Head of KE Strategy and Engagement

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)

• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)

• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan

• On-Site nursery

• On-site gym

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay

• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

• Discounted medical insurance

About us

UCL is one of the world's leading universities, with a strong commitment to ensuring that our research, expertise and ideas create meaningful economic and societal benefit.

UCL Innovation & Enterprise (I&E), part of Research, Innovation & Global Engagement (RIGE), brings together activity spanning knowledge exchange, business and innovation partnerships, entrepreneurship, translational and industrial research, consultancy, commercial research contracts, and the commercialisation of intellectual property.

Our Knowledge Exchange (KE) activity plays an important role in connecting UCL's expertise with organisations, communities and partners beyond the university. We work across UCL to strengthen the environment for KE, build capability and engagement, and ensure our strategic approach responds to institutional priorities, government policy and funder expectations.

About the role

We are seeking a Head of Knowledge Exchange Strategy & Engagement to join UCL Innovation & Enterprise on a 12-month fixed-term basis to provide maternity cover. The role is also available as a secondment opportunity for internal UCL candidates who apply.

This is a senior strategic role leading the development, implementation and monitoring of UCL's knowledge exchange and innovation strategy. Working across I&E, RIGE, faculties and the wider UCL community, the postholder will help ensure our strategic priorities, resources and delivery activity are aligned and supported by effective governance, planning and reporting.

A key focus will be embedding I&E's strategic planning framework and strengthening how data, evidence and insight are used to inform decision-making and demonstrate impact. This includes oversight of institutional KE monitoring and reporting, including HE-BCI, HEIF and KEF, alongside the production of strategic reports, funder submissions, committee papers and external consultations.

The role will also provide leadership for programmes and initiatives that build KE capability and engagement across UCL, oversee a strategic portfolio of projects and investment, manage resources and budgets, and lead and develop a team of specialist staff.

About you

We are looking for an experienced strategic leader who can operate confidently across a large and complex organisation. You will bring significant experience of developing and implementing organisation-wide strategy or planning frameworks, supported by effective governance and a strong understanding of how evidence and insight can inform organisational decision-making.

You will have experience of leading and developing teams, setting priorities and enabling delivery through others, alongside the ability to provide strategic direction and oversee complex programmes, projects or portfolios. Experience of developing approaches to monitoring, evaluation, data capture and reporting will also be important.

Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills are essential. You will be comfortable working with senior colleagues, navigating competing priorities and ambiguity, and translating complex information into clear and credible reports, briefings and strategic advice.

Knowledge of the UK higher education policy landscape for innovation, enterprise and knowledge exchange, and an understanding of how the wider policy environment shapes organisational strategy, would be particularly valuable.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

You can