Programme Delivery Lead

UKRI; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 57,000; Full time

Job description

Programme Delivery Lead

Grade: UKRI Band F
Salary: £56,745 gross per annum
Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 0.8 FTE)
Location: Swindon – With hybrid working opportunities alongside regular travel to other UKRI locations

Closing Date: 05 May 2025

This is a combined recruitment campaign for 3 x Delivery Leads to support major UKRI programmes:

1. Delivery Lead, Safer Streets Mission, Research & Development Mission Programme (situated in AHRC) - X1
2. Delivery Lead, Opportunities Mission, Research & Development Mission Programme (hosted by ESRC) - X1
3. Delivery Lead, Metascience Programme (hosted by ESRC) - X1

In your cover letter, please indicate which role(s) you are interested in.

Reporting

Roles 1 and 2 (Mission Programme Delivery Leads) will report to the UKRI Mission Development Group Lead, with formal matrix working into the UKRI Research & Development Mission Programme (RDMP) Hub, its Mission Programme Director and wider Mission Programme team (for the RDMP Delivery Lead roles).

Role 3 (Metascience Programme Delivery Lead) will report to the Deputy Director – Innovation, Business Engagement and Commercialisation, with formal matrix working into the Co-Heads of the UK Metascience Unit (for the Metascience Programme Delivery Lead role).

Contract

Roles 1 and 2 (Mission Programme Delivery Leads) are fixed term until 31 March 2028 (with the possibility of a further one-year extension). We have secured funding until 31 March 2026 and during that time we will be bidding for investment until 2030.

Role 3 (Metascience Programme Delivery Lead) is fixed term until 31 March 2027.

Context For Roles 1 & 2 (Mission Programme Delivery Leads)

Research & Development Mission Programme (RDMP) is a new, targeted UKRI programme designed to support the Government’s National Missions and support delivery of the milestones in the Government’s Plan for Change. The primary objective of the RDMP is to fund targeted research and innovation (R&I), including technology development, to solve critical problems unique to each mission to improve people’s lives and create growth.

Context For Role 3 (Metascience Programme)

The Metascience Programme was launched in 2024 in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. It is dedicated to accelerating the generation and use of evidence on how to fund, support and conduct science more effectively.

Job Purpose

The Programme Delivery Leads will be responsible for managing and implementing a broad portfolio of projects under the R&D Missions Programme or Metascience Programme. This will require close and effective working with internal and external partners to guarantee alignment with the needs and interests of the various parties whose support will be critical to successful programme delivery.

The Role Holders:

• Will have significant experience and a proven track record of investment delivery across UKRI and the wider research and innovation system.
• Are highly proactive, professional, and always pushing to create, build and deliver the programme’s investment portfolio through a mix of delivery methods and communication channels.
• Will have experience and understanding of the UK political/business environment and the science/government policy landscape as well as the UK research base.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities:

• Accountable to the UKRI Mission Development Group Lead (Roles 1 and 2) or the Co-Heads of the Metascience Unit (Role 3) for the creation and delivery of the Delivery Plan and related Business Case for investment(s).
• Responsible for managing delivery of grant funding programmes through the design of funding opportunities, management of competition processes and oversight of delivery.
• Responsible for creating, building, managing, delivering and reporting against a complex programme/its projects.
• Responsible for stakeholder engagement including UKRI, cross-Government teams, UK businesses, third sector, academia, civic and local leaders, community organisations, devolved administrations, and other external funding organisations as required.
• Responsible for the management of finances, evaluation design/delivery, lessons learned, controls, and assurance.
• Ownership of associated programme documentation, including strategies, business cases, delivery plans and programme plans.
• Collaborate effectively with the Programme Director and programme peers to share best practice and lessons learned.

This is not an exhaustive list, and the post-holder might be expected to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Experience and significant understanding of the UK political/business environment and the science/government policy landscape as well as the UK research base.
• Significant experience of ‘at scale’, multi-million delivery from strategic vision translation to robust investment and measurable outcomes.
• Deep understanding of both research grant funding in the higher education sector and innovation investment/interventions.
• Knowledge of cross-UKRI working including The Funding Service and/or Innovation Funding System.
• Significant experience of managing, working with, and rapidly building relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including written/verbal communication and stakeholder/team management.
• Ability to challenge preconceptions and offer well-reasoned and considered judgements to all levels of stakeholders.
• Demonstrable ability to work flexibly and imaginatively in a time-pressured environment.
• Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills.

Desirable:

• Experience of innovation and commercialisation delivery.
• Experience of resource management and team management as part of a large-scale programme.
• Experience of both Agile and Waterfall delivery methodologies.
• Experience of the UK R&I ecosystem or business innovation from research through to scale up.
• Experience of Benefits and Impacts Management.

Travel Requirements

There will a requirement to travel, mostly national, and there is some flexibility in this.

Employee Benefits

We offer a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, flexible working hours, and access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes.

Flexible Working

We understand the importance of work-life balance and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants.

About the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

The ESRC is the UK’s largest funder of economic, social, behavioural and human data science.

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.

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.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.

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.