive and professional working attitude

• Demonstrates respect, empathy and patience when dealing with internal and external stakeholders

• Knows when to lead and when to follow directives and support others in tasks

• Promotes a positive impression of the Academy both internally and externally

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Actively demonstrates the willingness to strengthen any pre-existing higher education sector knowledge

• Is receptive to new ideas and change, adapting own ways of working as appropriate 

• Is willing to contribute to team discussion and put forward ideas for improvements

• Is aware of own strengths and weaknesses, and prepared to admit own mistakes 

• Can follow instructions to accurately complete tasks, demonstrating attention to detail

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

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

• Displays resilience in coping with workload during busy periods

• Takes pride in tasks and ensures tasks are completed to a high standard

• Is highly organised with excellent time management skills

• Keeps relevant colleagues informed with effective communication 

• Takes ownership of tasks and knows when to escalate 

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Is flexible and adaptable when it comes to ensuring tasks are carried out effectively and efficiently

• Has a pro-active, can do, attitude, taking personal responsibility whilst knowing when to ask for advice and/or escalate

• Focuses on solutions and works openly   

• Displays confidence and motivation in behaviour and duties

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must be committed to equality and diversity

• Willing to travel on British Academy business, including overnight stays, within UK

• Demonstrates flexibility with working hours on occasion.

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 not progress to the next stage.

The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on 3 September 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 29 September 2025 but this may be subject to change.