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Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Chair

Body
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Appointing Department
Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Sector
Business, Finance & Skills
Location
London
Number of Vacancies
1
Remuneration
The annual salary / remuneration package and detailed portfolio of responsibilities will be discussed with individual candidates depending on their skills and experience.
Time Requirements
Full time

Campaign Timeline

  1. Competition Launched

    21/04/2017

  2. Closed for Applications

    16/06/2017

  3. Panel Sift

    21/06/2017

  4. Final Interview Date

    19/07/2017

  5. Announcement

    26/10/2017

Announcement

An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.

Professor Jennifer Rubin appointed as the ESRC Executive Chair Designate. Sir Harpal Kumar chosen as UKRI’s new Innovation Champion

View Announcement

Assessment Panel

Panel Member
Gareth Davies
Added
21/04/2017
Panel Role
Panel Chair
Positions
BEIS DG Business and Finance Departmental Official
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Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
Professor Sir Mark Walport
Added
21/04/2017
Positions
UK Research and Innovation CEO designate Representative of Organisation
Show more information
Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
Sir John Kingman
Added
21/04/2017
Positions
UK Research and Innovation Chair Representative of Organisation
Show more information
Political Activity-
Notes-
Panel Member
TBC
Added
21/04/2017
Positions
Independent Member
Show more information
Political Activity-
Notes-

Vacancy Description

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is now looking to appoint the Economic and Social Research Council’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Chair. We are seeking an inspirational social scientist with international standing and proven track record to lead the ESRC – initially as its CEO and subsequently as its Executive Chair as it is established as one of the nine Councils within UK Research and Innovation in April 2018. As part of UK Research and Innovation’s Executive Committee the Executive Chair will have an important role in determining how these benefits are manifested in UK Research and Innovation and a critical role in championing and increasing the impact of the social sciences within UK Research and Innovation, government and the UK more widely.

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is a public body operating as an executive non-departmental public body accountable through the Director General for Business and Science (DGBS), to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (SoS BEIS) and the Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation. The primary objectives of the ESRC are:

  • to promote and support high-quality basic, strategic and applied research and related postgraduate training in the social sciences;
  • to advance knowledge and provide trained social scientists, thereby contributing to the economic competitiveness of the United Kingdom, the effectiveness of public services and policy, and the quality of life;
  • to provide advice on, and disseminate knowledge and promote public understanding of, the social sciences.

Person Specification

Responsibilities of the ESRC CEO in transition to UK Research and Innovation:

  • Lead and manage the ESRC in the successful delivery of its objectives, providing the inclusive leadership, and vision to maintain and develop the quality and outputs of its research, postgraduate and capital investment portfolio;
  • Significantly enhance the ESRC’s ability to be a major contribitor to world-class research in the social sciences both nationally and internationally;
  • Work with the ESRC Chair and Council to develop the ESRC’s strategic approach to the funding of research, in relation to both directed and responsive-mode programmes, to the funding of postgraduate and skills training and its investment in major longer term capital projects; and to ensure that the UK develops its world class position in social science;
  • Drive up the economic impact of the ESRC’s spending and provide supportive leadership to the academic community on the impact agenda;
  • Maximise efficiency and ensure value for money from public investment;
  • Provide day to day inclusive leadership and management of the ESRC including clearly and proactively fulfilling the responsibilities inherent to the role of Accounting Officer;
  • Promote and foster interdisciplinary work across the ESRC and with other Research Councils;
  • Represent and develop positive relationships between the ESRC and its numerous and diverse stakeholders in government and public funding agencies, higher education institutions, academic and research communities, third sector, industry and the public at large and internationally, seek and respond to stakeholder feedback;
  • Act as a member of the senior team led by the UK Research and Innovation CEO designate,   Sir Mark Walport, to develop the creation and implementation of UK Research and Innovation;
  • Lead the organisation through a period of change, ensure it plays its part in shaping the ESRC’s place within UK Research and Innovation and the set-up of shared capability functions and develop skills and capability including in programme management.

Responsibilities of the ESRC Executive Chair post launch of UK Research and Innovation in April 2018:

  • Work with the UK Research and Innovation Board, as part of the UK Research and Innovation Executive Team, to deliver best value from the overall science and innovation funding system and contribute to the development and implementation of the UK Research and Innovation-wide Research and Innovation Strategy;
  • Act to ensure UK Research and Innovation is a strong, unified voice for science, research and innovation, both in facilitating the dialogue with government and partners on the world stage
  • Enhance considerably the ESRC’s capability as a major contributor to world-class research in the social sciences both nationally and internationally;
  • Lead and manage the ESRC in its successful pursuit of its objectives providing the inclusive leadership and vision necessary to maintain and develop the quality and outputs of its research, postgraduate and capital investment portfolio;
  • Work with, and Chair, the ESRC Council to lead and develop ESRC’s strategic approach to the funding of research, in relation to both directed and responsive-mode programmes, to the funding of postgraduate and skills training and its investment in major longer term capital projects; and to ensure that the UK develops its world class position in social science;
  • Work collaboratively across UK Research and Innovation Councils to foster interdisciplinary work and build on collective capabilities, providing support and challenge when required. This may potentially include specific responsibility for the strategy and delivery of one or more shared capabilities, presenting opportunities for an Executive Chair to develop UK Research and Innovation functions within their experience and expertise that work on behalf of all of the Councils;
  • Maximise efficiency and ensure value for money from public investment;
  • Represent and develop positive relationships between the ESRC and its numerous and diverse stakeholders in government and public funding agencies, higher education institutions, academic and research communities, third sector, industry and the public at large and internationally;
  • Continue to drive forward the programme of transformational change to create UK Research and Innovation and transition from the current funding landscape as a core member of the senior team, led by and accountable to the UK Research and Innovation CEO;
  • Deliver any legacy Accounting Officer responsibilities arising for the ESRC as part of the transition to UK Research and Innovation.

Applications are welcome from all, especially women, minority ethnic and disabled candidates who are under-represented at this level in public life.

Additional Information

Benefits include:

  • membership of the Research Councils CEOs bonus scheme, providing a bonus of up to 20% of salary (the scheme is likely to be administered by UK Research and Innovation in the future)
  • a standard Research Council pension (due to transfer to the Civil Service scheme around April 2018).

The ESRC Executive Chair will be appointed for a term of 3–5 years.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents by email to publicappointments@beis.gov.uk

• A covering letter • A CV • Completed candidate application form • Completed diversity monitoring form

Please ensure that you include “Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Chair ” in the subject box of your email.

Alternatively, you can send your application in hard copy to:

Central Appointments and Remuneration Team Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 7th Floor, Spur 2 1 Victoria Street London SW1H 0ET

Documents can be provided in other formats on request.