Job Description

Senior Economic Evaluation Manager
EPSRC
Salary: £46,743 per annum
Band: UKRI Band E
Contract Type: Open ended
Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available in line with UKRI policy
Closing Date: 5th July 2026

About the role

The key purpose of the role of the Senior Economic Evaluation Manager is to work with colleagues in the Performance and Evaluation Team and across UKRI to support the development of robust socio-economic evaluations as well as support the development and quality assurance of persuasive business cases (often asking for significant funding of around £100M plus).

This role supports EPSRC staff to run often complex socio-economic evaluations or write and produce detailed cases which make the case for further funding. Both business cases and evaluations have a strong focus on understanding and evidencing the benefits at a UK level of the research EPSRC fund, with impact wide ranging from scientific, to economic, social and environmental. This enables EPSRC to use evidence to improve the narrative to government; providing sound economic evidence for the case for further funding and driving best practice in strategic decision making through data and evidence.

Support for cases will involve the use of robust evidence to make the case for funding, supporting the development of logic models, theory of change and monitoring and evaluation plans for the proposed funding, and often supporting the creation, development and quality assurance of the economic case.

This role will work closely with EPSRC and UKRI Portfolio Managers and Analysts, with a strong focus on supporting project teams through the sharing of best practice in economic analysis.

Hybrid Working

These posts are based at our Swindon office, but hybrid working is available in accordance with UKRI policy. This post also may require travel to attend external visits and meetings. We welcome applications from candidates with special requirements.

Your responsibilities:

• Working with portfolio managers and external consultancies to ensure economic analysis within EPSRC’s evaluations is robust, independently accepted and well defined, thus enabling our evaluations to make the strongest case possible for Government funding.
• Working with colleagues to directly run economic analysis on available data to produce new insights for the benefit of the whole of UKRI where possible.
• Working closely with the Theme Lead and the wider Evidence and Evaluation team to ensure EPSRC’s monitoring and evaluation approach remains fit for purpose, working to adapt to and influence thinking in high-level monitoring and evaluation policies and developing innovative solutions.
• Working autonomously but in close collaboration with UKRI economists to develop and deliver a high-quality work programme across priority areas and providing a quality assurance function of the economic impact of investments in science and research.
• Translating evidence effectively, explaining technical information clearly, and describing the implications and uncertainties of analysis.
• Maintaining awareness of current best practice and latest thinking on economic evaluation approaches and methodologies relevant to assessing benefits and impacts of research.

Personal Specification

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

Essential

• Professional competency and technical skills reflecting expertise in economic analysis, ideally through a recognised and certified qualification. (Degree or equivalent in Economics (or international equivalent), or a postgraduate degree in Economics.) If it is a joint degree, a good proportion of the degree modules should be in Economics. (S)
• Key skills should include advanced quantitative analysis, data modelling, and knowledge of micro/macroeconomic theory, including the use and development of economic tools, analytics and theories to demonstrate the robust evidence of investments return in publicly funded research. (S)
• Sound knowledge or experience of business case development tools and techniques within public sector guidance frameworks (e.g. Green Book / Magenta Book, logic models, theory of change tools etc.). (S)
• Sophisticated analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, and an ability to think strategically. (S/I)
• Translating evidence effectively, explaining technical information clearly, and describing to varied audiences the implications, risks and uncertainties of such analysis. (I)

Desirable

• The ability to build influential networks and experience in managing relationships across a broad range of stakeholder and cross-functional teams. (I)
• A strong background of facilitation and/or stakeholder engagement and relationship management with experience of, for example, using focus groups or workshops to develop business case models and approaches. (I)

How to apply

The closing date for applications is 9th July 2026

Online applications only are accepted for this role. Please submit a CV and “Application Statement”. Each document should be no more than three pages.

Across the two documents, you are expected to give evidenced examples that clearly explain how your abilities, experiences and skills demonstrate each of the shortlisting criteria listed above. While this is not the only approach, you are advised to familiarise yourself with the STAR methodology (see: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/STAR-method.htm), which is a useful framework for providing these examples.

Please ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria, exceeding the page limit or submission of an application without an ‘application statement’ may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted ‘application statement’ and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

If successful at the shortlisting stage, you will be invited to an in-person interviews that is expected to take place in Swindon during w/c 3rd August 2026. You will be asked to provide evidenced examples that demonstrate that you are able to cover the interview criteria. You will also be asked to give a short presentation on a topic that will be provided to you in advance. This is the final stage of the selection process. Please note dates may be subject to change.

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.

Your application and performance through this recruitment process may be used for other opportunities that arise within an appropriate timeframe.

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We 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, but if you experience any issue applying, please 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.