Appointment of Director of Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange

Transcription

1 Appointment of Director of Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange January 2019 Appointment of Director of Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange 1

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3 Goldsmiths, University of London Goldsmiths, University of London, is proud of its reputation for innovative and challenging thinking across its range of disciplines. Goldsmiths Strategic Plan for the next five years was agreed by its Council in January 2018 and sets out an ambitious vision to shape our portfolio of academic programmes and research, respond to the full range of students needs and expectations, equip graduates with the skills and flexibility to make a difference to the world around them and support research that addresses local, national and global challenges. Goldsmiths staff are encouraged to be ambitious, committed to the university, but also to their own career development. We foster an environment that is oriented to the best in learning and research. We are looking for motivated and talented people to work with us to achieve our ambitions. Applications, in the form of a CV and cover letter detailing your ambition for the role, should be submitted to goldrike@minervasearch.com by Monday 11 February Interviews: 21st March 2019 Appointment of Director of Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange 3

4 Our mission WE OFFER A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE, GENERATING KNOWLEDGE AND STIMULATING SELF-DISCOVERY THROUGH CREATIVE, RADICAL AND INTELLECTUALLY RIGOROUS THINKING AND PRACTICE Our Mission is underpinned by the following values: Achieving academic excellence Pursuing intellectual curiosity Encouraging the highest standards of research and practice Building on our diverse strengths through interdisciplinary imagination Maximising the interaction of teaching and research Radical and innovative thinking Cultivating a unique and creative approach to all our subjects Daring to think differently and to challenge the norms Embracing new ideas with energy and reflection Respecting the individual Encouraging individuality and nurturing talent Enabling freedom of thought and expression Nurturing an environment of openness and tolerance Promoting access and diversity Enabling a wide range of people to benefit from our learning opportunities Recruiting students and staff from all backgrounds and experiences Strengthening our local connections as we extend our international reach Supporting our students and staff Creating a responsive and collaborative learning environment Providing inspiring opportunities for personal and social development Enhancing the life skills of employable and enterprising global citizens Creating change, locally and globally Being socially aware and socially engaged Actively promoting sustainability Fostering a social and intellectual community within, and beyond, Goldsmiths 4 Appointment of Director of Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange

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6 Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at Goldsmiths This is an exciting time to join Goldsmiths. At its launch in 2017, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) stressed the importance of the arts, humanities and social sciences to scientific, technological, industrial and societal development and growth. There are significant challenges and opportunities in today s research and knowledge exchange environment. Universities operate on multiple scales, across global contexts with leading research-driven organisations, locally with regard to civic missions, and increasingly in terms of commercial and market imperatives. Technological and organisational developments, social, cultural and political change, and human capital and environmental demands spin the dynamics. The environment for funding research and knowledge exchange in the UK has changed and is changing. Two significant factors of governmental and research policy are the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and the Global Challenge Research Fund. In the context of Brexit, UK government and UKRI are focused on supporting UK research which demonstrates international excellence as research, but which also develops the UK s competitive base. Moreover, in addition to the Research Excellence Framework (REF), which determines the distribution of significant QR resource across the sector, the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) is likely to determine the distribution of Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) in the future. While the distinction between pure and applied research still holds, there is increasingly a need for research-intensive institutions to be adaptable and collaborative in order to successfully access funding in this changed environment. Our teams are currently structured as Research Services (including pre and post award research support functions) and the Enterprise Office (including, business, public and third sector partnerships, the management of Intellectual Property, consultancy services, commissioned research, regional development and regeneration funding such as ERDF, executive training and short courses). In the changed funding environment we expect these different functions of research and enterprise to have greater integration. REF is managed separately with a team of staff from across different professional service departments. 6 Appointment of Director of Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange

7 Current Organisational Structure Pro Warden Research & Enterprise Director of Enterprise REF Manager Director of Research Services Enterprise Manager Solicitor IP & Contracts Executive Training & Short Courses Manager Pre-Award Senior Research Development Officer (Team Leader) Enterprise Officer Enterprise Co-ordinator Research Development Officer Research Development Officer Research Development Officer POST-Award Senior Research Finance Management Accountant (Team Leader) Research Finance Management Accountant Research Finance Management Accountant Research Finance Management Accountant Departmental Administrator Appointment of Director of Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange 7

8 Role Description Summary This new senior level professional role will offer strategic leadership in this evolving research and knowledge exchange funding environment. The successful candidate will have a clear understanding of the strengths of Goldsmiths research, the ability to recognise and develop potential, and have the organisational skills to help drive any necessary changes to bring this to fruition. The postholder will report directly to the Pro-Warden for Research and Enterprise. The postholder will have line management responsibilities for those currently in Research Services and the Enterprise Office, but they will also need to collaborate with colleagues from professional services in Strategic Planning and Projects, Human Resources, Communications, Finance, Library Services and elsewhere to drive research excellence and knowledge exchange across Goldsmiths. Critically, the postholder will need to pro-actively engage with academic staff across Goldsmiths research community. Main duties include: To work with the Pro-Warden for Research and Enterprise to develop and maintain Goldsmiths strategic vision for research and knowledge exchange To understand and pro-actively respond to a changing research funding landscape To develop capacity for the analysis and reporting of externally funded research and knowledge exchange performance data, including research income, consultancy and short courses To lead on the strategic direction and external reporting for knowledge exchange activity to Research England including development and delivery of a new five year knowledge exchange strategy To develop commercialisation opportunities such as Intellectual Property licensing and oversee the management of Goldsmiths IP in conjunction with legal counsel To have oversight and responsibility for research governance in Goldsmiths To have oversight of appropriate research training for academic staff To have overall management of Research Services and the Enterprise Office, including their operational plans, and line management of the staff within it To structure and develop the functions of the above offices to the benefit of Goldsmiths strategic advantage To oversee budget management, reporting and planning To have oversight and overall responsibility for the design of systems and processes to robustly support research and knowledge exchange activity To develop strategic relationships with UKRI and other governmental funding agencies within and outwith the UK To facilitate the development of strategic partnerships with academic, business and third sector organisations, in the UK, EU and internationally To support academics at Goldsmiths in large scale collaborative research funding applications To oversee the communications to academic and relevant professional colleagues research activity, relevant government and research council policy, and research funding agendas, and priorities You will at all times need: To carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the College Code on Equality and Diversity and Code to Combat Bullying and Harassment/Dignity at Work Policy; To help maintain a safe working environment by attending training as necessary and following the College s Health and Safety Codes of Practice and Policy. 8 Appointment of Director of Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange

9 Role Description (continued) Person Specification The Essential criteria sections show the minimum essential requirements for the post, therefore if you cannot demonstrate in your application you meet the essential criteria categorised below, you will not be invited to interview. The Desirable criteria sections show additional attributes which would enable the applicant to perform the role more effectively with little or no training. The Category column indicates the method of assessment: A = Cover Letter and CV C = Certificate I = Interview R = Reference Essential Desirable Category Qualifications Qualified to degree level A, C Experience A minimum of 5 years senior research management post in a university or in an equivalent research orientated organisation (whether public or private sector) Comprehensive planning and operational A management at an organisational level including setting, monitoring and reporting against Key Performance Indicators. Demonstrable experience of leading on change management in complex, matrix management environments Knowledge Strategic awareness of HEI sector regarding strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges Clear understanding of research and knowledge exchange environment (ISCF, GCRF, KEF, Horizon Europe, etc) and strategic sense of potential changes to that environment Analytic confidence with research data and performance metrics Comprehensive knowledge of HE administrative systems and their strengths and weaknesses Extensive knowledge and understanding of academic research imperatives Understanding of the process of commercialisation of Intellectual Property Understanding of opportunities and challenges regarding strategic and collaborative partnerships with business Appointment of Director of Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange 9

10 Role Description (continued) Skills Additional Attributes Excellent written and oral communication, presentation and organisational skills. Demonstrable ability to show leadership and vision in communication that can galvanise activity and culture change. Ability to think and act strategically, balancing conflicting requirements and maintaining focus on key priorities The ability to bring out the best in staff through strong and strategic line management Highly numerate and experienced in managing budgets Excellent data analysis skills Proven track record of influencing and of building productive relationships and partnerships with internal stakeholders at all levels across the organisation and with external bodies. Ability to take a leading role on strategic or policy matters that are relevant to this role such as drafting responses to national consultations. Ability to effectively lead and motivate staff. Some understanding of practice-based research in the context of both research excellence and knowledge exchange opportunities Essential Desirable Category

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12 Goldsmiths, University of London New Cross London SE14 6NW United Kingdom gold.ac.uk