Programme Co-ordinator: Science in Public Life

Job Scope

The Royal Society’s mission is to recognise, promote and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. To deliver this, the Society must engage effectively with decision makers and promote the flow of knowledge and people across the science-policy interface. The Programme Co-ordinator for the Science in Public Life programme works with the Senior Programme Manager, Public Affairs team and Head of Public Affairs to increase the influence of the Royal Society on policy making, and to provide opportunities for science and scientists to inform policy and policymakers.

They will lead various projects, including organising workshops, events and meetings, and work with the Senior Programme Manager and one or more Public Affairs Advisers to support other activities.

They will also develop external briefings, conceive and deliver workshops and other meetings as well as work with senior management, Fellows, Research Fellows, the Society’s Vice Presidents, parliamentarians and civil servants. They will also contribute to the overall development of the Public Affairs team and its delivery of its objectives, including budget and impact tracking.

Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Reports to: Senior Programme Manager, Science in Public Life

Line manages: NA

Pay band: C

Salary: £38,745

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week, able to be flexible and work outside standard office hours as required

Location: Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG plus the option for some hybrid remote working

Closing date for applications: Midnight 24 April 2025

Interviews will be held: W/C 12 May 2025

Responsibilities

• Lead, execute and support the delivery of multiple projects across the suite of workstreams within the Science in Public Life programme under the supervision of a senior member of the team. This includes:
• Creating and updating programme and project plans, setting up meetings, writing minutes and agendas for meetings.
• Drafting event briefings and managing the design of external facing material.
• Organising the logistics for internal and external policy-related events. This involves liaising with the Society’s internal conferencing and events department, arranging catering, sending out invitations, managing the delegate list, on the day registration, preparing relevant material for the event and processing expenses.
• Management of day-to-day financial activities such as raising purchase orders, paying invoices, dealing with expenses claims, tracking spending accurately and keeping spend within budget for the team.
• Providing support such as working with the marketing, communications, and website teams to promote policy work to key stakeholders.
• Monitor delivery of the Science for Public Life programme, including reporting on progress against key milestones, identifying risks to delivery, and keeping information management and other project documents up to date.
• Support the Public Affairs team in running the annual pairing scheme and Week in Westminster.
• Support the Head of Public Affairs and the Public Affairs team with Public Affairs projects and research.
• Act as finance lead for the Public Affairs team: review monthly expenditures and income, and lead on forecasting and budgeting co-ordination.
• Build effective working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Building national and international networks of contacts with policymakers, scientists, and other stakeholders at all levels of seniority.
• Carry out other corporate functions, and work across teams in Science Policy for the delivery of thematic components of the Science in Public Life programme and other relevant work as required.

Key Knowledge and Skills Required

• Experienced in project management with at least two years' experience in academia or policymaking.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to write for and engage with a variety of audiences.
• An understanding of policy and public affairs.
• Ability to liaise with colleagues and external stakeholders at the highest level.
• Able to convey complex and sensitive information and ideas effectively.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage conflicting deadlines.
• Ability to work under own initiative, contribute new ideas and put them in place, as well as work effectively in a team.
• Knowledge of office systems and procedures, and willingness to learn how to use new systems.
• Experience of financial and management reporting.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent.

Competencies

Self-management

Works unsupervised and can motivate self; produces results under pressure; can manage in stressful situations; pushes for the best results.

Working with others

Contributes ideas and identifies opportunities to work with others both within the team and across the organisation; willing to provide feedback to sectional colleagues when requested; produces succinct presentations and papers for senior colleagues; understands when to seek senior advice on potentially delicate negotiations.

Resource management

Makes the best of internal/external resources and coordinates well with external partners to best meet the needs of the Society; builds contingency into projects taking into account possible outside factors; sets and monitors performance against quality and results orientated targets; focuses on both short and long-term goals.

Critical thinking

Determines and clarifies the exact requirements of any situation; checks information for accuracy and raises concerns if information is inaccurate; extracts the key points succinctly, clearly and accurately; puts forward suggestions for improvement concerning current processes or systems; tries different ways of doing things to get the best results.

Adaptability

Overcomes obstacles and is not deterred by setbacks; checks assumptions and first principles and works out alternative approaches; reacts proactively to new challenges and works in a flexible manner to produce solutions; provides feedback and participates in discussions surrounding new ideas approaches or projects.

Managing people and relationships

Delegates effectively, setting clear expectations and authority; monitors results and feedbacks to team on a regular basis; recognises others’ contributions and acknowledges their limits; helps others to identify ways to improve their performance; prioritises supervisory responsibilities and carries them out in a timely fashion; understands and can identify client/stakeholder/staff needs and looks for opportunities to improve their experiences.