• Job Description

  Req#: 2500001W

  The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

  PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE EXECUTIVE CHAIR

  SALARY: £45,272 per annum
  HOURS: Full Time
  CONTRACT: Open Ended (Permanent)
  LOCATION: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire (Hybrid)
  GRADE: UKRI Band E
  CLOSING DATE: 16 Feb 25

  Purpose of the Role

  This is an exciting opportunity to support to Professor Christopher Smith in his role as AHRC Executive Chair and International Champion. The successful applicant will gain a unique insight into the Arts and Humanities research landscape, working closely the Executive Chair through the next strategic planning cycle.

  As Private Secretary, the successful applicant will be responsible for providing an overall package of support to the Executive Chair, allowing them to fulfil their strategic leadership role, supporting effective and decision-making, and operational delivery. This is a pivotal role supporting a broad-ranging, dynamic and innovative research council agenda, with leadership across UKRI, including creative industries.

  The successful applicant will manage a team of Executive Assistants who support the AHRC Executive Office. They will work closely with the AHRC COO Office and the International Office in coordinating the portfolio of the Executive Chair’s responsibilities.

  Key Areas of Accountability

  The successful applicant will be responsible for:

  • Strategic running of the Executive Office
  • Supporting the Executive Chair with strategic advice and briefing, demonstrating with a sound understanding of the objectives of AHRC, UKRI and the role of the Executive Chair
  • Effectively delivering and delegating on behalf of the Executive Chair, convening and coordinating the right people to develop solutions
  • Building and maintaining effective stakeholder networks, effectively information sharing, maintaining confidence and operating with a high level of tact, discretion and integrity
  • Working with teams across AHRC to deliver an effective programme of communications and strategic engagement for the Executive Chair and Senior Leadership Team
  • Lead a team of Executive Assistants to support the day-to-day affairs of the Office, and working closely with the wider Governance and Executive Office (GEO) team to ensure smooth running of AHRC as an organisation
  • Be a visible and approachable point of contact for AHRC staff, working collaboratively and inclusively with teams

  Process and delivery:

  • Manage information flows to and from the executive team, effectively information sharing and making sound judgements on briefing stakeholders
  • Input to AHRC’s business planning and business cycles, including major strategic outputs such as Strategic Delivery Plans and Spending Reviews
  • Oversee smooth running of meetings, arrangements, engagements, providing and cascading accurate and timely notes and actions where appropriate
  • Commission briefings, seeking expert input and advice from the relevant teams
  • Problem solve and develop effective solutions to issues arising
  • Facilitate effective engagement between the Executive Chair and AHRC staff
  • Manage the relevant resources, budgets and risks on behalf of the Executive Chair, ensuring efficiency, wellbeing and sustainability are at the forefront of considerations
  • Oversee compliance with UKRI policies and processes, including Declarations of Interest, Gifts and Hospitality, ensuring regularity, propriety and value for money
  • Work with the GEO team to provide a resilient service to the whole organisation

  Essential Skills, Qualifications and Experience

  S - ASSESSED AT SHORTLISTING

  I - ASSESSED AT INTERVIEW

  Essential Criteria:

  • Ability to work at pace, think strategically and respond to shifting priorities (S&I)
  • Ability to plan ahead and manage competing priorities (S&I)
  • Ability to solve problems with a high degree of initiative and ingenuity (S&I)
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail and accuracy (S&I)
  • Ability to see the bigger picture, understanding the mission and objectives of AHRC, its place within UKRI, wider government and research community (S&I)
  • Ability to lead a small, high-performing team, matrix manage and delegate effectively (S&I)

  Desirable Criteria:

  • Understanding the arts and humanities research sector (S&I)
  • U nderstanding of working in the public sector, in particular in a private office environment ( S&I)

  APPLICATIONS

  Online applications only for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter to the attachments section (ignore free textbox for cover letter under ‘Experience’ section) which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for 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 process.

  About The Arts and Humanities Research Council

  The AHRC supports world-class research that furthers our understanding of human culture and creativity. It supports research and postgraduate training in a wide range of subject areas, from ancient history and heritage science to modern dance and digital content. Research into these areas helps us to interpret our experiences, probe our identities, interrogate our cultural assumptions and understand our historical, social, economic and political context. It adds to the economic success of the UK, through its contributions to the knowledge economy and innovation agenda. The research we fund can lead to improvements in social and intellectual capital, community identity, learning skills, technological evolution and the quality of life of the nation.

  Further details can be found via the following links: https://ahrc.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.

• About the company

  UK Research and Innovation is a non-departmental public body of the Government of the United Kingdom that directs research and innovation funding, funded through the science budget of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

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