Deputy Director (Research & Engagement)

Overview

Deputy Director (Research and Engagement), Leeds Institute for Societal Futures (LISF) Grade 8 Professional Service Staff / Grade 9 / 10, 0.4 FTE. Open to Academic or Professional Service Staff.Are you an ambitious academic leader with extensive experience leading research and engagement initiatives? Do you have a commitment to developing and delivering compelling strategic plans to drive interdisciplinary research and innovation, policy, impact and engagement? Can you demonstrate a track record of developing and maintaining effective partnerships with external stakeholders, communities and third sector organisations?The University of Leeds Strategic Plan (2020-2030) sets out an ambition to place the University at the heart of a global network, finding innovative solutions to regional, national, and global challenges. Key to delivering this vision is the development and launch of two Futures Institutes (Societal and Climate) that will exemplify our strategy to combine research and innovation, knowledge exchange, and education, to deliver global impact. LISF will generate additional academic outcomes that could not be achieved by individual faculties or schools, through a focus on interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary collaborations; and will enhance the University\''s external standing and impact in major global challenge areas. The Institute will also remove barriers for inter-faculty research, collaboration and postgraduate education and become recognised centres of excellence for tackling global challenges and driving world-changing research, education and knowledge exchange through impactful international partnerships. LISF addresses complex societal challenges through interdisciplinary research, impactful education, and collaborative engagement with stakeholders across sectors. Within our Research and Engagement area of work, LISF will facilitate the co-creation and delivery of research and innovation, working in partnership with policymakers, businesses, government bodies and the public to shape our inclusive future societies. The Institute will further engage in impact and outreach activities, from the local to the global, to co-create positive societal change, and develop quality, long-lasting partnerships for collaboration. It aims to become a sector leader for co-creation, co-production and external collaboration, championing the value of a truly collaborative approach to knowledge exchange and embodying a true revolving doorway model of co-production across impact generation and research development. This Deputy Director post is available within LISF\''s leadership team. The successful applicant will support the Director of LISF, working alongside one other Deputy Director (Education) and the Head of LISF to deliver on the Institute\''s mission by leading the delivery of the research and engagement strategic vision. The post-holder will work across the University, engaging LISF\''s community and external organisations. This is an exciting opportunity to develop your own strategic research and engagement vision and resource its delivery. You will grow your internal and external profile and networks, whilst at the same time making a real contribution to increasing the breadth, quality and ambition of interdisciplinary, challenge-led research at the University. As a founding member of the Institute\''s leadership team, you will lead a truly innovative agenda that will make the University a more accessible Institution for external engagement through the generation of significant new partnerships and an inclusive, accessible and supportive model for engagement and knowledge exchange.Possessing a detailed current knowledge of the HE research and engagement landscape, you will have a PhD or equivalent experience in a societal-challenge topic and substantial experience in developing, supporting, leading and/or delivering impactful, co-produced research and engagement activities, including substantial external partnership and stakeholder relationship experience. You will enhance LISF\''s and the University of Leeds\'' external reputation and leadership by promoting innovative initiatives on research and engagement related to societal futures.Responsibilities

Lead the delivery of LISF\''s research and engagement strategic vision in collaboration with the Director, another Deputy Director (Education) and the Head of LISF.Work across the University to engage LISF\''s community and external organisations; develop and grow partnerships and knowledge exchange activities; help co-create research and innovation with policymakers, businesses, government bodies and the public.Support development of inclusive, accessible engagement and knowledge exchange models; contribute to building a revolving door model of co-production across impact generation and research development.Qualifications

PhD or equivalent experience in a societal-challenge topic; substantial experience in developing, supporting, leading and/or delivering impactful, co-produced research and engagement activities; substantial external partnership and stakeholder relationship experience.Possessing a detailed current knowledge of the HE research and engagement ..... full job details .....