Candidate Brief. Brief for the position of Director of the GW4 Research and Innovation Alliance

Transcription

1 Brief for the position of Director of the GW4 Research and Innovation Alliance May 2016

2 Contents 2 The GW4 Alliance 3 The University of Bristol 4 The University of Bath 5 Cardiff University 6 The University of Exeter 7 GW4 Governance and relationships 8 Person specification 9 Terms of appointment 9 How to apply 1

3 The GW4 Alliance GW4 is a strategic research and innovation alliance between the four research-intensive universities in the South-West and South Wales super-region (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter). GW4 was established and designed to catalyse discovery and creativity for the benefit of society, the economy, environment, health and the arts. The combined excellence of the GW4 alliance links the four universities together and has created a major new research and innovation powerhouse. We are the bridge between two nations, connecting the cities of Exeter, Bristol, Bath and Cardiff and the communities around them. Together we generate talent for the industries of tomorrow and develop solutions to economic and societal challenges. GW4 Key facts (figures for ): 1.6bn turnover 370m p/a research income 8,000 academic staff Higher REF 2014 performance than the N8, Midlands Innovation and Eastern Arc 37 cohort-based doctoral training centres and partnerships 23,000 post graduate students The Alliance has four workstreams, each led by one of the partner universities, to drive this vision forward. A key aim of the GW4 Alliance is to build research communities of scale and capability that will deliver a step change in world-class research. The Building Communities workstream, led by University of Exeter, is designed to build new, high-quality GW4 research communities or help existing collaborations to build on their work and secure long term sustainable funding. Since starting in 2014 GW4 has invested over 1.6M in developing GW4 research communities through its competitive Initiator and Accelerator funding schemes. To date it has funded 57 GW4 research communities across all disciplines which in turn has leveraged 4.2m of external funding to date. The University of Bath leads on the Sharing Research Infrastructure workstream. This workstream is committed to sharing infrastructure and opening up more opportunities to collaborate by sharing and co-investment in equipment and facilities. The GW4 Equipment Sharing Database. The GW4 on-line searchable Equipment Sharing Database is open to all GW4 researchers and is accessible via the GW4 website. It is fully compliant with RCUK funder requirements and feeds directly into the EPSRC national equipment database. Our GW4 Treasures brings together 10 kilometres of Rare Books and 5 kilometres of Manuscripts and Archives that cover a huge range of subject areas and offer unlimited potential in support of cross-institutional research partnerships and collaborative working. The University of Bristol leads on Building Capacity and Developing People (BCDP). GW4 is unique amongst regional collaborations in having a work-stream that focuses entirely on people, both research students and staff. GW4 has a substantive track record of achievement in these domains. We are particularly strong in externally funded postgraduate research partnerships and centres with GW4 universities involved in 37 funded cohort-based programmes and hosting 27 of these centres. The aim of this workstream is to strengthen our portfolio of funded doctoral programmes and enable students and staff to broaden and enrich their research experience and to equip them to reap the full benefits of collaborative working, shared learning, training, development and partnership opportunities. Cardiff University leads on the Connectivity and Communications workstream. The aim of this workstream is to support the collaborative working of the GW4 Alliance both internally and externally, and to develop and implement the communications, promotion and marketing strategy of the Alliance. Cardiff are also currently responsible for the GW4 Website. See for more information. 2

4 The University of Bristol For over a century, the University of Bristol has inspired generations of students, pushed back the frontiers of human understanding, and served its city-region and nation with distinction. It is one of the most popular and successful universities in the UK and one of the world s top research intensive universities fifth in the UK in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework and 37th in the 2015 QS World Rankings. Today, the University employs internationally respected academics and recruits some of the brightest students from across the globe; no less than 12 Bristol graduates and members of staff have been awarded Nobel Prizes. With an annual turnover of 485m, the University continues to invest in new technology and services, to offer the best student experience. Bristol s academics are engaged with the cultural life, structure and history of societies and communities across the world; with the future of science and technology; and with the development of innovation in every field. The University actively encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, and nurtures creativity and independence of mind. The University is located in the heart of the city of Bristol, and is a major force in the economic, social and cultural life one of the most beautiful and liveable cities in Europe. Bristol is an extraordinary global city with a powerful tradition of enterprise, exploration and non-conformism. It is a Social Enterprise City, the UK s first European Green Capital, and one of the UK s five Centres of Cultural Excellence. Bristol is also home to the only fast-growing and globally significant tech cluster in the UK and, is one of the leading digital clusters in the UK. The University constantly uses research collaboration, educational partnerships, placements and knowledge exchange to build links with the external community and its industries. It has a strong record in creation and support of new companies and enterprises and the licensing of intellectual property. In 2013, the University collaborated with Bristol City Council to create Engine Shed already world renowned as an exemplar in University/business/local authority collaboration. 3

5 The University of Bath The University of Bath received its Royal Charter in 1966 and is now firmly established as a top ten UK university with a reputation for research and teaching excellence. Its vibrant research culture is driven by the enthusiasm and invention of its academic community. In REF 2014, 32% of submitted research activity was classified as world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour, while 87% was defined as world-leading/internationally excellent. Students are attracted by the University s excellent academic reputation, outstanding graduate employment record, world-class sports facilities, and wide array of other social, recreational and personal development opportunities. Over 25% of students come from outside the UK, representing over 100 nationalities. The University is unique among UK research-intensive universities for its ability to offer placement options across its discipline base, and with leading organisations. Over 60% of undergraduates undertake an industrial or business placement, which translates to improved career prospects. 85% of employed UK full-time first degree graduates are in the top three occupational groups, compared with 64% of employed graduates nationally. The campus overlooks the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath, which was first established as a spa town by the Romans around AD 60. Its popularity during the Georgian era led to a major expansion, leaving a heritage of architecture crafted from honey-coloured Bath stone. Students benefit from accommodation in the city centre, with easy access to its amenities. The campus offers excellent facilities for teaching, accommodation and leisure, and benefits from continual investment. In 2012, the University began a three-year campus improvement project to provide new teaching space, student accommodation and a new space for the arts. The Innovation Centre provides support and expertise to local technology enterprises that emerge from the University s academic research. The University is a sector leader in the commercial exploitation of intellectual property, with strong international links. 4

6 Cardiff University Founded in 1883, Cardiff University is established as one of Britain s leading research universities. It is an international community, with more than 7,500 international students and 6,800 staff from 78 countries. It has more than 145,000 alumni in more than 180 countries. The University has a strong commitment to the student experience. In 2015 it scored more than 90 per cent in the National Student Survey, placing Cardiff in third place among research-intensive UK universities for overall student satisfaction. It also has a strong graduate employment record, with 95 per cent of students finding employment or further study within six months of graduating, more than any other Russell Group university. Academic staff are leaders in their fields, creating a stimulating environment for learning. The quality and impact of Cardiff s research was evidenced in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), when Cardiff came fifth amongst UK universities when measured on research excellence. Cardiff was ranked as the 2nd university nationally based on the impact of its research. The University has created nine major Research Institutes to pursue new scientific approaches to some of the world s most pressing concerns. Cardiff University contributes 2.7bn annually to the UK economy, generating more than 6 for every 1 it spends and is an expert in turning its world-leading research into commercial success. It has established the Cardiff Innovation System which aims to create economic and social prosperity by turning ideas and innovations into products, technologies, spin-outs and start-ups. This thriving culture of innovation will be supported by a new campus and is characterised by a commitment to connect industry, business, and government with academics; to nurture student entrepreneurship; and to champion grass-roots business development. The capital city of Wales is a friendly, compact and safe city with a great character and impressive heritage. The University s Cathays Park, home to the majority of its Academic Schools, is located in and around Cardiff s beautiful civic centre, which boasts impressive Portland stone buildings, parks and tree-lined avenues. In recent years, substantial investment includes the development of advanced research facilities in the 30m Hadyn Ellis building and the 44m Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC). At the Heath Park campus the University shares a 53 acre site with the University Hospital Wales, a 900-bed hospital which is one of the largest in the UK. There, progressive healthcare education and patient care integrate with world-famous research facilities to make a major teaching and research centre. 5

7 The University of Exeter The University of Exeter is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive universities. The University s success is built on a strong partnership with its students and a clear focus on high performance. Exeter is ranked amongst the UK s top 10 universities in the Times, Guardian and Sunday Times league tables. It is also ranked amongst the world s top 200 universities in the QS and Times Higher Education rankings. The campus community is friendly, vibrant and diverse. Students report exceptionally high levels of satisfaction with academic staff, improved communication skills and confidence. Exeter has always been among the leaders for student satisfaction, never having been outside the top 10 in the National Student Survey. The senior management team has sought to build on this strength by putting student service at the centre of its strategy. The Students Guild is involved at the earliest stages of strategic planning and given a major role in making spending decisions. This has led to a remarkable degree of joint thinking and team work. Though one of the smallest top ten university campuses in the UK, Exeter excels in tackling some of the world s biggest challenges through research, which then informs teaching. Recent breakthroughs include the identification and treatment of new forms of diabetes and the creation of the world s most transparent, lightweight and flexible conductor of electricity. The Penryn Campus has benefited from the Environment and Sustainability Institute a 30 million interdisciplinary centre that leads cutting-edge research into environmental change. Exeter is consistently rated as one of the best places to live in the UK, with a high quality of life and a low crime rate. Modern businesses mix easily with historic buildings, including the Cathedral and the Guildhall; the oldest civic working building in the country. Between the Exeter Phoenix and the University s Great Hall, the arts programme is diverse and international. The South West has the largest growing population in the UK and around two-thirds of those moving to the region are of working age. Exeter is seen as an increasingly attractive place to do business with major firms such as the Met Office choosing to relocate. 6

8 GW4 Governance and relationships The Director will be responsible to the GW4 Board (with senior representation from each constituent Institution), who report to the GW4 Council (the VCs of each constituent Institution). The employing institution will be University of Bristol, and the Director will be line managed by University of Bristol s Deputy Vice Chancellor. Full details of the GW4 Organisation can be found at The Director Role Summary The Director will lead and manage the GW4 research and innovation alliance, a strategic partnership between the four research-intensive universities in the South-West/South Wales region (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter). We are looking for an outstanding candidate who has extensive and demonstrable success in building strategic and influential relationships with policy makers, funders, and governments and delivering large collaborative projects in a complex environment. The management and governance of GW4 has been distributed equally across the 4 partners since the inception of the alliance, and the four working groups have made impressive progress in establishing new research communities from the bottom up as well as on a number of other joint activities, for example collaborative Doctoral Training partnerships and Centres, shared Post Graduate Research student training and staff development. However to drive GW4 to the next level as well as to capitalise on the political environment that recognises the increasing role of the regions, this new Director role was created. The Director will further develop the GW4 research and innovation strategy and facilitate its delivery. They will represent and promote that strategy at the highest level across a wide range of bodies (national and local Government; funding bodies; research councils; HEFCE/W; research charities; industry). They will be responsible for developing new collaborative research projects and strategic relationships with the public and private sector. The Director will be accountable for the vision and overall success of GW4, originating and articulating clear goals and objectives and overseeing their successful delivery. Specific Responsibilities The GW4 Directorate will consist of a Director, an administrator and a communications and marketing manager in the first instance. Each University partner will continue to commit Programme Manager time as the key contact points into each institution to catalyse, coordinate and help deliver GW4 workstream and other activities. Working closely with the GW4 Board, and the Research Offices at each institution, the Director will be accountable for the following: To provide visible leadership for the GW4 alliance, and be the key liaison internally and externally, developing excellent working relationships with government officials in Westminster and Welsh Government and with major funding bodies, the private sector, government agencies, the NHS and key third sector organisations. To work with the GW4 Council and Board and University Research Directors to refine and deliver the GW4 research and innovation strategy and operational plans To provide strategic leadership to, and maintain oversight of, the current portfolio of research and innovation communities and workstreams (including the GW4 equipment sharing initiative and website) To raise the profile of GW4 with key internal and external audiences. To ensure that the structures of GW4 are effectively aligned to the ambitions and expectations of its Council and Board To stimulate and consider new methods for innovative delivery of GW4 activities, including collaborative funded research projects that will exploit the combined research power of the partner universities. To be responsible for the financial management of GW4 as mandated by the Board (current budget 1m per annum) To respond on behalf of GW4 to key consultations. To liaise effectively with GW4 University research and innovation directors and other senior staff responsible for delivering GW4 supported activity in their locales. To provide quarterly and annual reporting to the Board, monitoring value for money and return on investment on behalf of the partner universities. To understand the research portfolio of the partner universities and horizon scan for GW4 research and regional opportunities. 7

9 Person specification Educated to a higher degree level, the Director will have substantial and proven management and leadership experience in higher education at a senior level. They will have deep and current knowledge of research and higher education policy, funding bodies and their requirements relevant to research. They will be able to prepare and effectively present strategic and operational plans, to think analytically and strategically and have the skills to implement those plans. The successful candidate will have excellent knowledge and direct experience of strategic research and innovation partnerships across a range of science, social science and arts and humanities disciplines, and between universities and research partners. They will be able to develop collaborative partnerships and manage relationships across geographical and organisational boundaries. They will have the ability to motivate high performance in others, who are not necessarily within line management responsibility, to demonstrate cultural empathy (crossing disciplines and institutions), and to work effectively with wide ranging structures and hierarchies. They will have demonstrated ability to work very effectively with senior academic leaders and to handle cross-boundary political sensitivities, influencing and communicating in a highly effective manner to varied audiences, private and public sector. Extensive communications and marketing experience and budget management essential. 8

10 Terms of appointment The Director will be employed by the University of Bristol, on behalf of the 4 member universities. A full set of accountabilities is included in the separate Job Description. The terms of appointment for this role are as set out in the University of Bristol Terms and Conditions for staff at grade M. The job will require considerable travel between the 4 partner universities and other stakeholders (including overnight stays). The GW4 office will likely be established at a non-university (central Bristol) office location, but could, by agreement with the GW4 Board and Council, be physically based at any of the constituent Universities. Considerable travelling is required, mainly across the South West of England, and to London (on average 2 days per week). How to apply Applications should be made online at www. (Job Number SUPP102349). The closing date for applications is Sunday 19th June. The final interview process at the University of Bristol will take place on Friday 22nd July. Please hold these date(s) in your diary accordingly. In order to apply, please submit a comprehensive curriculum vitae along with a covering letter setting out your interest in the role and details of how you match the required criteria. Please include current salary details and the names and addresses of three referees. Referees will not be approached until the final stages and not without prior permission from candidates. For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact the Chair of the GW4 Board, Professor Guy Orpen at dvc@bristol.ac.uk or Bristol s Head of Research Development, Lorna Colquhoun at lorna.colquhoun@bristol.ac.uk 9