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- Tasks: Lead impactful research initiatives and shape national data infrastructures for social science.
- Company: Join the Economic and Social Research Council, a leader in social science research.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 30 days annual leave, and access to a Civil Service Pension.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in shaping data strategies that influence government decisions.
- Qualifications: Graduate qualified with expertise in social science data infrastructures and proven leadership skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Executive Director for Data Infrastructure and Skills role at ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council.
HOURS: Full Time or Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE)
CONTRACT TYPE: Open Ended (secondments welcome)
LOCATION: Caxton House, London (Hybrid)
CLOSING DATE: 15 February 2026
To view the full job description, please click 'Apply' to visit our careers site, where you can download the candidate pack and learn more about the role.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are seeking a dynamic social science research leader with professional standing who can turn complex challenges into opportunities, shaping national data infrastructures to support government priorities such as the industrial strategy, while also driving the development and deployment of talent and skills in social and economic research.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
As ESRC Executive Director for data infrastructures and skills, you will lead on shaping investments that drive impactful research to inform economic, public service, and societal decisions over the next decade. With direct responsibility for budget lines covering data, talent, and skills, you will ensure alignment with UKRI priorities while keeping pace with evolving social science needs, technological advances such as AI, and computational capabilities. The role requires building funding and collaboration partnerships with research councils, government departments, and devolved administrations, while engaging the social science community to both capture emerging insights and communicate ESRC's agenda to senior leaders. Working within a collaborative executive team, you will help ensure that infrastructure, talent, and skills priorities are coherent, optimised, and embedded in the ESRC Data Infrastructure and Skills strategy.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Reporting directly to the ESRC Executive Chair you will be the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for:
- The Administrative Data Research UK (ADR UK) programme, which has recently received approval of £168m for the next investment phase (2026 – 2031).
- The Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK) programme.
- The UK Data Service (UKDS).
- The Population Research UK (PR UK) programme.
- The Understanding Society longitudinal study.
- The UK Centre for Evidence Implementation in Adult Social Care (IMPACT).
Additionally, you will be responsible for:
- Delivery of over £100M per year of UKRI's research and talent budget, programme evaluation.
- Direct responsibility for the leadership management and development of c80 staff across data and infrastructure investments, talent and skills, and public engagement.
- Leading on the inception, direction and timely delivery of any new ESRC data infrastructure investments.
- Exploiting your ESRC domain expertise to seek out opportunities for collaborations that leverage partnerships to support the delivery of data infrastructure, talent and skills programmes.
- Championing equality, diversity and inclusion.
YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Graduate qualified with strong scientific record and deep expertise in social science data infrastructures.
- Proven senior leadership in social sciences, managing major initiatives and programmes.
- Extensive stakeholder management skills: negotiation, relationship-building, conflict resolution, and influence.
- Experienced in programme management and evaluation, including risk management and outcome delivery.
- Effective leader with solid track record in staff performance and development.
INCENTIVES
UKRI can offer the successful candidate:
- Flexible Working
- 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays
- Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme
- Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider
Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Executive Director for Data Infrastructure and Skills in London employer: ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council
Contact Detail:
ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Director for Data Infrastructure and Skills in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend conferences, webinars, or local meetups related to data infrastructure and social science. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience and knowledge in social science data infrastructures. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework on the ESRC and their current projects. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their goals, especially around talent development and data strategies. Confidence is key, so practice makes perfect!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our careers site! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you can find all the details you need about the role and the team you'll be working with.
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director for Data Infrastructure and Skills in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Executive Director for Data Infrastructure and Skills. We want to see how you can turn complex challenges into opportunities, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Leadership Experience: Since this role requires proven senior leadership in social sciences, be sure to emphasise your past experiences managing major initiatives and programmes. We’re looking for someone who can lead a team effectively, so share those success stories!
Highlight Stakeholder Management Skills: This position involves extensive stakeholder management, so make it clear how you've built relationships and navigated negotiations in your previous roles. We love seeing examples of conflict resolution and influence in action!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our careers site! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you can download the candidate pack to get all the details you need about the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
As an Executive Director for Data Infrastructure and Skills, you’ll need to demonstrate a deep understanding of social science data infrastructures. Brush up on the latest trends in data management, AI advancements, and how they relate to government priorities. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've turned complex data challenges into opportunities.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
This role requires proven senior leadership skills, so prepare to share your experiences managing major initiatives. Think of specific projects where you led teams, navigated challenges, and achieved significant outcomes. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop talent within your team.
✨Master Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder management is key in this position. Prepare to discuss your approach to building relationships with various stakeholders, including government departments and research councils. Have examples ready that showcase your negotiation skills and how you've successfully influenced decisions in the past.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Inclusion
Equality, diversity, and inclusion are crucial in this role. Be prepared to talk about how you've championed these values in your previous positions. Share specific initiatives or strategies you've implemented to promote a diverse and inclusive environment within your teams or projects.
