Strategic Improvement Coach

Hours: Part Time (18.75 working hours per week)

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to December 2025 

IMPACT is the UK centre for implementing evidence in adult social care, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Health Foundation. IMPACT draws on knowledge from different types of research, the lived experience of people who draw on care and support and carers, and the practice knowledge of social care staff. 

IMPACT Demonstrators focus on a large, strategic issue in a host organisation or local system, helping to get evidence of what works used in practice to make a difference to services and to people’s lives.

Each Demonstrator is typically supported by two Senior Strategic Improvement Coaches. In each pair of coaches, one appointee will often have a background in strategy / improvement and have experience of applied research, organisational development or behavioural science. The other may well have experience of drawing on care, being a carer or working in front-line roles. We recognise that we all have multiple aspects to our identity, and that some candidates may bring a combination of these different backgrounds and experiences. 

Main Duties

• Supported by IMPACT’s national Demonstrator lead, lead negotiation with the Demonstrator site regarding what support will be provided by IMPACT and how this will complement the local site’s responsibilities (the ‘contracting’ process) 
• Supported by other members of IMPACT staff, support the implementation of insights from the evidence. [Reviews of the evidence are typically conducted by other members of the team ahead of projects starting, but some projects can sometimes involve additional reviewing and synthesis, with support] 
• Work with local stakeholders to design the change project and articulate a local ‘theory of change’ to help structure the project. [This will set out key features of the current context, the change process, expected outputs and outcomes, and the underlying assumptions of how change will be achieved] 
• Facilitate the change project on the ground, bringing together key stakeholders from across the local site to design, deliver and sustain local change 
• Ensure that the local site/service commits to the active and meaningful involvement of people whose voices are seldom heard and to co-production at all stages of the project, challenging and rectifying power imbalances where needed and working sensitively but courageously with issues of power, equality, diversity and inclusion 

Person Specification

• Senior experience as a manager or practitioner, or as an applied researcher, management consultant or improvement coach in relevant fields 
• Extensive experience of leading and designing strategic improvement projects within adult social care or in a field relevant to adult social care 
• Demonstrable commitment to the values of co-production and knowledge of how to embed these values in practice 
• First degree OR equivalent professional qualification OR sufficient practical experience to demonstrate relevant knowledge and skills 
• An understanding of the factors that enable or prevent change in adult social care and how evidence can be used to increase likelihood of success 

Informal enquiries to Robin Miller, email: r.s.miller@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

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