Overview
Executive Director for Portfolios, Partnerships and Engagement, AHRC
Band: UKRI X - £91,943-£99,000 per annum (depending on skills and experience)
Hours: Full time (37 hours)
Location: Swindon - Please note, applicants must be willing and able to travel regularly within the UK and occasionally overseas to maintain and enhance our strong partnership networks
Contract: Open-ended contract; secondment arrangements also welcome (minimum of 3 years with possibility of extension)
Closing Date: 5th October 2025 (23:55)
Interview Date(s): 30th /31st October 2025
About the Role
We have an outstanding opportunity for a highly skilled and experienced individual to take on the role of Executive Director of Portfolios, Partnerships and Engagement in AHRC. This is a remarkable chance to lead AHRC’s strategic partnerships and engagement domain, alongside managing flagship portfolios in the Cultural and Creative Economy portfolios. You will be part of AHRC’s Executive Leadership Team, driving the strategic research direction of the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide clear, collaborative, and collective leadership as part of the AHRC Executive Leadership Team.
* Empower direct reports and their teams to be purposeful and strategic in their operations and delivery.
* Lead the strategic Partnerships and Engagement domain, inspiring and developing a team that collaborates across the organisation.
* Coordinate AHRC’s Cultural and Creative Economy portfolios, ensuring strategic alignment and outcome focus.
* Undertake Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) responsibilities for major infrastructure investment programmes.
* Lead the strategic relationship management and engagement with AHRC's strategic partners.
* Build new and innovative external partnerships to increase co-funding opportunities.
* Lead on the progression of AHRC policy and practice to support better partnering and engagement.
Person Specification
Seeking a team-oriented leader skilled in communication, program delivery, partnership building, investment support, and team leadership in dynamic settings.
Candidates will be assessed against the following criteria throughout the recruitment process:
* Proven track record of crafting and delivering organisational strategy and major investments in the arts and humanities or a related sector.
* A consultative and adaptable leadership style, working flexibly and visibly across teams and sectors.
* Demonstrable experience of influencing and managing relationships at senior levels.
* Extensive experience providing advice and assurance on the design and delivery of complex programmes.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills.
* Experience of building, motivating and developing high-performing and diverse teams.
* Strong ability to manage and deliver outcomes under pressure and at pace.
* Strong analytical skills, including the capacity to assess arguments and make decisions based on evidence.
* Essential: Educated to degree level in a relevant field.
* Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in arts and humanities or a related field.
Qualifications
* Essential: Educated to degree level in a relevant field.
* Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in arts and humanities or a related field.
For the full information on the responsibilities and requirements, please view the candidate prospectus (here).
Other Key Information
* Applicants are required to provide an up-to-date CV and a statement of suitability/cover letter (up to 2 pages per document) outlining their suitability for the role against the advertised criteria. For further information on what to include in your application, please see the “How to apply” section below.
* We reserve the right to close the application period early if a sufficient number of applications is received. Any changes to the closing date will be reflected on our careers site.
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