Head of Engagement - UKRI Research %26 Development Missions (RDMP) Hub

Economic and Social Research Council

Head of Engagement - UKRI Research & Development Missions (RDMP) Hub

Salary: £56,745

Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 0.8 FTE)

Contract Type: Open-Ended. We have secured funding until 31 March 2026 and during that time we will be bidding for investment until 2030.

Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire

Grade: UKRI Band F

Context:

The Research & Development Mission Programme (RDMP) is a new, targeted UKRI programme designed to support the Government’s National Missions and support delivery of the milestones in the Government’s Plan for Change. The primary objective of the RDMP is to fund targeted research and innovation (R&I), including technology development, to solve critical problems unique to each mission to improve people’s lives and create growth. An initial investment of £25 million was announced in the autumn budget, with UKRI leading, in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Government Mission teams, on focussed Research and Innovation (R&I) Challenges to respond to and develop solutions for the Problems in each Mission.

Job Purpose:

ESRC, as the council supporting the UKRI coordinating team, are seeking a Head of Engagement who will work collaboratively across UKRI to develop and deliver the RDMP’s engagement strategy. As part of the UKRI RDMP Hub you will be focussed on coordinating and expanding the programme’s engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders across UKRI, wider government, and beyond. You will do this by establishing effective information sharing mechanisms and by developing a suite of high-level material which articulates the role of the RDMP within UKRI. You will also build an understanding of existing engagement activities across UKRI, including at a senior level, and work to connect these into the activities of the RDMP.

Key Responsibilities:

To achieve this, you will be responsible for leading, overseeing and managing activities in the following areas. This is not a comprehensive list, and we may require that you adapt to, and undertake, other duties within the UKRI RDMP Hub commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post (especially while the Hub is under development). You will also be a member of the RDMP Hub’s Senior Leadership Team.

1. Engagement strategy and delivery: You will develop, lead and deliver the programme’s overall engagement strategy which supports UKRI and wider government ambitions. This will involve exploring and establishing novel mechanisms to engage collectively with key stakeholders on the work of the Missions programme. You will be the main point of contact for engagement within the RDMP and will work to establish ways of working which fulfil the objectives of the RDMP’s engagement strategy. You will need to work flexibly, proactively and reactively to adapt to a complex and changeable policy and research context. This will include assessment of risks, development of solutions, and taking responsibility for outcomes.
2. Managing engagement partnerships: You will foster proactive collaborative working between the engagement arms of the programme’s various partners. This will involve working closely with other engagement and communications teams across UKRI and government in order to share intelligence and promote cross-team working. By doing this you will deliver a high-quality, timely and coordinated approach to engagement which maximises the benefits of our combined expertise and resources and articulates a consistent corporate narrative for the RDMP.
3. Stakeholder management and supporting senior engagement: You will act as a representative for the RDMP both internally and externally and will work to grow new networks and communities of stakeholders. You will regulate relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure they understand the programme’s vision, strategy, and impact. You will be a source of strategic advice and information to support the RDMP Programme Director’s own external engagement along with that of other RDMP members, such as Challenge Directors. This may include supporting the management of high-profile, urgent and sensitive activities.

Key Relationships:

As well as growing new networks and communities of stakeholders, you will also need to develop and maintain relationships with:

• UKRI RDMP Hub Senior Leadership Team, including the Programme Director, Head of Programme Management, and Head of Strategy
• UKRI RDMP Hub Senior Data Analyst
• Wider UKRI and government communications and engagement teams
• Research & Innovation (R&I) Challenge Directors
• Council Delivery Leads
• ESRC Executive Chair, and other UKRI Executive Chairs
• Oversight Board
• Government Mission teams
• DSIT sponsorship team supporting RDMP

Shortlisting and Interview Criteria:

Essential:

• Proven ability of leading in an engagement or communications role in a complex environment.
• Demonstrable strategic vision to own and advance a coordinated and coherent engagement strategy.
• Ability to build, manage, and sustain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, including internal teams and external political organisations.
• Proven track record of successfully implementing stakeholder engagement approaches.
• Experience working across multiple teams, integrating diverse viewpoints, and establishing mechanisms for information sharing.
• Proficiency in preparing and delivering strategic briefings and advice to senior leaders and crafting high-level communications.
• Strong knowledge of the UK research and innovation landscape, understanding of the context in which UKRI operates and knowledge of the way in which government, commercial, and third-sector organisations function.
• Experience of balancing competing priorities and working to deadlines in a fast-paced and changing policy context.

Desirable:

• A passion for, and commitment to, the importance of meaningful public engagement in science, and the drive to close the gap with how this work is valued and embedded across research and innovation activities.

· Experience of using research to address policy challenges, working collaboratively with relevant policy, government, industry or other stakeholders.

About the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

The ESRC is the UK’s largest funder of economic, social, behavioural and human data science. It supports the development and training of the UK’s future social scientists and funds major studies that provide the infrastructure for research. ESRC-funded research informs policy-makers and practitioners and helps make businesses, voluntary bodies and other organisations more effective.

For more information about ESRC, please visit https://esrc.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 at UK Research and Innovation (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.