Recruiting GW4 Director

This post provides a unique opportunity to lead and manage the GW4 Alliance, providing a high-quality strategic partnership between four research-intensive universities in the South-West of England/South East Wales region. The GW4 Alliance is a strategic research alliance between Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter universities designed to catalyse discovery and creativity for the benefit of society, the economy, environment, health and the arts.

Universities can achieve more if they operate at a greater scale. The GW4 Alliance was formed by four leading research universities in our region in order to tackle the greatest research challenges, in the broadest sense.

The GW4 Alliance is currently working to address the challenges of Climate Change, Net Zero emissions, and Anti-microbial Resistance, amongst others.

These shared initiatives need shaping, facilitating and catalysing. We are looking for an exceptional talent to direct this through interacting with senior staff and academics in the four universities, government departments, funders, communities and businesses.

Responsible for leading and managing this major research powerhouse, the GW4 Director will convert concepts into funded activities. Crucially, you will promote our initiatives at the highest level across a host of stakeholder organisations in diverse sectors.

To be equal to the challenge, you will need an extensive track record of success in building strategic and influential relationships with policy makers, funders and governments. Direct experience of strategic research and innovation partnerships spanning a range of disciplines is vital. We expect the successful candidate to demonstrate a proven ability to deliver large, collaborative projects within a complex environment.

Naturally, you also will bring to the role substantial leadership experience in higher education, with up-to-the minute knowledge of research and policy.

This role is open to internal and external candidates. All applications must be submitted online via the University of Bristol website by 11.59pm on Sunday 10th January 2021.