Director of Operations for the Chief Scientist

Named in honour of Alan Turing, the Institute is a place for inspiring, exciting work and we need passionate, sharp, and innovative people who want to use their skills to contribute to our mission to make great leaps in data science and AI research to change the world for the better.

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Position

The Director of Operations for the Chief Scientist is an integral part of the Science and Innovation (S&I) leadership team and will work closely with the Chief Scientist (CS) to lead the planning and administration of S&I activity at an exciting and important time in the organisation’s evolution. In some organisations this role may be called a Chief of Staff, suiting an action-orientated individual who can master a diverse range of briefs and juggle them appropriately, as per the needs of the organisation, and can be flexible in their role as the structures around the CS evolve. The key responsibilities of this role are:

1. Lead planning and administration activity on behalf of the CS, including the coordination, tracking and progress of key activity at the Institute level across Science & Innovation, communicating and delegating tasks as appropriate.
2. Represent the CS at appropriate internal and external events and meetings.
3. Distil complex information and formulate simple prioritised actions.
4. Working closely with operational teams, support the CS with the ongoing development and execution of the Institute’s S&I strategies ensuring an impact driven focus.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

1. Provide strategic, policy, personnel and budgetary advice, support and challenge to the CS, to enable the successful delivery of the Institute’s scientific strategies and strategic alignment of new activity.
2. Lead on specific deep dive projects in particular priority areas for the Institute (e.g. Grand Challenge area), ensuring their prioritisation and effective and timely completion.
3. Represent and/or support the CS in both internal and external meetings, committees, working groups and various Boards, reading the runes, taking notes and assuming responsibility for compilation of action items and monitoring their completion.
4. On behalf of the CS and other senior leaders across the Institute, identify and collaboratively resolve complex, likely sensitive, issues often where guidance does not exist or where there is a lack of precedent, offering resolution or escalating as appropriate.
5. Working with the partnerships team as appropriate, support the CS in building new and managing existing relationships with government departments and agencies, academia, research councils, research institutes, as well as with the academies, learned societies and other relevant organisations.
6. Work in advance of key meetings with participants and partners, to craft effective agenda and anticipated outputs, developing presentations and preparing briefing notes and key actions when required.
7. Provide secretariate support for the Science Executive Team (SET), chairing the meeting when required.

Requirements:

1. A master’s degree, or equivalent relevant experience, in a science of technology discipline, and evidence of continued professional development.
2. Experience of working as part of or alongside a senior or executive team, or leading a support function for a senior or executive team.
3. In depth understanding of the national data science and AI landscape, in the context of AI for Physical Systems within Science and Engineering.
4. Experience of the work of a research, higher education or science organisation, and/or experience of the work of a science and innovation focussed publicly funded or governmental organisation.
5. Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills at all levels.
6. Demonstrable ability to build and develop effective working relationships with partner organisations and working with a diverse set of stakeholders.
7. Experience of drafting high quality speeches, presentations and documents.
8. Evidence of holding to a clear strategy and set of values while responding appropriately to short term challenges and priorities.

Please see the job description for a full breakdown of the role and person specification.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, you will need to register on our applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter.

If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us on 020 3862 3335 or email .

If you are applying for more than one role at the Turing, please note that only one Cover Letter can be visible on your profile at one time. If you wish to apply for multiple roles and do not want to overwrite your existing Cover Letter, please apply for the role using the button below and forward your additional cover letter directly to quoting the job title.

If you are an internal applicant and wish to apply, please send your CV and Cover Letter directly to and your application will be considered.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: THURSDAY 06 MARCH 2025 AT 23:59 (LONDON, UK, GMT).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full-time post is offered on a permanent basis. The annual salary is circa £90,000 including flexible working and family friendly policies Employee-only benefits guide | The Alan Turing Institute .

The Alan Turing Institute is based at the British Library, in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter. We expect staff to come to our office at least 4 days per month. Some roles may require more days in the office; the hiring manager will be able to confirm this during the interview.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued, and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

We are committed to building a diverse community and would like our leadership team to reflect this. We therefore welcome applications from the broadest spectrum of backgrounds.

We are committed to making sure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. This includes making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have a disability or long-term condition. Please contact us at to find out how we can assist you.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from

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