Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Centre for Policing Research and Learning

Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Centre for Policing Research and Learning

• Job Location: Milton Keynes
• Department: Department for Policing
• Salary: £61,165 to £68,817 pro-rata (actual £24,796.62 to £27,898.78)
• Closing Date: 29 November 2026
• Weekly Working Hours: 15
• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
• Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 31 July 2028
• Welsh Language: Not Applicable

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About the Role

The Head of Stakeholder Engagement will work with the Professor of Policing and Research to co-ordinate and ensure high-quality implementation of the Centre for Policing Research and Learning (CPRL) strategy, working in close collaboration with the CPRL Operations team and the Centre’s 18 police partners. The postholder will strengthen and widen these partnerships to enhance the Centre’s ability, in collaboration with partners, to create and apply knowledge to improve policing for the good of society.

You will be part of a core team in the Faculty of Business & Law, working with colleagues in the faculty and across the University, to take forward ambitious plans for the future of CPRL.

This is a post offered on a 15 hours per week basis (equivalent to 2 days per week) for 2 years.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Development

• Build strategic relationships between CPRL, the wider University and UK Policing in order to collaboratively drive forward CPRL and OU strategy.
• Lead activities designed to develop and enhance CPRL’s partnerships with policing and within the University (e.g. in the CPRL Hub which brings together academics across all faculties).
• Contribute to the achievement of the University strategy in order to maintain and advance the partnerships and growth agendas.
• Lead the delivery of CPRL’s stakeholder engagement strategy, agreeing priorities with the Academic Director and regularly reviewing engagement to improve partnerships and inform Centre strategy.

People Management

• Support individuals through change to their ways of working and job roles.
• Create a sense of unity and common purpose, inspiring individuals to contribute to common team goals.

Planning, managing and delivering services

• Working with the CPRL leadership team, identify members’ policing challenges and translate these into researchable questions and feasible collaborative projects with academic colleagues, supporting the application of research to policing policy and practice.
• Foster and strengthen engagement with senior police leaders and other stakeholders to reinforce and grow partnerships with police across the four nations of the UK.
• Work with member forces/agencies to identify and develop the collaborative projects (in research, learning or knowledge into practice) and encourage active engagement with the OU academics and with partner forces.
• Undertake a regular review of all partners, considering the range of their engagement and work with the CPRL. Liaising with point(s) of contact within police partner organisations to take appropriate action and address relevant issues.
• Identify critical issues, manage risks, and troubleshoot problems that may compromise delivery, and proactively manage them in order to produce high-quality products, processes or services to agreed budgets and deadlines.
• Develop and provide timely and relevant management information against agreed key performance indicators.

Internal and external perspective

• Keep abreast of the changing policing landscape and related agencies and blue light services. Anticipating and making decisions about necessary changes in consultation with relevant stakeholders and disseminating implications to relevant stakeholders.
• Work in collaboration with others to improve and develop communication and services to partners and CPRL’s contribution to University objectives.
• Keep abreast of national and international initiatives in UK Policing and ensure that this knowledge is effectively shared within CPRL, Department for Policing and the wider University.

About You

Essential Criteria

• A PhD, ideally in a discipline relevant to policing.
• Demonstrable understanding of research methods and the university research environment, with the ability to assess collaborative research opportunities and uphold academic independence.
• Experience of working collaboratively and proactively with policing practitioners. Wide-ranging knowledge of police context including operations, leadership, learning and evidence-based practice.
• Proven experience of senior police leadership and leading strategic partnerships.
• Direct experience of working with senior police leadership nationally to foster collaborative working relationships and knowledge-based practice.
• Evidence of working with appropriate external national and international networks, and demonstrable ability to develop strong collaborative links, with, for example, government and public services or industry, policy makers and funders.
• The ability to represent the Centre within the University and in the policing policy and practice context.
• The ability to communicate with clarity, confidence and gravitas at all levels; adapting style and content to the needs of the audience.
• Evidence of using data informed analytical thinking to shape timely and pragmatic decisions and manage risks to fulfil strategic and operational needs.
• The ability to take ownership of delivering outcomes, monitor achievement of agreed objectives, and strive to exceed expectations.
• The ability to work in a manner which aligns with the OU values in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable Criteria

• The ability to foster creativity and innovation, embracing new ideas and inspiring continuous improvement.
• Experience of delivering pragmatic and cost-effective solutions within resource, time and quality parameters.
• Experience of translating research findings into policing policy, practice or organisational learning.
• The ability to drive and embrace change positively.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. There will also be a number of face-to-face meetings around the UK which the post holder will be expected to attend as required. Expenses associated with travel to our Milton Keynes site are not reimbursable.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

Interviews are likely to be held in the week commencing 14 December.

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications have been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented.

If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please submit the following documents:

• CV
• Supporting Statement (Your Supporting Statement should be no more than 1200 words and should outline how your current skills and experience meet the Essential, and where possible, the Desirable Criteria listed above).

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.