About the job

Job summary

Chair of Diamond Light Source Ltd Board 

Appointment Term: an initial period of four years 

Remuneration: £20,000 per annum. Travel and subsistence expenses will also be reimbursed.  

Location: Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire, UK 

About Diamond Light Source Ltd:  

Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. It is used by over 8,000 scientists from academia and industry each year to conduct experiments across a range of disciplines, including biology, medicine, chemistry, physics, and materials science. As one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world, Diamond Light Source plays a crucial role in advancing scientific research and innovation, driving economic growth, and addressing global challenges. 

Job description

We are seeking a highly experienced and visionary individual to serve as the Chair of the Diamond Light Source Ltd Board. The Chair will provide leadership and strategic direction to the Board, ensuring effective governance and oversight of the organisation's activities. The successful candidate will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and the executive team to shape the future direction of Diamond Light Source, fostering collaboration and innovation to maximise the impact of the facility. 

For the full information on the role and requirements of the Chair position, please visit the candidate prospectus, which is also available via our Careers Portal.  

Key Responsibilities: 

• Provide strategic oversight covering scientific, technical, financial, governance, compliance, and risk management aspects at Diamond. 
• Ensure alignment with Diamond's aims, vision, and goals through appropriate strategies, plans, funding, and governance arrangements. 
• Facilitate effective communication and implementation of Board decisions. 
• Support the CEO and Executive team to achieve Diamond's overall objectives. 
• Maintain an environment conducive to maintaining, operating, and developing a world-class synchrotron radiation facility while fostering an inclusive and diverse scientific culture; follow good governance practices, ensure appropriate Board constitution and performance, and uphold the principles outlined in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, including the Nolan Principles. 
• Fulfil roles including chairing Board meetings, serving on committees, supporting and engaging with executives, collaborating with the Company Secretary, engaging with stakeholders, ensuring effective communication, and maintaining impartiality as a voting Director. 

Person specification

The successful candidate will be assessed against the following criteria as part of the application process:  

• experience either of leading or chairing a company or scientific research organisation, or acting as a senior non-executive director of a company or scientific research organisation with experience chairing a major sub-committee, such as a finance and audit committee; 
• an interest in, and appreciation for, science and its role/value in society and to the broader economic development of the UK; 
• acknowledged success in running a large, complex organisation or equivalent, whether Government funded, academic or industrial; 
• an understanding of the UK science/higher education funding arena, and an understanding of the relationship with Government.

The following experience and attributes will be assessed at interview: 

• strong leadership and interpersonal skills and the ability to build and manage effective relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders; 
• strong negotiation, influencing skills, and an exceptional ability to succeed; 
• a fluent and persuasive communicator who can represent the organisation externally as well as internally; 
• a proven track record of handling difficult issues with authority and confidence; 
• an appreciation of the nature of the role, and a readiness to mentor and coach, but not interfere with, the work of the executive leadership team; 
• strong support for the importance of good governance and demonstrable experience in delivering strong governance in a UK setting.

In addition, an appreciation of the importance of synchrotron radiation facilities or detailed knowledge of a related field of science, and ability to talk with the media in relation to Diamond and the importance of science, would be an advantage but is not essential.

Benefits

Things you need to know

Selection process details

To apply for the position of Chair of Diamond Light Source Ltd Board, please submit a CV and supporting statement/ covering letter outlining your suitability for the role against the above criteria on the UKRI Careers Portal. The closing date for applications is Sunday 5 May 2024. Interviews are expected to take place on Friday 14 June 2024 at Diamond Light Source Ltd. 

Diamond Light Source is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.