Interim Director of Explorations

Nesta Director of explorations
Location London, UK
Application deadline 24 April 2019
Contract type Fixed term
Hours Full-time
Salary circa GBP65,000 plus excellent benefits
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Nesta is a global innovation foundation. We back new ideas to tackle the big challenges of our time. Our mission is to spark and shape new ideas that improve how the world works for everyone. We use our knowledge, networks, funding and skills – working in partnership with others, including governments, businesses and charities. We are a UK charity but work all over the world, supported by a financial endowment.

The role

Are you an experienced manager, strategic thinker and outstanding communicator, with a talent for leading teams working on cutting edge trends and emerging technologies? Do you have a proven track record of overseeing large scale research programmes?

If so, Nesta has an exciting opportunity for an individual to act as our Interim Director of Explorations, leading on futures and foresight for the foundation and overseeing programming for Nesta’s flagship festival – FutureFest.

As Director of Explorations you will play a cross-cutting role at Nesta working with the research, communications and programme teams to scope out promising areas for exploration and foresight. You will have oversight of the organisation’s futures research – including supporting your team to deliver a major programme of activity on the future of the internet (funded by the European Commission). You will also have responsibility for the quality of content underpinning Nesta’s year-round programme of FutureFest events – including the main Festival in spring 2020.

Key responsibilities and roles

You will lead on:

  • Explorations team management and objective setting. The Director will be responsible for line managing a set of high performing colleagues and equipping them with the resources they need to deliver.
  • Supporting the Co-Heads of Nesta’s new Centre of Collective Intelligence Design to establish the field of Collective Intelligence.
  • Reporting to the executive team and Nesta board on delivery of the team’s strategy, financial management and impact.
  • Communicating Nesta’s futures work in the print and broadcast media (including our annual ‘Predictions’ series and highlights of FutureFest).

Experience and skills

With a minimum of 10 – 15 years experience in a think tank, foundation, consultancy, academic or government setting, you will have established networks in the fields of social and public sector innovation along with experience of engaging the public in complex policy questions. You will have familiarity with future methods and be engaged with live debates in technology, politics and society. You will bring:

  • Programming experience developing content for major events.
  • Exceptionally strong writing and communication skills, honed in a fast-paced environment.
  • Knowledge of cutting-edge technologies, emerging social trends and the foresight toolkit.
  • Familiarity with financial management and impact measurement processes in a not for profit or public sector organisation.

How to apply

For further details about this post, and to apply, please complete the application form on our website.

Closing date: 24th April 2019 (08:00am).
First interviews will be held on 29th April 2019.
Second interviews on 2nd May 2019.