Job Description

UKRI
Salary: £37,841 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band D.
Contract Type: Open ended.
Hours: Full-time/ Part Time. (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon - Hybrid Working – Minimum 2 days per week in the office.

Closing Date: Thursday 23rd April 2026.

About the Role

The Workplace Investigations Manager will support the delivery of investigations as part of professional investigations service. The role assists the effective and professional enforcement of UKRI policies through investigations and alternative informal processes and initiatives that enable good outcomes and maintain UKRI’s reputational standing.

The role will work within a team of five and coordinate a pool of trained investigators embedded in UKRI teams as well as third-party investigators. The postholder will support proper use of investigation resources as well as tracking the delivery of timely investigations.

The investigations will cover concerns raised in relation our policies on:

• Grievances, Bullying & Harassment & Discrimination.
• Whistleblowing.
• Health and Safety.
• Safeguarding, Complaints, Managing Performance and Conduct.
• Research Integrity.
• Modern Slavery.
• Research Misconduct.

The Workplace Investigations Manager will have significant administrative experience and will ensure that systems and processes are in place and are being followed. The Workplace Investigations Manager will measure whether investigation reports meet stakeholder expectations and that the actions from investigations are taken forward.

This is a new position playing in a new function for the organisation bringing together investigations’ activities into one team. This is a role that will be expected to facilitate new ways of working across the organisation, to provide a highly regarded joined-up investigations service for UKRI.

Your responsibilities:

• Support the triage process, arrangements and record keeping for the complex case management meetings.
• Maintain the system and processes supporting the delivery of investigations in line with corporate expectations, legal and regulatory requirements, and best practice.
• Maintain scheduling of cases and investigators to ensure that investigations are delivered effectively and in time.
• Issue investigation reports, and advice and maintain records of actions arising from investigations
• Support the delivery of continuous improvement in operational processes, talent recruitment and development and service excellence to achieve best practice processes and outcomes for investigations.
• Support preparation and delivery of regular updates, reports, and professional guidance to stakeholders to support decision making.
  

Key Skills

• Excellent administrative skills.
• Able to maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels.
• Able to demonstrate consistently high standards of integrity, and ability to maintain confidentiality and operate appropriately in highly sensitive and complex situations.
• Able to demonstrate strong analytical skills and judgement.
• Enthusiastic, motivated, adaptable, and proactive with the ability to work flexibly in a changing environment.

Knowledge

Some understanding of prevailing governance standards and public sector rules.

Personal Specification

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

Essential

• Good GCSE, A Level passes, or equivalent qualifications. (S)
• Investigations training evidenced through professional training or work experience. (S)
• Experience of working in a busy team, organising and coordinating a diverse set of activities and people. (S&I)
• Experience that demonstrates ability to work appropriately with confidential and sensitive information. (S&I)
• Experience of building and maintaining effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders and colleagues. (S&I)
• Experience of working in complaints or customer handling role would be an advantage. (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)

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

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.

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.