Job Description

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)Salary: \xc2\xa343,116 per annum
Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 0.8 FTE)
Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: LondonClosing Date: 21st May 2024Purpose of the RoleThis is an exciting opportunity to provide direct support to Professor Christopher Smith in his role as AHRC Executive Chair and International Champion and gain a unique insight into the Arts and Humanities research landscape, working alongside him as he leads AHRC through the next electoral and strategic planning cycle.As his Private Secretary, you will ensure that the business of AHRC\xe2\x80\x99s Executive Chair is supported effectively for the successful coordination of AHRC\xe2\x80\x99s strategic leadership and decision-making, and effective operational delivery. This is a pivotal role supporting a broad-ranging, dynamic and innovative research council agenda, with leadership across UKRI, including creative industries.This role will support a team of Executive Assistants and Personal Assistants alongside the Private Secretary to the AHRC COO, providing high quality executive support to all members of the Executive Chair\xe2\x80\x99s Directors Group. They enable engagement across AHRC, support consistency of standards, and embed best practice in executive support.We have a great all-round package, including 30 days annual leave, flexible working, civil service pension, and access to employee benefits. AHRC has committed to hybrid working: our focus is on what you deliver as opposed to where you deliver it from.Key Areas of AccountabilityLeadership / Team Work / Collaboration\xc2\xb7 Identify, build and maintain effective and professional internal and external strategic relationships whilst demonstrating a high level of tact, diplomacy, integrity and discretion\xc2\xb7 Support the Executive Chair with an understanding of the \xe2\x80\x98political\xe2\x80\x99 and strategic dimension and ensure the executive office operates effectively with those who have different agendas\xc2\xb7 Ensure the effective and efficient delivery of tasks on behalf of the Executive Chair, convening and coordinating the right people to develop solutions and responses\xc2\xb7 Lead a team of Executive and Personal Assistants, building their capability\xc2\xb7 Maintain confidentiality and confidence of the Executive Chair, AHRC senior team and senior colleagues across UKRI\xc2\xb7 Implement and maintain an Executive Chair stakeholder engagement plan that supports AHRC\xe2\x80\x99s broader engagement strategy\xc2\xb7 Work closely with AHRC\xe2\x80\x99s Communications Business Partner to identify and manage comms opportunities to raise both AHRC\xe2\x80\x99s and the Executive Chair\xe2\x80\x99s profile\xc2\xb7 Play an active role in supporting staff engagement, organising monthly staff webinars and away days, and being a visible representative of the Executive Chair for all staffDelivery / Programmes / Projects / Process\xc2\xb7 Work with the business to manage information flow to and from the executive team, using knowledge and judgement to brief relevant stakeholders on key issues\xc2\xb7 Have an understanding of AHRC and UKRI business and its business cycles, and how these could impact on the Executive Chair\xc2\xb7 Ensure the smooth running of all relevant meetings, including overseeing meeting arrangements and management of the Executive Chair\xe2\x80\x99s diary\xc2\xb7 Manage, prioritise and respond to communications, and provide drafts for clearance on behalf of the Executive Chair\xc2\xb7 Communicate with confidence and sound judgement with senior stakeholders\xc2\xb7 Help to set professional standards: an \xe2\x80\x9cexemplary ambassador\xe2\x80\x9d\xc2\xb7 Gather insights, intelligence and evidence through commissioning where needed; draft and prepare briefings and meeting papers on behalf of the Executive Chair\xc2\xb7 Lead on the resolution of specific issues as required by the Executive Chair, liaising with the AHRC COO as required\xc2\xb7 Responsible for ensuring that the executive team business is compliant with public sector financial and governance requirements\xc2\xb7 Facilitate opportunities for the Executive Chair to engage with UKRI staff, including drafting communications on their behalf\xc2\xb7 Undertake timely, focused and incisive background research, analysis and briefing using personal/professional knowledge and expertise\xc2\xb7 Record, manage and disseminate notes and decisions from meetings, and follow up on actions on behalf of the Executive Chair\xc2\xb7 Manage the relevant resources, budgets and risks on behalf of the Executive Chair, ensuring efficiency, wellbeing and sustainability are at the forefront of considerations\xc2\xb7 Ensure own and team members\xe2\x80\x99 compliance with UKRI record management requirements\xc2\xb7 Oversee effective diary and travel management, using business knowledge to make considered decisions when juggling demands on the schedule\xc2\xb7 Ensure that executive team business is compliant with public sector best practice\xc2\xb7 Provide a high-quality professional end-to-end support service to the Executive Chair\xc2\xb7 Ensure that ad hoc support is in place for other members of the executive teamEssential Skills, Qualifications and ExperienceShortlisting Criteria\xc2\xb7 A forward thinker, able to drive the agenda and respond to shifting priorities\xc2\xb7 Highly-organised, methodical and proactive with the proven ability to plan ahead\xc2\xb7 Able to solve problems with initiative, creative thought and interpretation\xc2\xb7 Able to work flexibly to adapt to change\xc2\xb7 Excellent attention to detail and accuracy\xc2\xb7 An understanding of the business of AHRC and UKRI sufficient to be able to see the bigger picture and understand the implications\xc2\xb7 Able to lead a small but high-performing team to achieve high quality and timely outcomes through both direct and matrix management\xc2\xb7 Able to accompany the Executive Chair on official business visits within the UK and overseasInterview Criteria\xc2\xb7 Able to work independently and collaboratively with multiple stakeholders across teams, councils and communities\xc2\xb7 Sophisticated and highly sensitive communication and interpersonal skills (verbal, presentational and written), able to absorb, evaluate and communicate complex information in language appropriate to the audience\xc2\xb7 Multi-tasks with precision and prioritises to meet deadlines and deliver at pace\xc2\xb7 Demonstrable emotional intelligence and tolerance of ambiguity and uncertainty\xc2\xb7 Operates with a high level of tact, diplomacy, integrity, resilience, patience and discretion\xc2\xb7 Deals effectively with challenging situations\xc2\xb7 Can achieve outcomes by working across boundaries and structures to support the Executive Chairs priorities and agendaDesirable\xc2\xb7 Understanding of the arts and humanities research sector\xc2\xb7 Understanding of working in a public service governance structureAbout The Arts and Humanities Research CouncilThe 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: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\xe2\x80\x99s 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 .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 .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 workforceAt 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 .Disability Confident EmployerAs 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 applyOnline 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 \xe2\x80\x98experience\xe2\x80\x99 section of the application.UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion \xe2\x80\x93 a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

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