Head of Science Base and Careers Policy

What you will be achieving

• Harnessing the Academy’s strengths (including our Fellowship and wider networks) to inform and drive change that supports our vision of good health for all supported by the best research and evidence.
• Building on our track record of influencing and informing policy and policymakers across public, private and third sectors regarding health research and research careers, which underpins our mission and our reputation.
• Providing the evidence base, connections and coordination to inform the strategic priorities of organisations across the public, private and charitable sectors to ensure that the UK has a world-leading health research environment (“science base”), underpinned by research careers and a research culture that attracts and retains a diverse and effective research workforce.

What you will be doing

• Leading the implementation (across the Academy) of our strategic priority to support UK biomedical and health research to strengthen its global competitiveness and reputation in a way that aligns with our values and exploits synergies with our other strategic priorities. Advising the Academy’s Council and SLT of key gaps and opportunities.
• Maximising the impact of our work to inform and influence evidence-based decision-making in Government and other key organisations across the public, private and charitable sector.
• Leading the Science base and careers policy team of four staff that develop and deliver these programmes and working in partnership with other parts of the Academy that underpin our success.
• Building strategic, collaborative and sustained relationships with individuals and organisations across the health and wider research sectors.
• Developing innovative approaches to the Academy’s work to support evidence-based decision-making and embedding new approaches to monitoring and evaluation.
• As a member of the Academy’s Leadership Team (the Academy’s Directors and Heads), inform and deliver the Academy’s priorities, including our organisational change programme, measurement and reporting of impact and contributing to securing funding for the Academy’s activities.
• Ensuring that the Academy’s SLT and Honorary Officers are engaging at the highest levels in Government, Parliament and with external stakeholders and that they are comprehensively briefed on complex issues and advised on opportunities and options for influence.
• Representing the Academy externally (including on Government advisory groups) and deputising for the Director, Executive Director and the Academy’s Honorary Officers.

What you will bring to the role

• Understanding of the UK science base and associated careers, ideally in health or life sciences, and the associated policy landscape.
• Ability to gather and synthesise complex information to support decision-making.
• Experience of sustained and productive relationships with peers outside of one’s own organisation.
• An established reputation in health or research policy and/or experience of working within, or closely with, Government or research funders (including medical research charities) in a policy role would be an advantage.
• Experience of managing staff.

Benefits

• Salary progression framework.
• Hybrid and agile working.
• 29 days annual leave including Christmas closure dates, plus bank holidays.
• Pension (the Academy contributes 7.5% of gross salary to a pension scheme, with an employee contribution of 3%).
• Life assurance.
• Season ticket travel loan (interest free).
• Family friendly benefits (enhanced maternity and paternity leave, coaching for parents returning to work).
• Subscription to Headspace and Class pass.
• Staff training to support your development including EDI training.

If you would like to discuss the role, please contact the People & Culture team.

For more information and to apply online, please click the apply button.

Closing date: 5.00pm on Monday, 22 July 2024.

Interview date: w/c 29 July 2024.