UKRI Research %26 Development Mission Programme Director

Research & Development Mission Programme Director

Salary: £91,943 - £99,000 per annum (dependent on skills and experience).
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended. Secondment arrangements also welcome - We have secured funding until 31 March 2026 and during that time we will be bidding for investment until 2030.

Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire with travel to London.

Closing Date: Monday 7th April 2025 (23:59). Interview Dates: 30th April 2025 & 1st May 2025.

About the Research & Development Mission Programme (RDMP)

The Research & Development Missions Programme (RDMP) is a new, targeted UK 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. An initial investment of £25 million was announced in the autumn budget, with UKRI leading, in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Government Mission teams, on focused Research and Innovation (R&I) Challenges to respond to and develop solutions for the Problems in each Mission.

About the Role

The UKRI Research & Development Mission Programme (RDMP) Director will lead the new Research & Development Mission Hub hosted by UKRI in the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The role provides a unique opportunity for an exceptional programme leader to shape and lead the strategy and delivery of the Research & Development Mission Programme by providing the exceptional leadership, skills, and energy to drive this important work forward. Reporting to the Executive Chair of ESRC, who is the SRO of the RDMP, you will oversee and work closely with R&I Challenge Directors. You will provide leadership and line management for several functional/area leads in the RDMP Hub and have indirect management for up to ten roles in year one. This is expected to increase considerably in coming years if the business case is successful.

The role will involve leading large-scale, complex programmes, where you will hold substantial accountability for their success. You will be responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships, collaborating effectively with a wide range of senior stakeholders across various sectors, including industry, government, and academia. Additionally, you will oversee the development and management of high-performing teams, guiding them through periods of change. You will work closely with the R&I Challenge Directors across the councils, playing a central role in facilitating and brokering effective and inclusive partnerships throughout the programme. Your efforts will ensure the programme remains on track and meets its goals within an accelerated timeframe. As an experienced budget manager, you will also ensure strong governance and financial oversight across the programme.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Design and launch the new UKRI RDMP Hub, operating model, and appropriate governance arrangements including risk and benefits realisation. Form and lead a new team, in the first instance with four direct reports, plus indirect leadership for up to ten roles.
• Lead the effective development of the RDMP and Lead, with the SRO and R&I challenge directors, negotiations with the UK government teams and relevant Government Departments collaborations.
• Accountable for the successful delivery of the RDMP strategy and oversight of R&I Challenge Directors to help them to succeed and ensure that they deliver within the parameters of the programme.
• Be responsible for the RDMP budget - £25m in year one - including operational expenditure budget, ensuring that spending is in line with all UKRI policies and processes.
• Relationship management between the UKRI RDMP Hub, the Mission Challenge Directors, Executive Chairs of UKRI and the Oversight Board, and Government mission teams.

About you

Candidates will be assessed against the following essential criteria throughout the recruitment process:

• Qualifications - Educated to degree level or possesses significant vocational experience. Postgraduate and professional qualifications are desirable.
• Leadership - Significant senior leadership experience in managing large-scale, complex programmes, with a proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire diverse teams through change, demonstrating credibility and strong influencing skills.
• Stakeholder Management and Influence - Proven ability to work effectively with a complex range of executive and senior stakeholders, including the ability to influence and challenge at Board level. Demonstrates strong communication and persuasive skills in driving outcomes.
• Strategic Leadership and Implementation - Strong strategic mindset with the ability to translate ideas and policies into actionable plans, delivering results while managing programmes in dynamic, rapidly changing environments. Skilled at ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and adapting to evolving needs.
• Governance, Risk Management, and Process Efficiency - Ability to develop and implement governance frameworks, monitor progress, evaluate risks, and manage budgets. Successfully balances process efficiency with the need for flexibility and fast-moving responsiveness.
• Collaboration and Partnership Building - Experience in collaborating with third parties and external partners to deliver joint commitments, while developing and maintaining strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Government - Significant awareness of the workings of government and its partners, with the ability to navigate complex environments while maintaining effective partnerships and delivering on shared goals.

If you have any questions about this role, please contact us at seniorrecruitment@ukri.org.

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/statement of suitability and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application/the careers portal.

Should you have any problem with submitting your application via the UKRI Careers Portal, please do send an email to SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org and a member of our team will then be in touch.

Please note, to apply via the UKRI Careers Portal you will receive a notification confirming your profile has successfully been created (if you have not previously set up an account) and a second notification confirming your application for this role has been submitted. If you do not receive the second notification confirming your application for this role has been submitted, please contact SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org, so we can ensure your application has been received.