King's College London

About us

The  Centre for Data Futures at The Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London is the first-ever dedicated centre of interdisciplinary expertise to focus on designing and studying the effect of participatory infrastructure over the life of data-reliant tools: from the point of data generation, through data empowerment structures, all the way to interface design that incentivises long-term, collective participation.

We at the Centre for Data Futures believe that for us individuals and society to become makers of socially sustainable, data-reliant futures, data needs to become a tool for bottom-up socio-economic and political empowerment. Data empowerment movements are gaining momentum across the world while education, advice, and support infrastructure for the movement is still in its infancy.

About the role

The Centre has recently secured funding from the McGovern Foundation to establish a ‘data empowerment clinic’. The clinic will support peer learning by enabling individuals and organisations interested in developing data empowerment structures to learn from each other (from large, established institutions to grassroots movements). The clinic will also raise awareness and train students across KCL, who will gain valuable ‘hands-on’ experience of data empowerment challenges.

The Centre is looking for an Innovation Director who will take the lead in establishing and developing the world’s first data empowerment clinic. The successful candidate will be a visionary leader who can develop and execute a strategic vision for the Data Empowerment Clinic .

They will have  an exceptional ability to navigate complex organisational landscapes  and master emerging technology fields. With a proven  track record of engaging effectively with both multinational corporations and grassroots organisations , they will bring a nuanced understanding of contemporary data governance policy frameworks and a well-established network of high-level contacts in the policy, corporate, and forth sectors. Their strategic acumen will be characterised by an ability to translate research and policy insights into actionable initiatives, bridging academic research with practical, real-world applications in data empowerment.

As part of the leadership team of the Centre, the Innovation Director will help develop the Centre for Data Futures' mission, establish the data empowerment clinic and ensure its sustainability beyond the current 18 months funding window. This is a unique opportunity to shape the emerging field of data empowerment - a rapidly growing social movement with global significance.

1.      Data Empowerment Clinic

• Establish and lead the Data Empowerment Clinic
• Promote the clinic and develop a network of institutions (across sectors) interested in developing data empowerment structures
• Collaborate with and/or manage both academic partners (including from the KCL ‘Law clinic’) and external ‘data empowerment practitioners’ who will lend their expertise to help develop the clinic
• Lead on the development of an online continuing education course on data empowerment practices.

2.      Sustainability and Impact

• Collaborate (whether as ‘co-investigator’ or otherwise) with academic colleagues across KCL (and external institutions) who seek to include a data empowerment project as part of their research bids.
• Contribute to the development of a REF impact case study

3.      Stakeholder Engagement

• Create a transnational network of institutions, movements, communities (such as unions, cooperatives, parents’ groups, neighbourhood associations) to explore and create shared legal, technological and governance strategies to build genuinely empowering, participatory governance.
• Develop relationships with public bodies, charities, and international organisations to support impact, dissemination and help secure further funding.
• Proactively liaise with policymakers in the UK and beyond

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

We are seeking candidates with:

• Background in social entrepreneurship or civil service (equivalent to deputy director level)
• Proven management experience: the successful candidate will oversee all the management aspects of the data empowerment clinic, with a diverse, interdisciplinary team
• Proven track record and passion for data stewardship and governance, as well as social innovation
• Exceptional networking and collaboration skills
• Fundraising track record, across a range of sources and sectors
• Ability to work flexibly and creatively

This is a part time post 0.8 FTE (28 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 18 months.

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1.      Background in social entrepreneurship or civil service (equivalent to deputy director level)

2.      Proven management experience: the successful candidate will oversee all the management aspects of the data empowerment clinic, with a diverse, interdisciplinary team

3.      Proven track record and passion for data stewardship and governance, as well as social innovation

4.      Exceptional networking and collaboration skills

5.      Fundraising track record, across a range of sources and sectors

6.      Ability to work flexibly and creatively

Further Information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers review your application, please take a look at our ‘ How we Recruit’ pages.

Interviews are due to be held on the 14th January 2025

This role does meet the requirements of the Home Office and therefore we are  able to offer sponsorship for candidates who require the right to work in the UK.