Head of Funding Operations

Contract Type: Open Ended. Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire Role description You will lead NERC’s core Funding Operations function and provide strategic advice and direction to shape NERC’s funding policy and operations. You will be responsible for building and maintaining strong networks across UKRI, NERC Head Office, NERC Centres and the wider environmental science community to support effective Funding Operations. Reporting to the Associate Director, Governance and Funding Operations, you will lead the team and directly line manage two colleagues. You will be responsible for the planning, delivery and resources for the administration of all NERC grant funding and for providing evidence of successful delivery. You will play an active role for NERC in UKRI funding policy and the broader Simpler and Better Funding Programme in order to positively inform their progress to the benefit of future ways of working across NERC and UKRI. Role responsibilities Lead Funding Operations and research grant delivery within NERC and provide strategic advice and leadership to Associate Director of Governance and Funding Operations and in a broader capacity across NERC and UKRI Lead for UKRI-NERC in relevant funding policy and delivery engagement, planning and activities. Working with and providing expert insight to colleagues across NERC (and beyond) on developing more harmonised processes, taking into account and proactively preparing for the wider harmonisation agenda across UKRI Provide leadership to the Funding Operations Team of c12 staff, including effective line management to direct reports and a supportive environment to the whole team.   Continuously improve and develop staff and activities assigned to your role Represent NERC on a number of UKRI funding policy focused working groups and networks, including the Good Research Conduct Network (GRECON), Open Research Network (ORN), Subsidy Control and Trusted Research working groups Person Specification   Essential Criteria Significant knowledge, expertise and experience leading research Funding Operations, policy and processes, including building credibility with relevant stakeholders, understanding user needs and emerging opportunities and risks relevant to delivering environmental science funding Able to build and maintain strong partnerships and working relationships with a range of stakeholders at all levels; and able to intelligently navigate complex stakeholder landscapes, drawing on a positive and collaborative approach Experience of leading and managing people and teams through times of ambiguity and uncertainty to deliver high-quality outcomes, and a collaborative culture that supports and healthy work-life balance Experience of delivering research and innovation funding, via peer review processes, including obtaining report, and in this role, experience of dealing with emerging operational issues and problem-solving to ensure swift resolution Able to provide high quality written and verbal advice suitable for use by executive and senior level decision makers, and to represent your area of business at senior management and board-level meetings Effective financial planning and control, and management of risk. Desirable criteria Knowledge and expertise in leading UKRI Funding Operations during the transition to a new funding service, or equivalent experience of managing systems changes. For the full job description and to apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org