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We are seeking dynamic leaders from diverse backgrounds in research, innovation, or business to bring their creativity and vision to our Mission Research and Innovation Challenges. The R&I Challenge Director role is crucial to the success of the Research & Development Missions Programme, serving as a champion for the role of research and innovation in addressing critical, complex issues identified by the UK Government’s Missions.
With expertise spanning the UK’s ecosystem of research, innovation, and businesses, Challenge Directors will engage across the landscape to design impactful interventions. We welcome applicants who thrive in fast-paced environments and are eager to collaborate with UKRI and Government domain experts to shape timely, high-impact solutions.
The priority milestone for the NHS Fit for the Future Mission is tackling waiting lists and returning to the elective standard. The initial focus is on identifying ways to improve allocative efficiency and patient outcomes through improving patient flow and shifting care from hospital to community. This includes improved access to healthcare, reducing the number of lives lost to the biggest killers (including cancer and cardiovascular disease) and tackling health inequalities. This will be achieved through supporting the three shifts identified in the health mission: hospital to home; treatment to prevention; and analogue to digital.
Job Title: R&I Challenge Director
Council / function: Research & Development Mission Programme (RDMP)
Contract Type: 3-year fixed term, with the possibility of a further one-year extension. Secondments are welcome
Hours: Full Time or Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible arrangements will be considered)
Location: Swindon – with hybrid working opportunities alongside regular travel to UKRI locations
Band: UKRI Band X
Salary: £91,943 – £99,000 per annum (depending on skills and experience)
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a non-departmental public body created to strengthen the strategic approach to future challenges and maximise value from the UK Government’s investment of over £8 billion per annum in research and innovation. We deliver a strengthened, unified voice for the UK’s research and innovation funding system, facilitating a dialogue with government and partners on the national stage. It builds on the UK’s world class research and innovation performance, enabling the system to respond rapidly and effectively to current and future challenges.
The Research & Development Missions Programme (RDMP) is a new, targeted UK programme designed to support the Government’s National Missions and support delivery of the of the milestones in the Government’s Plan for Change. The primary objective of the RDMP is to fund targeted research and innovation (R&I), including technology development, to solve critical problems unique to each mission to improve people’s lives and create growth. An initial investment of £25 million was announced in the autumn budget, with UKRI leading, in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Government Mission teams, on focussed Research and Innovation (R&I) Challenges to respond to and develop solutions for the Problems in each Mission.
We are seeking Research and Innovation (R&I) Challenge Directors to shape a portfolio of research and innovation activities to provide solutions to critical, complex problems that the Government’s National missions need to overcome.
The Challenge Directors will be established, credible leaders supported by UKRI domain expertise, drawn from across the councils, and Government mission teams.
The RDMP R&I Challenge Directors are pivotal to the success of the Research and Development Missions Programme. They will collaborate with UKRI and Government policy and delivery teams to develop and deliver the Research and Innovation Challenges. This involves bringing together the public sector, frontline service providers, business and private investors, civic and local leaders, the third sector, community organisations, devolved administrations and academics to deliver innovative solutions to address Mission critical problems.
The R&I Challenge Directors are expected to understand the research and innovation ecosystem within their Mission area. They will lead and be accountable for the strategic development, delivery, and oversight of R&I Challenges and the portfolio of funded activities. This includes attracting, securing and achieving co-investment in line with RDMP Mission targets. Supported by UKRI, they will ensure that investments are aligned to agreed SMART objectives and achieve measurable impacts outlined in the Plan for Change. R&I Challenge Directors will also work with Government Mission teams, other funding organisations, UK business and other stakeholders, regularly reporting progress to the UKRI R&D Missions Programme Board and liaising with the UK Government Mission Boards to ensure impactful RDMP investments.
As a Challenge Director, you will have the autonomy to develop necessary interventions, foster cross sector partnerships, ensure co-investment by industry and third sector, and adjust activities as needed. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence and apply research and innovation to benefit UK citizens.
You will report directly to the Executive Chair in UKRI responsible for the Mission focussed R&I Challenges and be supported by the UKRI R&D Missions Programme Director and Programme Management Team. Additionally, you will be supported by UKRI council domain expert leads, the UKRI RDMP Mission Executive Chair lead and other RDMP Challenge Directors to identify synergies across R&I Challenges and drive collective impact.
Candidates will be assessed against the following essential criteria throughout the recruitment process:
Desirable:
The role will be based at the UKRI offices in Swindon. Whilst an ability to lead and build relationships at a distance is beneficial, this is also a role where visibility will be important, therefore, travel to our London office and other UK sites on a regular basis is also expected.
No external commitments that could be perceived as a conflict of interest or material distraction from the execution of their duties.
You will also be asked to complete a Diversity Monitoring Form as part of your application.
Goran is a Partner & Sector Lead, Health & Life Sciences.
His experience includes working on senior level strategic appointments for a range of higher education institutions, research institutes and centres, research-led organisations, public-private partnerships and biotech companies, and on global professorial and chair level appointments across various disciplines.
Goran holds an MSc in Molecular Biology from University of Zagreb and a PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology from University of Geneva.
Prior to joining Perrett Laver, Goran was a Postdoctoral Researcher at Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London.
Jack is Partner & Sector Lead, AI, Data & Technology.
His experience of senior level executive search includes multiple Chair and Professorial appointments globally across all academic disciplines, as well as leadership appointments in higher education and industry research and development.
Jack is expert in the use of metrics and analytics for the identification and assessment of world leading academics.
Jack holds a BSc in Physiology from the University of Liverpool, an MSc from the University of Leeds in Ion Channels in Disease and a PhD from Kings College London in Cell Signalling. His research focused on the role of ion channels in hormone release.
Alex is a Consultant at Perrett Laver.
His experience of senior level executive search includes Chair and Professorial appointments for global Higher Education institutions and research leadership appointments in research and innovation focused organisations.
Alex holds a BA and MA in History, and a PhD in Medieval History from the University of Manchester. His research focused on analysis and translation of Old French chronicles and Norman law codes.
Prior to joining Perrett Laver he also taught at the University of Manchester and Swansea University.
