At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful projects and build a strong physics community in Wales.
- Company: Join the Institute of Physics, a friendly and inclusive organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and generous leave.
- Other info: Flexible working model with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in physics education and community engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in team management and strategic planning is essential.
The predicted salary is between 31725 - 38775 £ per year.
The Institute of Physics (IOP) exists to help our lives, our society and our planet through promoting physics applications and supporting the people behind it. Working alongside our members and leaders from across the physics community and beyond, we’ve identified three priorities that will shape our work over the next five years: Skills, Science and Society. These priorities sit at the heart of everything we do. We’re proud of our ambitious and forward looking 2024 – 2029 strategy.
We’re currently looking for a Lead for Wales, offered on a permanent basis to help us deliver our mission. This is a full-time position working 35 hours per week.
The IOP is a friendly, inclusive and ambitious organisation. Diversity and inclusion are central to how we work. We focus on supporting our people to thrive, offering competitive pay, great development opportunities and a generous benefits package. Some of our benefits include:
- An excellent pension scheme
- Private medical insurance and life assurance
- Eye care vouchers, annual flu vaccinations, long service awards and access to an employee assistance programme
- 25 days’ annual leave as a standard, in addition to floating bank holidays
- Flexible working opportunities
The Role
What will I be doing? You’ll be responsible for a range of activities, including:
- Designing and delivering a business plan that delivers on IOP's strategic ambitions and strengthens participation of the physics community in Wales.
- Building and leading a team and budget to deliver and report on high quality and high impact programmes and projects.
- Providing support to the Wales Committee to enable its work to remain aligned with the IOP strategy and meets the needs of the Welsh physics community.
- Building and maintaining relationships with IOP members, existing IOP stakeholders and developing new relationships that will enable the delivery of IOP’s strategy.
- Increasing the IOP's visibility and reputation across Wales.
- Overseeing the development, introduction and application of procedures, protocols and policies to assure the quality of the IOP's work in Wales.
- Identifying, assessing and managing risks and threats to the IOP, its programmes and projects.
- Following and promoting best practice in managing diversity and inclusion across all aspects of the team’s work.
Projects you may work on include:
- Projects that deliver the IOP’s strategy in the themes of Skills, Science and Society. This will include the Boosting Science Education in Wales project and the Brecon Teacher Conference as well as the 3Rs reports, Science and Innovation impact projects, membership initiatives and regular IOP Wales events.
Who will I work with?
The role holder will work with colleagues across the whole of the organisation, including colleagues in the Membership and Inclusion, Advocacy, Science and Business and Education and Workforce directorates as well as the Finance and Governance teams.
Ideally, we hope you’ll apply if you bring experience of:
- Managing high performing teams and developing individuals so they consistently perform at their very best.
- Designing and delivering business plans and showing impact.
- Engaging and influencing senior political decision makers and opinion formers.
- Working in or a good awareness of science, business and education policy issues in Wales and the UK.
- Working in politics, economics or similar from the public or private sectors and coming from science or industry/business.
- You will need to demonstrate a strong understanding of Government(s) strategies for research and innovation and the importance of these in the economic agenda.
- Working collaboratively across an organisation – people, structures and processes - and adept at working through the ambiguity that can come from this type of working.
- Expertise in building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive organisational success.
- Strong track record of designing and implementing strategies, frameworks, or initiatives that align with organisational objectives and deliver measurable outcomes.
- Identifying risks associated with projects and activities and implementing effective mitigation plans.
- Overseeing multiple projects and ensuring quality assurance through evaluation and monitoring processes.
At the IOP, we know that great candidates don’t always tick every box. If your experience looks a little different, but you bring enthusiasm, curiosity and a willingness to learn, we’d love to hear from you.
How will I be working?
We operate a flexible, trust based working model that gives colleagues autonomy over how, when and where they work, while recognising the value of in person collaboration. You will be assigned a base office, with hybrid working offered as standard. You will engage in regular in person collaboration with your team (as operational appropriate), as well as with colleagues across the wider organisation, to ensure effective operational alignment and to support our inclusive approach to working. As an organization we meet in person once a quarter at our Head Office in Kings Cross, London.
Why join the IOP?
The IOP is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland. As a charity, we’re passionate about increasing public understanding of physics and supporting a diverse and inclusive physics community. There’s never been a better time to join us. We’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive culture for everyone. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process, please let us know we’re always happy to help. Please note whilst we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role, we warmly encourage applications from candidates who already have the right to work in the UK and Ireland.
Lead - Wales in Cardiff employer: Institute of Physics
IOP Publishing Ltd (IOPP) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the Board in a dynamic and supportive environment at our Bristol office. With a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and ethical leadership, we foster a culture that encourages professional growth and collaboration, ensuring that our employees are well-equipped to make a meaningful impact in the field of academic publishing. Join us in inspiring the next generation of physicists while enjoying the benefits of working within a respected charity and professional body.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead - Wales in Cardiff
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Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Institute of Physics.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Institute of Physics.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
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We think you need these skills to ace Lead - Wales in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Institute of Physics. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Lead - Wales, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Institute of Physics
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Institute of Physics. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
