Head of Academic Relationships

You will be working within the Research, Evidence and Knowledge Division in the Science Group’s Scientific Strategy & Development Directorate. The division consists of two teams providing support to all of UKHSA: Knowledge & Library Services (KLS) and the Research Support & Governance Office (RSGO).

The Academic Relationships function manages the key relationships between UKHSA and universities, supporting academic research and related activities to ensure a focus on UKHSA’s need for evidence and expertise, managing the allocation of honorary contracts to individual academics and their work in support of UKHSA, facilitating student placements and a range of other collaborations. The focus of the team is very much on ensuring mutual support of UKHSA and universities to deliver benefits across the public health sector and for the population.

Applicants are strongly advised to refer to the criteria in the person specification (available within the job description) within their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.

Main duties of the job

The purpose of this role is to lead UKHSA’s Academic Relationships team and function. The emphasis will be developing, influencing and managing relationships with academic partner organisations which deliver public health academic research and other evidence-based activities that contribute to the achievement of UKHSA aims.

The role directly manages the development and maintenance of relationships with universities and currently some 300 individual academics.

You will work with staff across UKHSA, universities (and overarching bodies), local government, other government departments and research organisations, including funding bodies, to promote public health academic activity and provide an evidence base for effective public health advice and practice.

Youwill manage the controlled tendering process to the academic network and will be the Information Asset Owner for the academic database which forms part of our Information Asset Register.

Working for your organisation

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

For more information and how to apply for this vacancy please visit:

Closing Date: 16 July 2024.

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