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Home , Eastern ARC, GW4, Midlands Innovation, University of Exeter

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

May 2016 Candidate Brief

Contents

2 The GW4 Alliance

3 The

4 The

5

6 The University of

7 GW4 Governance and relationships

8 Person specification

9 Terms of appointment

9 How to apply

1 Candidate Brief

The GW4 Alliance

GW4 is a strategic research and innovation alliance between The University of Bath leads on the Sharing Research the four research-intensive universities in the South-West and Infrastructure workstream. This workstream is committed to South Wales super-region (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter). sharing infrastructure and opening up more opportunities to GW4 was established and designed to catalyse discovery and collaborate by sharing and co-investment in equipment and creativity for the benefit of society, the economy, environment, facilities. The GW4 Equipment Sharing Database. The GW4 health and the arts. The combined excellence of the GW4 on-line searchable Equipment Sharing Database is open to all alliance links the four universities together and has created GW4 researchers and is accessible via the GW4 website. It is a major new research and innovation powerhouse. We are the fully compliant with RCUK funder requirements and feeds bridge between two nations, connecting the cities of Exeter, directly into the EPSRC national equipment database. Our GW4 Bristol, Bath and Cardiff and the communities around them. Treasures brings together 10 kilometres of Rare Books and 5 Together we generate talent for the industries of tomorrow and kilometres of Manuscripts and Archives that cover a huge range develop solutions to economic and societal challenges. of subject areas and offer unlimited potential in support of cross-institutional research partnerships and collaborative GW4 Key facts (figures for 2014-15): working. • £1.6bn turnover The University of Bristol leads on Building Capacity and • £370m p/a research income Developing People (BCDP). GW4 is unique amongst regional • 8,000 academic staff collaborations in having a work-stream that focuses entirely • Higher REF 2014 performance than the N8, on ‘people’, both research students and staff. GW4 has a and Eastern Arc substantive track record of achievement in these domains. • 37 cohort-based doctoral training centres and partnerships We are particularly strong in externally funded postgraduate research partnerships and centres with GW4 universities involved • 23,000 post graduate students in 37 funded cohort-based programmes and hosting 27 of The Alliance has four workstreams, each led by one of the these centres. The aim of this workstream is to strengthen our partner universities, to drive this vision forward. A key aim of portfolio of funded doctoral programmes and enable students the GW4 Alliance is to build research communities of scale and staff to broaden and enrich their research experience and capability that will deliver a step change in world-class and to equip them to reap the full benefits of collaborative research. The Building Communities workstream, led by University working, shared learning, training, development and of Exeter, is designed to build new, high-quality GW4 research partnership opportunities. communities or help existing collaborations to build on their Cardiff University leads on the Connectivity and Communications work and secure long term sustainable funding. Since starting workstream. The aim of this workstream is to support the in 2014 GW4 has invested over £1.6M in developing GW4 collaborative working of the GW4 Alliance both internally and research communities through its competitive Initiator externally, and to develop and implement the communications, and Accelerator funding schemes. To date it has funded promotion and marketing strategy of the Alliance. Cardiff are 57 GW4 research communities across all disciplines which also currently responsible for the GW4 Website. in turn has leveraged £4.2m of external funding to date. See www..ac.uk for more information.

2 Candidate Brief

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 Candidate Brief

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 Candidate Brief

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 , 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 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 Candidate Brief

The

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 , Guardian and Sunday Times league tables. It is also ranked amongst the world’s top 200 universities in the QS and 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 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 choosing to relocate.

6 Candidate Brief

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 . Full details of the GW4 Organisation can be found at www.gw4.ac.uk/organisation The Director Role Summary Working closely with the GW4 Board, and the Research Offices at each institution, the Director will be accountable for the The Director will lead and manage the GW4 research and following: innovation alliance, a strategic partnership between the four • To provide visible leadership for the GW4 alliance, and be research-intensive universities in the South-West/South Wales the key liaison internally and externally, developing excellent region (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter). We are looking for working relationships with government officials in Westminster an outstanding candidate who has extensive and demonstrable and Welsh Government and with major funding bodies, the success in building strategic and influential relationships with private sector, government agencies, the NHS and key third policy makers, funders, and governments and delivering large sector organisations. collaborative projects in a complex environment. • To work with the GW4 Council and Board and University The management and governance of GW4 has been distributed Research Directors to refine and deliver the GW4 research equally across the 4 partners since the inception of the alliance, and innovation strategy and operational plans and the four working groups have made impressive progress in establishing new research communities from the bottom up • To provide strategic leadership to, and maintain oversight as well as on a number of other joint activities, for example of, the current portfolio of research and innovation communities collaborative Doctoral Training partnerships and Centres, shared and workstreams (including the GW4 equipment sharing Post Graduate Research student training and staff development. initiative and website) However to drive GW4 to the next level as well as to capitalise • To raise the profile of GW4 with key internal and external on the political environment that recognises the increasing audiences. role of the regions, this new Director role was created. • To ensure that the structures of GW4 are effectively aligned The Director will further develop the GW4 research and innovation to the ambitions and expectations of its Council and Board strategy and facilitate its delivery. They will represent and promote that strategy at the highest level across a wide range • To stimulate and consider new methods for innovative delivery of bodies (national and local Government; funding bodies; of GW4 activities, including collaborative funded research research councils; HEFCE/W; research charities; industry). projects that will exploit the combined research power They will be responsible for developing new collaborative of the partner universities. research projects and strategic relationships with the public • To be responsible for the financial management of GW4 as and private sector. mandated by the Board (current budget £1m per annum) The Director will be accountable for the vision and overall • To respond on behalf of GW4 to key consultations. success of GW4, originating and articulating clear goals and objectives and overseeing their successful delivery. • To liaise effectively with GW4 University research and innovation directors and other senior staff responsible for delivering Specific Responsibilities GW4 supported activity in their locales. The GW4 Directorate will consist of a Director, an administrator • To provide quarterly and annual reporting to the Board, and a communications and marketing manager in the first monitoring value for money and return on investment on instance. Each University partner will continue to commit behalf of the partner universities. Programme Manager time as the key contact points into each •  To understand the research portfolio of the partner universities institution to catalyse, coordinate and help deliver GW4 and horizon scan for GW4 research and regional opportunities. workstream and other activities.

7 Candidate Brief

Person specification

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

8 Candidate Brief

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 , and to London (on average 2 days per week). How to apply

Applications should be made online at www.http://www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs (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 [email protected] or Bristol’s Head of Research Development, Lorna Colquhoun at [email protected]

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