At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Athena Swan programme to drive gender equality and deliver impactful science.
- Company: Join a pioneering institute dedicated to improving human health and advancing equality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a strong focus on employee wellbeing.
- Other info: Engage with senior leaders and enjoy excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in promoting gender equality and shaping an inclusive culture.
- Qualifications: Expertise in Athena Swan and proven track record in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 66000 € per year.
Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. We have a new opportunity for an Athena Swan Lead to join us. This is an instrumental role in shaping and delivering our gender equality ambitions.
About the role
This is a high-impact, specialist role with responsibility for leading the Institute’s Athena Swan programme and driving forward our ambition to retain a Silver award and beyond. You’ll operate at both a strategic and delivery level, setting direction, defining priorities and ensuring a robust, evidence-led approach to gender equality across the organisation. Working with a high degree of autonomy, you’ll lead the Athena Swan submission, develop and deliver the Athena Swan action plan, manage the end-to-end submission process, and embed Athena Swan within our wider Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) and Culture agenda. You’ll also play a key role in engaging stakeholders across the Institute, providing insight to senior leaders, and ensuring strong governance and accountability for delivery.
About you
You’ll bring deep expertise in Athena Swan and a strong track record of delivering successful submissions, ideally at Silver level. You’re equally comfortable setting strategy and rolling up your sleeves to deliver, with the ability to work independently while influencing a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leadership. You’ll be highly organised, analytical and confident using data to shape decisions, alongside excellent communication skills and a genuine commitment to advancing equality and inclusion.
Essential Skills
- Extensive, demonstrable expertise in the Athena Swan Charter and its application in organisations
- Deep and applied experience in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and organisational culture change
- Proven track record of leading end-to-end Athena Swan submissions, including Silver-level or equivalent
- Excellent working knowledge of the 2021 transformed Athena Swan framework
- Strategic thinking combined with the ability to deliver programmes of work independently
- Strong analytical capability, with experience translating data into insights
- Excellent organisational and programme management skills
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including at senior leadership level
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including high-level report writing
- Strong commitment to advancing equality and inclusion
Other information
Salary: in the region of £55,000 to £66,000
Contract Type: Fixed Term, 18 months
Application Process: Please include a cover letter alongside your CV, detailing how you meet the essential criteria listed. Interviews expected to take place on 10th, 12th June. Closing date: 31st May
Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger: We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working; including an improved work-life balance, with more focused time, as well as the ability to organise working time so that collaborative opportunities and team discussions are facilitated on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets to generate a greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with the following staff networks: LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability, Gender Equity and Race Equity to bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities and raise awareness. The networks are also a place for allies to provide support to others. We believe people do their best work when they can be their authentic selves. That’s why we’re committed to creating a truly inclusive culture at Sanger Institute. We will consider all individuals without discrimination and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, where everyone can thrive.
Our Benefits: We are proud to deliver an awarding campus-wide employee wellbeing strategy and programme. The importance of good health and adopting a healthier lifestyle and the commitment to reduce work-related stress is strongly acknowledged and recognised at Sanger Institute. Sanger Institute became a signatory of the International Technician Commitment initiative In March 2018. The Technician Commitment aims to empower and ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research, across all disciplines.
Athena Swan Lead employer: Sanger Institute
At the Wellcome Sanger Institute, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion, making us an exceptional employer for those passionate about advancing gender equality through the Athena Swan programme. Our hybrid working model promotes a healthy work-life balance, while our supportive staff networks and comprehensive wellbeing initiatives ensure that all employees can thrive in an inclusive environment. Join us in shaping the future of human health and enjoy meaningful career growth opportunities in a collaborative and innovative setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Athena Swan Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation inside out! Research their values, mission, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn, attend relevant events, and engage with their social media. Building connections can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience aligns with their Athena Swan goals and be ready to share specific examples of your achievements in gender equality and inclusion.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Athena Swan Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight your experience with the Athena Swan Charter and how it aligns with our goals. We want to see your passion for gender equality and how you can contribute to our mission.
Tailor Your CV:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to showcase your relevant skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your track record in leading successful Athena Swan submissions and your expertise in EDI.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the point while still showcasing your personality.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanger Institute
✨Know Your Athena Swan Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Athena Swan Charter and its latest updates. Familiarise yourself with the Silver award criteria and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these standards. This will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also genuinely passionate about gender equality.
✨Prepare Evidence-Led Examples
Think of specific instances where you've successfully led Athena Swan submissions or similar initiatives. Be ready to share data-driven insights that demonstrate your analytical skills and how they’ve influenced decision-making in previous roles. This will highlight your ability to operate at both strategic and delivery levels.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Since stakeholder engagement is key, prepare to discuss how you’ve influenced senior leaders in the past. Think about your communication style and how you can adapt it to different audiences. Show that you can build relationships and drive change across various levels of an organisation.
✨Show Your Commitment to EDI
Be ready to articulate your genuine commitment to advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. Share your thoughts on how you would embed the Athena Swan principles within the wider EDI agenda. This will demonstrate that you’re not just ticking boxes but are truly invested in creating a supportive and inclusive culture.
