Claire Graves

Experience

• 

  Nottingham Trent University

  Jan 1999 - Feb 2000

  EU Research Associate in Harbour Management
• 

  University of Gothenburg

  Mar 2000 - May 2000

  Lecturer in Geographical Information Systems
• 

  Nottingham Trent University

  Jun 2000 - Sept 2000

  Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Geohazards
• 

  EPSRC

  Oct 2000 - May 2007

  * Design, implement and manage the organisational communications strategy for knowledge transfer related activities;* Develop an understanding of the communications needs of our stakeholders; * Develop and implement targeting strategies for our communications; * Raise the profile of EPSRC with Parliament and engage key opinion formers, industrialists, senior academics and peer organisations; * Orchestrate PR and public affairs campaigns including House of Commons receptions, events, meetings, dinners and briefings;* Build relationships with peer organisations to maximise the impact of our messages;* Evaluation of the progress and impact of EPSRC communications; * Co-ordination of submissions to Parliamentary Inquiries and PQs; * Management of internal communications; * Production of the annual report and accounts; * Direct line management and staff development, including Investors in People; * Communications skills training for senior management and front line staff. Show less * Programme and portfolio management (value exceeded £70 million) including grant awards and evaluation; * Head of the Transport and Defence Sector Marketing Team; * Co-ordinator of the Innovative Manufacturing Research Centres (portfolio value exceeds £60 million with an additional £100 million from other funders); * Representing the UK research community on international trade missions and to senior industrial managers; * Management of portfolio analyses for programme evaluation; * Manager of the Engineering content, on the EPSRC website. Show less

  • Public Affairs and Marketing Manager

    Jan 2003 - May 2007

  • Portfolio and Project Manager

    Oct 2000 - Jan 2003
• 

  Research Councils UK RCUK

  Jun 2007 - May 2011

  * Provide leadership, co-ordination and strategic delivery to the economic impact agenda.* Develop and implement the economic impact components of the RCUK Delivery Plan and ensure the Councils maintain a progressive, relevant and strategic agenda.* Oversee development and delivery of programmes of activities to continue the enhancement of the Councils’ leadership in the area of Economic Impact.* Develop strong working relationships with key colleagues within Research Councils, Technology Strategy Board and BIS and manage relations between my teams and their counterparts. * Develop and nurture an effective network of external contacts to ensure clear understanding of RCUK positions in the Economic Impact area. This includes liaison with senior members of the HE community, the business community, the third sector, Non Government Organisations, Government Ministers and senior civil servants in Whitehall departments and parliamentarians.* Represent Research Council interests in regional innovation policies – particularly with the Regional Development Administrations and the Devolved Administrations* Maintain current awareness of the policies and priorities of the Research Councils, Government including Treasury and Cabinet Office, the wider science and engineering base nationally and internationally to inform continued development of the RCUK Economic Impact strategy. Show less * Secretary to the RCUK Research and Development Group* Manage and deliver a range of RCUK projects and activities relating to research and research policy, particularly multidisciplinary research, large facilities and communications. * Project management of the initial bid into the 2010 Spending Review, the Large Facilities Capital Fund exercise and production of the biennial Large Facilities Roadmap. * From May 2008 - April 2009 I also acted as secretary to RCUK International Group and supported the RCUK International Unit including data and metrics, harmonisation/complementarity of schemes across the Councils and communications. Show less

  • Head of Knowledge Transfer and Economic Impact

    Jun 2009 - May 2011

  • Senior Policy Manager for Research

    Jun 2007 - Jun 2009
• 

  EPSRC

  Jun 2011 - Jun 2016

   Delivered a major cross-Council project to harmonise peer review systems; delivering an end-to-end 20% efficiency saving and secured business continuity. Reduced internal operational costs by 30% over 2 years through improved contracts management, equipment and resource provision and maintenance of dedicated peer review facilities.  Co-ordinated all directorate support requirements, delivering a saving of 20% FTE. Developed KPIs with service provider improving performance by 30% within six months. Forged strategic engagement with the European Research Council on peer review, including benchmarking with comparable international organisations.  Financial management including peer review budget holder  Bespoke systems owner Show less  Implemented and delivered the target cost project resulting in redeployment of 12% staff, 25% headcount reduction, 70% travel savings, rationalisation of accommodation footprint by 20% and a halving of grant applications, through implementation of demand management.  Embedded Lean thinking; identified observable value to reduce rework and refocus activities. Developed organisational strategy in the areas of risk, cultures and practices.  Co-authored HR strategy for 2013–2025, focussing on continued staff development. Show less

  • Head of Peer Review

    Jun 2012 - Jun 2016

  • Head of Target Costing and Lean Innovation

    Jun 2011 - May 2012
• 

  Research Councils UK RCUK

  Jun 2016 - May 2018

  Associate Director, Research Funding and operational Delivery

   Brought back in-house services from an external provider to deliver business continuity and improved service. Created and directed the new Grants Delivery Team. Appointed as Work Stream Lead and Change Champion to transition the Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England to UKRI and deliver a new research and innovation funding environment with responsibility for people, policy and processes. Engaged as Programme Director for the Research and Innovation Funding Service and delivered organisational functional and non-functional requirements for a new funding system and service. Chaired the Policy and Operational Working Groups to improve current back office provisions. Show less

• 

  EPSRC

  May 2018 - Aug 2020

  Deputy Director, Research Base

   Directed a new approach to balancing the portfolio across 111 research areas and developed operations from a five-yearly refresh approach to continuous evolution.  Delivered the Centres’ for Doctoral Training awards against priorities, assessment, communications, stakeholder management and engagement. Championed the Big Ideas Initiative and ensured ‘blue skies’ community driven research areas were at the heart of priority setting. Managed corporate relationships with key partners at senior level, including University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, DSTL. Led Memorandum of Understanding with the MoD. Show less

• 

  ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council

  Aug 2020 - now

  Chief Operating Officer

  Leadership • Work with fellow COOs across UKRI to ensure consistency in working practices and the smooth running of UKRI as a whole. • Role model and champion organisational values and equality, diversity and inclusion principles • Design, transformation and effective delivery of ESRC services within budget and ensuring efficiency and value for money • Inspire, empower and develop ESRC teams UKRI Transformation, Planning and Delivery • Support the effective organisation design and delivery capability • Identify and deliver simplification and harmonisation. • Change agent for Corporate Services in support of the UKRI transformation plan. • Director for Funding Transformation to deliver simplified and harmonised processes and policies across UKRI • Interim Director of the Simpler and Better Funding Service to deliver a new funding systems and serviceFinance and Commercial • Ensure that UKRI have the necessary financial controls and reporting (reflecting Managing Public Money). • Oversee significant procurements. HR• Ensure ESRC has the right people, in the right place, doing the right things, developing their skills and maximising their productivity in alignment within ESRC and UKRI strategy. • Leading on staff and Trade Union relations where required Governance, Assurance, Risk, Information, Legal • Provide the Executive Chair and Council with appropriate governance structures, assurance as to the integrity of activities, that risks are identified and mitigated, that information is accurate and secure (reflecting GDPR). • Supporting any need for legal advice, working with UKRI Heads of Legal. • Corporate compliance and statutory liability. Safety, Health and Environment • Provide a safe and healthy working environment for all staff, workers and visitors to all sites. • Deliver the environmental agenda Show less