Job description: Executive Director, Research and Innovation
Reports to: CEO
Responsible for: Developing and overseeing the implementation of the Institute’s research strategy and leading the Institute as a core member of the Executive team.
Salary: £120k per annum
Role Description:
The new role of Executive Director: Research and Innovation will work closely with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and the Board to develop and implement the Institute’s thought leadership and organisational strategy, with personal responsibility for research strategy.
A highly credible external figurehead for the Institute, you will represent the IfG in the media and with senior stakeholders. You will have oversight of the Institute’s research programme – responsible for planning, resourcing and quality assurance of our outputs, for rigour in research methods, and for building relationships with organisations and individuals who will help us increase the quality and insight of our research. You will report to the board on our research programme and line manage all the directors of research programmes. You will promote innovation in our research methods, including overseeing the Institute’s use of new technologies and AI and maintain your own area of research expertise.
The ideal candidate will be a senior leader bringing demonstrable expertise in research and experience of contributing at board level to organisational strategy and development. With a rigorous, proactive and creative approach, as well as excellent interpersonal skills you will be adept at working with experienced, senior policy experts, and facilitating and supporting the work of highly committed and talented teams. Holding and developing important external relationships on behalf of the Institute, and reporting to the Board on the Institute’s research programme, you will have experience of engaging with very senior political and official stakeholders and bring a deep understanding of the UK government and policy processes. Above all, you will share our belief in the potential of good government to improve lives.
Key Tasks:
- Responsibility for research strategy: Engage externally and internally – including with senior stakeholders, the CEO and Board – to identify priorities for research, ensuring the Institute addresses the most important questions for government effectiveness, where it can add most value.
- Work with the research programme directors to develop and oversee the timely delivery of a rigorous, high quality and impactful research programme.
- Work with the ED Impact and Influence to build and maintain the relationships we need to inform our research and maximise its impact, across government, the wider public sector, think tanks, academia and beyond. Build relationships with research councils, charitable trusts and foundations that have interests in the Institute’s areas of work.
- Drive research innovation: Proactively identify lessons about what works best elsewhere, inspire and steer our approach to research innovation – ensuring we always use the most effective methods to help achieve our core priorities.
- Evaluate and report on research: Regularly review, evaluate and report to the CEO and Board on progress towards the delivery of our research programme.
- As a member of the Institute’s Executive team, act as a senior spokesperson for the Institute in media, on panels and at public and private events, maintaining your own research expertise, building your own networks with core stakeholders and holding senior relationships on behalf of the Institute.
- As a member of the Executive team, work with the CEO to develop and implement the Institute’s thought leadership and organisational strategy.
You may be required to take on additional or other projects or other duties as reasonably required by the Institute.