Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead UKRI's corporate strategy and performance, collaborating with senior leaders and government officials.
- Company: Join UKRI, the UK's main research and innovation agency, investing nearly £9bn annually.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, a generous pension scheme, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national prosperity and the environment while fostering innovation.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and strategic thinking skills are essential; knowledge of research is a plus.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to shape the future of research and innovation in the UK.
The predicted salary is between 91943 - 103000 £ per year.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the UK’s main research and innovation agency. As the largest public funder of research and innovation in the UK, we are a strategic partner to Government, and foster the thriving research and innovation ecosystem needed for effective investment from a wide range of other funders. We maximise value from the UK Government’s investment in research and innovation, investing nearly £9bn per annum into a diverse and dynamic portfolio in people and careers, places and infrastructure, and ideas and innovation.
The role forms part of the wider Investment Planning and Strategy Group (IPS) which also includes the central analytic function and investment planning. This role makes a major contribution to the whole of UKRI and, in turn, a significant impact, through research and innovation, on citizens’ lives, national prosperity, and the environment.
Role Purpose
The Deputy Director for Strategy, Governance and Performance role is an integral part of UKRI’s senior leadership team which currently has overall responsibility for drawing up UKRI’s corporate strategy and annual plans, overseeing our sponsorship relationship with DSIT, developing our planning and performance frameworks, and providing leadership to key wider corporate support functions including CEO’s office and the main secretariat.
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting the development and delivery of UKRI’s strategic plan; working across IPS and UKRI and with external partners to align objectives to define and deliver UKRI’s mission.
- Ensuring a robust and aligned suite of Council Strategic Delivery Plans and UKRI’s annual Corporate Plan to ensure delivery of UKRI’s objectives.
- Development and oversight of UKRI’s performance management framework, including quarterly reporting, annual balanced scorecard.
- Lead the management of UKRI’s relationship with the DSIT sponsorship function, including oversight of UKRI’s Framework document, corporate objectives and indicators.
- Nurture our sponsorship relationship with UKRI, ensuring a strong and collaborative partnership based on coherence and consistency.
- Oversight and management of the UKRI CEO office, ensuring coordinated, joined-up decision-making that supports the delivery of our organisational objectives.
- Oversight and management of the new Integrative Secretariat Function.
- Oversight of IPS business planning and operations, ensuring IPS operates effectively and efficiently within its delegated limits.
- Represent IPS at senior UKRI governance committees.
You will need to provide visible leadership across UKRI, acting as a role model, inspiring teams and creating a culture of professional excellence, collaboration, inclusion, innovation and flexibility.
Person Specification
Essential
- Strategic thinking and analysis - ability to see the bigger picture and develop high-impact strategies that align to organisational objectives and national policy priorities.
- Significant senior leadership experience with a proven ability to lead, develop, engage and inspire diverse teams through change.
- Resilience and flexibility to thrive in complex changing environments, and to act decisively under pressure.
- Able to generate trusted relationships and achieve buy-in at all levels with a diverse range of stakeholders across sectors and organisational boundaries.
- Politically astute with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to influence and maintain relationships at an organisational and Whitehall level.
- Confidence to challenge the status quo, develop innovative solutions and model curiosity and thought leadership.
Desirable
- An understanding of the research and innovation sector and of central government.
- Experience of leading corporate strategy, performance management and governance in a large and complex organisation.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role.
Deputy Director for Corporate Strategy, Planning and Performance, UKRI employer: UKRI
Contact Detail:
UKRI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Director for Corporate Strategy, Planning and Performance, UKRI
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with UKRI's current strategic plan and its objectives. Understanding the key priorities and how they align with national policy will help you articulate your vision for the role during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former UKRI employees to gain insights into the organisational culture and expectations. This can provide you with valuable information that can be used to tailor your approach and demonstrate your fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading diverse teams through change. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully navigated complex environments, as this is a crucial aspect of the Deputy Director role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on recent developments in the research and innovation sector, particularly those related to government policies. Being well-informed will allow you to engage in meaningful discussions and showcase your political astuteness during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Director for Corporate Strategy, Planning and Performance, UKRI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Deputy Director for Corporate Strategy, Planning and Performance at UKRI. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and person specification to tailor your application effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should clearly outline how your experience aligns with the essential criteria listed in the job description. Highlight your strategic thinking, leadership experience, and ability to engage diverse teams, providing specific examples where possible.
Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and tailored to the role. Focus on relevant experience that demonstrates your capabilities in strategic planning, performance management, and stakeholder engagement. Use clear headings and bullet points for easy readability.
Follow Application Instructions: Pay close attention to the application instructions provided by UKRI. Include the job reference number in the filename of your documents and ensure both your CV and cover letter are submitted as specified. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered.
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the key responsibilities of the Deputy Director for Corporate Strategy, Planning and Performance. Familiarise yourself with UKRI's strategic goals and how this role contributes to them. This will help you articulate your vision and how your experience aligns with their objectives.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Given that this role involves significant senior leadership, be prepared to discuss your past experiences in leading diverse teams through change. Highlight specific examples where you've inspired and engaged teams, particularly in complex environments, to demonstrate your capability in this area.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
UKRI is looking for someone who can see the bigger picture and develop high-impact strategies. Be ready to discuss your approach to strategic planning and how you've successfully aligned organisational objectives with national policy priorities in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Scenarios
This position requires building trusted relationships across various sectors. Prepare examples of how you've effectively engaged with stakeholders at different levels, particularly in government or large organisations. Show your understanding of the importance of collaboration and how you can foster strong partnerships.
