Head of Public Engagement & Dialogue

We’re currently looking for a Head of Public Engagement and Public Dialogue, offered on a permanent basis, to help us deliver our mission. This is a part time position working 28 hours per week (0.8 FTE).

Salary: Between £77,000 and £79,000 per annum (pro rata amount between £61,600 and £63,200) (depending on experience)

What will I be doing? You’ll be responsible for a range of activities, including:

• Designing, commissioning, and delivering the IOP’s public engagement strategy
• Reaching diverse public audiences across the UK and Ireland, strengthening public understanding and appreciation of physics through strategic, impactful, and inclusive engagement activities
• Leading a team to deliver high quality and high impact programmes and projects
• Leading fundraising to support the IOP's public engagement and public dialogue work

Projects you may work on include:

• Overseeing the IOP’s UK and Ireland public engagement and dialogue programme, ensuring activities align with societal challenges and/or physics themes (e.g., climate change, health)
• The IOP’s Limit Less initiative which aims to break down barriers that can put off young people from underrepresented backgrounds from pursuing physics
• Administering the IOP’s Public Engagement Grants Scheme (PEGS)

Who will I work with? You’ll work closely with a range of colleagues and stakeholders, including:

• Multiple IOP teams, including EDI, policy and public affairs, communications and marketing, membership and national teams
• The IOP's Business Development Group to help shape the IOP's overall approach to fundraising
• Equipping members with the tools and resources to engage the public effectively through a member-led approach to public engagement
• Working in partnership with organisations in and beyond STEM

What’s it like working at the IOP? 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, life assurance, dental insurance and a healthcare cash plan
• 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

Ideally, we hope you’ll apply if you bring:

Essential:

• A track record of designing and delivering high quality and wide-reaching public engagement in partnership with other organisations and with a track record of reaching different public audiences (ideally within a membership organisation)
• Experience of managing high performing teams and collaborating with peers
• Experience with and in depth understanding of audience research and acting on it to ensure diversity of reach
• Experience of budgeting and performance management of programmes

Nice to have:

• Experience of identifying risks associated with projects and activities and implementing effective mitigation plans
• Skilled in overseeing multiple projects and ensuring quality assurance through evaluation and monitoring processes
• Experience in influencing decision-making at senior levels and providing strategic advice based on sound analysis and judgment
• Familiarity with cross-functional collaboration, fostering alignment across diverse teams and disciplines

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.

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.