Job Description

Ref Number

B09-01250

Professional Expertise

Strategy, Project and Change Management

Department

Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement) (B09)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Part time

Salary

67,341-75,192

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

Remote

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

30-Jul-2025

About us

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UCL is a world-leading research-intensive university, consistently ranked among the top ten globally, with an annual turnover exceeding 1 billion. Our research and innovation activities continue to grow in scale and complexity, with record levels of funding and impact achieved. Home to more than 50,000 students and 18,000 staff from over 150 countries, UCL is defined by its progressive approach to teaching and research. Our world-class academics, curious students, and dedicated professional staff work together to pursue excellence, challenge boundaries, and solve real-world problems.



The RIGE portfolio brings together over 300 staff delivering a wide range of services and functions, including research support, innovation and enterprise, global engagement, and strategic delivery, all aligned to advancing UCL's ambitious institutional goals.



UCL Grand Challenges is one of the university's longest-running strategic initiatives, designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration on the world's most pressing issues. Hosted within the Research, Innovation & Global Engagement (RIGE) portfolio and guided by the Vice-Provost (RIGE), the programme connects research, education, and institutional operations to societal challenges.



The Grand Challenges programme continues to evolve in line with UCL's Strategic Plan 2022-2027. The next phase introduces five new themes - Climate Crisis; Mental Health & Wellbeing; Data-Empowered Societies; Inequalities; and Intercultural Communication - each supported by new academic leadership, enhanced funding, and a broadened remit. These themes will not only drive cross-disciplinary research and innovation, but will also be embedded across UCL's education mission and institutional operations, reinforcing our commitment to delivering transformative impact through collaborative endeavour.

About the role

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UCL is seeking an individual to lead the development of a cross-sector Innovation Network focused on sustainable aviation. As the Sustainable Aviation Network Lead, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and operationalising the emerging Aviation Innovation network and a new UCL Institute of Sustainable Aviation and Aerospace (ISAA). This position represents a unique opportunity to connect UCL's world-class research expertise with key stakeholders across the aviation and aerospace sectors to co-develop innovative solutions to some of the most pressing sustainability challenges facing the industry today.



The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the strategic and operational development of the Sustainable Aviation Network. This includes providing leadership across planning and resource allocation, governance and compliance, the management of space, facilities and equipment, and ensuring alignment with UCL's broader strategic initiatives, including the Grand Challenges programme and the emerging ISAA.



Working closely with academic colleagues and external partners, the post holder will drive forward UCL's vision for sustainable aviation by cultivating meaningful collaborations with industry, government, and innovators. The role requires a proactive approach to partnership development and account management, ensuring long-term, mutually beneficial relationships that enhance both UCL's research impact and its leadership in the field of sustainable aviation.


This role is available as a Fixed-Term Contract for 9 months, on a 0.2 FTE basis.


Please note that this is a a remote-first role with occasional attendance for onsite meetings and occasional travel required.


Interviews are intended to be held on 7th August.

About you

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You will bring a strong academic background or equivalent experience in a field relevant to aviation, aviation technology, or its application in business transformation. With deep and current domain knowledge of enabling technologies and their deployment in industry and public service contexts, you will have significant experience of working within, or in close collaboration with, the private sector. Your understanding of the technical and commercial challenges facing key sectors, particularly in relation to sustainability, regulation, and technology readiness, will be critical to your success in this role.



You will have a proven ability to build productive partnerships between academia and industry, with a clear understanding of how research activities at UCL contribute to broader economic and societal impact. Your leadership and operational management experience within a complex organisation will span key areas such as strategic planning, finance, staffing, estates and facilities, and risk management. You will be adept at translating strategic vision into operational delivery, with a strong track record of achieving results in dynamic, multi-stakeholder environments.



Your ability to quickly grasp and manage a diverse and evolving portfolio will be matched by your capacity to prioritise effectively, remain organised under pressure, and exercise sound judgement in complex policy contexts. You will be confident in presenting complex technological information to both technical and non-specialist audiences, with strong interpersonal and facilitation skills. A highly collaborative approach, excellent stakeholder engagement capabilities, and a commitment to working across disciplinary and organisational boundaries are essential.

What we offer

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As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:


41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan On-Site nursery On-site gym Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.



We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce.



These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.



You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/