External Affairs Lead

External Affairs Lead

£54,043

Full time (Flexible working patterns can be considered)

Fixed Term 24 months

Polaris House, Swindon or Caxton House, London. Hybrid working available including 1 day a week in the office.

Closing date Sunday 8th December 2024

Join UKRI and help connect research, innovation, and government.

Job Overview

The purpose of the External Affairs Team is to develop and deliver engagement approaches that build understanding and trust in UK Research and Innovation with the communities UKRI funds and works with.

As the External Affairs Lead you will be responsible for building awareness of and advocacy for UKRI and our activities among audiences. This role will have a specific focus on identifying key collaborators across government and the wider civil service network, delivering a campaign of engagement to raise awareness and understanding of UKRI our role as a delivery partner for publicly funded research and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate leadership in developing and delivering engagement activity to progress corporate policy priorities.
• Build and foster relationships with relevant strategically important external collaborators and partners.
• Represent the interests of UKRI with external stakeholders in relevant national and international forums.
• Effective relationship development at all levels within UKRI with site-specific teams where needed.

About you

• High level of understanding of how Westminster (UK Parliament) and Whitehall (civil service and government departments) work.
• Recent experience of working in or closely with Government and/or policy makers
• Demonstrated credibility with relevant external communities, based on public affairs or other stakeholder management experience from government, industry, education or the third sector.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams, councils and communities.
• Demonstrable emotional intelligence and tolerance of ambiguity and uncertainty.

To view the full job description please click 'apply' to visit our careers site.

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below.

• An excellent defined benefit pension scheme
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options

Please click here for more details on the Benefits of working for UKRI - UKRI

How to Apply

Applicants are required to provide an up-to-date CV and a cover letter outlining their suitability for the role. Please click 'apply' for further information and to visit our careers page.