Wallingford, Oxfordshire Remuneration: £5,000 pa plus UKCEH Enterprise related travel & subsistence Time Requirements: Minimally, 10 days per annum Closing date for applications, Thursday, 5th June 2025 at 23:59. We reserve the right to close this advert early if we find the right candidate, so we encourage you to apply early. Help Shape the Future of Environmental Innovation Here at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), we’re looking for an innovative and entrepreneurial Enterprise Non-Executive Director to guide the strategic direction of UKCEH Enterprise Ltd, our trading subsidiary. If you have a passion for innovative business growth, a proven ability in commercialisation, and a commitment to sustainability, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact. About UKCEH Enterprise Ltd: UKCEH Enterprise Ltd is wholly owned trading subsidiary of UKCEH – the UK's Centre of Excellence for integrated research in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, and their interaction with the atmosphere. As a world-leading, independent research institute, UKCEH boasts over 600 staff and 50 postgraduate students across four UK locations. UKCEH Enterprise Ltd transforms cutting-edge environmental science into commercially viable products and services, driving innovation, business development, and impact. With a mission to enable sustainable development, it ensures that UKCEH’s research, data, and expertise deliver real-world solutions. The Role: This Non-executive Director role will help shape UKCEH Enterprise’s strategic direction and support its development and growth, understanding the charitable aims of UKCEH as a whole and using your experience and insight to help build an innovative and enterprising arm for UKCEH and promoting its impact. As a member of our Enterprise Board, we’ll invite you to share your insights and guidance, helping us build meaningful relationships with investors, the private sector, and other key stakeholders. You'll play a vital role in shaping new commercial opportunities, including those linked to our licensed information products, while supporting our mission to maximise the impact of UKCEH’s cutting-edge science. With a strong understanding of UKCEH’s charitable aims, you'll use your experience to build an innovative, enterprising arm for UKCEH, promoting its impact and commercial potential. You'll play a key role in helping us to expand our networks, enhancing our approach to innovation, and guiding us in managing risk and seizing new opportunities. We're looking for an experienced Non-Executive Director with a background in innovation, commercialisation, or investment, who can help shape our strategic direction, oversee performance, ensure financial accountability, and drive effective risk management. With a commitment to our mission, you'll bring sharp independent judgement, creative problem-solving skills, and a readiness to lead major change. You'll also be a skilled communicator, able to navigate complex challenges, build consensus, and work effectively within a high-performing team. Experience: Successful experience of operating within a board and/or senior executive level in the private sector A track record of strategic leadership in innovation, investment in R&D, commercialisation and the development of new businesses and creation of new income generating opportunities in the private sector, nationally and internationally, in areas relevant to UKCEH’s research, products, and services, preferably with experience of overseas trading subsidiaries and/or overseas organisations Demonstrable experience of establishing and sustaining effective relationships to achieve organisational objectives, including building business partnerships relevant to UKCEH’s commercial opportunities A proven track record of sound judgement, strategic thinking and effective decision-making Impartiality, an ability to respect confidences and evidential commitment to promoting the values of an organisation. Knowledge, skills and understanding: Skills in commercial innovation - from new product and service development to commercialisation - across public and private sectors Knowledge and understanding of the markets where UKCEH Enterprise could be active including developing and emerging markets and economies Understanding of the range of modes of Knowledge Exchange and thus an ability to inform the organisational strategy to optimise the impact and benefits of UKCEH research, products and services The ability to apply knowledge strategically, think creatively and keep mission focussed Commitment to the organisation and a willingness and availability to devote the necessary time and effort Strong independent judgement and strategic vision Able to analyse and understand complex issues and make systematic and rational judgments based on relevant information Preparedness to consider the range of perspectives and explore alternative outcomes, respecting alternative views and the value of compromise Good understanding of leading major change High calibre communication and ability to work effectively as a member of a highly performing team. Knowledge of the UK research funding landscape and/ or how research institutes operate in the wider research and innovation environment and/ or experience of enterprise arms in a University setting would be beneficial. Apply today! If this opportunity resonates with you and aligns with your personal career goals, the team would love to receive your application. Please apply by submitting your CV along with a covering letter that highlights any qualifications, skills or experience you believe are relevant to this role. At UKCEH, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone—regardless of background, identity, ability, or circumstance—has the opportunity to thrive. We seek to achieve diversity in our Board and particularly welcome applications from women and ethnic minorities. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from neurodivergent candidates and those with disabilities. We are happy to provide any adjustments or support you may need throughout the application process—please don’t hesitate to reach out. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we’d love to hear from you anyway. You may be just the right fit for this role or another within our wider team. Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.