Director, Science Policy

Job Scope:

The Royal Society is the independent scientific academy of the UK dedicated to promoting excellence in science for the benefit of humanity. It is a self-governing Fellowship of many of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering and medicine.

Providing scientific advice for policy is one of the Royal Society’s strategic priorities. In recent years, the Society has produced a range of independent and authoritative advice across a range of policy areas as diverse as Artificial Intelligence, Greenhouse Gas Removal, gene drives, mathematics and data education, biodiversity, low carbon energy, investment in science and innovation and science policy more generally.

The Society is seeking an outstanding and experienced candidate to have the vision and energy to build on achievements so far, and to take them to the next level.

The candidate will work closely with the Executive Director and the Society’s Officers in leading a programme of work that takes forward the Fellowship’s aspirations for the Society in the policy domain. They must have the experience and credibility to operate effectively with the Executive Director, Officers and Fellows on the national, European and international stage and develop networks with influencers and decision makers at the highest level.

Background

The Society’s fundamental purpose, reflected in its founding Charters of the 1660s is to recognise, promote and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. The Society has played a part in some of the fundamental, significant and life-changing discoveries in scientific history and Royal Society Fellows and award holders continue to make outstanding contributions to science in many research areas.

The Society derives its authority and expertise in scientific matters from its Fellowship and Foreign Membership.

Providing scientific advice for policy is one of the Society’s strategic priorities and it aims to use its authority and its convening power to ensure science is at the heart of major policy discussions. This is based on the recognition that many critical areas of public policy have scientific aspects, and that well-founded debate and decisions are more likely if decision makers and the publics have access to independent, expert scientific evidence and to scientists. Fellows and Foreign Members are invited to shape and

to contribute to the Society’s policy work through working groups, meetings and other forms of consultation.

The Royal Society has built up an enviable reputation for the quality and breadth of its science policy work over recent decades and policy is now one of the most visible and influential of the Society’s activities.

The Society has a significant international programme, led by the Foreign Secretaries with the support of the International Director, and many of its global collaborations have a policy dimension.

Science policy at the Society

Science policy work is undertaken by the Science Policy team under the direction of the Director, Science Policy, who reports to the Executive Director. The role works closely with other internal teams in design, communications, industry, international, and public engagement. Its role is to work with the Society’s Fellows and other experts to develop and promote independent, expert and timely advice to UK, European and International decision makers in matters of science policy. The team’s work covers policy for science, science policy and education policy.

The Science Policy team aims to:

• Develop and promote high quality independent evidence and advice for decision makers
• Extend the reach, impact and influence of the Society’s policy work with UK, European and International decision makers
• Work closely with the Executive Director, Officers and Fellowship in developing an influencing programme that reflects the policy ambitions of science leaders in the UK.

It does this by:

• Convening at the most senior level
• Promoting accessible, authoritative and relevant science within public and political debates
• Designing and delivering a portfolio of projects, ranging from foundation reports with major recommendations , influential evidence synthesis, and rapid policy positions in fast moving areas.
• Working with the Executive Director, Officers and Fellows, other experts, practitioners and decision- makers on a sustained basis to generate an effective work programme and to ensure that the Society has influential networks.

The Society works with other Academies, learned societies, funding agencies, government, industry and the public sector to develop the case for support for scientific research.

The Society’s authority is vested in its Fellowship,
and its reputation for excellence in science policy is founded on the expertise of its Fellows, its wider convening power, and the quality, rigour and timeliness of its reports. The hallmarks of the Society’s policy work will continue to be excellence, ambition, adaptability and impact. For examples of recent work visit, royalsociety.org.

The Society is an office-based employer, and the majority of our work is carried out in person, therefore any post holder would need to be comfortable with a London, office-based role. Some remote working and hybrid working is offered. For any specific flexibility required, or an informal conversation about the role please contact humanresources@royalsociety.org who will set up an appointment for you.

Some overseas and UK travel will be expected, as well as attendance at a number of evening events.

The remuneration for this job is £145,000 – £155,000 plus benefits, these can be found on our job pages on our website.

The Society offers a wide range of benefits that can be found at: royalsociety.org

How to apply

To apply for this role, please submit your CV and cover letter (of no more than two pages), via our Recruitment  portal.

Closing date: 12 noon, Monday 17 March 2005
 

Please include all relevant details and ensure right to work in the UK. The role will be based at our offices in St James’s, London.

Interviews will be held on:

•  First round: 24 and 26 March 2025

•  Second round: 7 and 8 April 2025

All interviews will be in person and held at: The Royal Society,

6 – 9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG

  The Director reports to the Executive Director, plays an important leadership role within the Society. They attend Council meetings and is a member of the Chief Executive’s senior team

The Director must bring a compelling mix of skills and attributes. The ability to work closely with the Society’s Officers and Executive Director, and to understand the perspective and interests of the Fellowship will be essential.

Externally, the same ability to command credibility is critical: with Ministers, senior officials and advisers. This means knowing how to work effectively within Westminster and Whitehall and internationally, having established and effective networks, and being alert and responsive to what matters within academia and the wider science and innovation community.

They must bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role and be flexible in dealing with changing priorities and a varied portfolio. They are expected to advise and have frequent contact with the Royal Society’s President, Officers, Executive Director, and senior Fellows. Networking and visibility outside the Society will be crucial to this role.

They will be responsible for the existing Science Policy and Public Affairs teams all based at our London office.

The role supports several standing and ad hoc Committees, taking oversight of aspects of the policy programme and taking specific projects forward.

Key responsibilities

• Developing and implementing a clear vision and strategy for science policy that reflects the priorities of the Fellowship and Officers of the Society, and taking these forward effectively;
• Developing and delivering a high quality, timely and influential programme of policy projects and related activities;
• Leading a high performing team;
• Managing an annual budget and ensuring effective systems of governance, project management, review and quality assurance;
• Coordinating the Society’s engagement with the UK Government;
• Ensuring that the Society’s international programmes are provided with adequate policy support, where necessary engaging with policymakers in Europe and beyond;
• With the Officers, Fellowship and the Executive Director, representing the Society and its policy positions in meetings/seminars with government, policymakers and
• Assuring the governance of science policy activities through close liaison with the Executive Director, Officers, Council and the relevant Committees.
• Deepening engagement with the Fellows, University Research Fellows and other advisory networks;
• Maintaining and expanding networks of contacts across government, public, private, academic and voluntary sectors, in the UK and internationally.
• Acting as a corporate leader as part of the senior executive team, in support of the Executive

The Director will require a demonstrable and communicable passion for applying science to decision-making, considerable personal energy, strong communication and advocacy skills and must be a willing and able team player. Clear evidence of thought leadership and the ability to engage effectively with a broad range of stakeholders, and command their respect, are all prerequisites for success in the role.

Skills and experience

• High level of experience and understanding of policy making in the UK, and preferably internationally, and of working with government and government agencies;
• Knowledge and experience of working successfully in a complex stakeholder environment;
• A strong and successful track record of leadership and management at a senior level in a policy environment;
• Experience of establishing credibility and working with senior scientists and other academics;
• Leadership and motivational skills with the ability to attract and successfully manage experienced and talented staff;
• Sound strategic vision;
• A demonstrable track record of project delivery and success/impact.

Personal qualities

• A confident and resourceful leader who sets high standards and is constantly seeking innovation and improvement;
• A skilled advocate and communicator with the intellect and gravitas to be highly credible and effective across the full spectrum of stakeholders at the most senior level;
• An astute, creative and strategic thinker who is conscious of the needs of different stakeholders, who can handle powerful people effectively, with the ability and judgement to challenge appropriately when required;
• The highest standards of personal integrity that encourage and inspire the loyalty, trust and confidence of colleagues, Fellows, partners and stakeholders;
• An inclusive team worker who can work collaboratively across boundaries, harnessing and valuing individual differences, and achieving performance and results through others.