Job Description

UKRI Corporate Hub
Salary: £58,589 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band F.
Contract Type: 2 x Fixed Term. (23 months & 10 months)
Hours: Full-time/ Part Time. (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available.

Closing Date: Monday 1st June 2026

Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.

About the role

The key purpose of this role is effective management, delivery, and co-ordination of change programmes and complex projects across the organisation.

The post holder's overarching role is:

• The successful design, management and delivery of capabilities that make up the relevant programmes.
• Coordination and delivery of the relevant programme’s various projects, its dependencies (internal and external), key turning points and critical path, risks, governance, financial management, benefits planning, implementation of delivery and handover to operations for the benefits to be realised across the programmes.
• Provide coaching, help, advice, guidance to partners and facilitate workshops to help achieve successful delivery outcomes in line with UKRI priorities.

The post may line manage project managers within the PD&I team.

Matrix management and oversight of the relevant Programme and project teams.

Your responsibilities:

• Leadership vision & objectives – Cascade vision and translate into delivery objectives for the team. Lead the programme/project to deliver the business case benefits and outcomes.
• Delivery – Create and lead the programme/project to deliver the agreed outcomes within time, cost and quality constraints.
• Programme / Project Management – Day to day management and leadership of the programme/project and the project team. Set project controls. Design the project structure appropriate to stage. Select and apply appropriate delivery methodologies.
• Coordinate development of the Business Case.
• Budget – Track delivery within budget.
• Resources – Schedule / manage resources to deliver the project.
• Risks & Issues – Oversee risk and issue management. Ensure mitigations are in place and resolved through negotiated agreement.
• Benefits Realisation – Ensure benefits are identified, understood, measured, tracked and owned. Ensure appropriate Benefits Realisation Strategy is in place and monitor longer term delivery of benefits against the Business Case.
• Identify key partners and develop strong relationships.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential

• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience. (S)
• Prince2, MSP, APM PMQ or another relevant Project Management Methodology qualification. (S)
• Demonstrative experience of leading the successful delivery of Projects and/or Programmes across multiple departments/stakeholders in both technical and non-technical environments in a complex organisation. (S&I)
• Experience of effectively implementing processes, procedures and best practice principles within a project, programme or portfolio management office. (S&I)
• The ability to establish and develop productive influential relationships with internal and external partners, bringing people together to benefit the project. (S&I)
• The ability to recognise, anticipate and effectively deal with existing or potential conflicts at an individual, team or strategic level. (S&I)
• The ability to work in an environment of uncertainty and continual change. Able to feel comfortable making decisions and setting direction without having the full picture and re-focus as details emerge. Can apply knowledge and techniques to reduce ambiguity. (S&I)
• The ability to inspire, motivate and support others by demonstrating and sharing your programme/project management skills. To act as a role model and inspire and empower others. (S&I)

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. UKRI are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org

We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close this vacancy early.

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.