Senior Portfolio Manager - Future Telecoms TMF Programme

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Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Senior Portfolio Manager Future Telecoms TMF Programme

Salary: £43,116 per annum
Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 0.8 FTE)
Contract type: Fixed Term (concluding 31 March 2025)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire
Grade: UKRI Band E
Positions available: 1

Purpose

This role will align with the Future Telecom (FT) critical technology, primarily delivered via the EPSRC Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) team as part of Technology Missions Fund (TMF).

The role will include the leadership, development and monitoring of the EPSRC FT activities, specifically the FT Hubs as well as the wider Communications portfolio. You will also support Governance of these activities, becoming the secretariate to various boards and support/brief the TMF FT programme director. You will be involved with supporting the monitoring of finances as well as the outcomes of this activity.

Along with the Head of Team, you will maintain the relationship with DSIT Future Telecoms and Networks team as well as other key stakeholders in the area (i.e. academic community, key businesses and Catapults). You will support the Head of Team to building ongoing strategy for Communications ready for the next Spending Review period. You will also be responsible for oversight of some international activities, including the renew of India-UK activities in the area (may require travel).

The role will form part of our strategic leadership for the team, overseeing and line managing staff, representing the ICT team, occasionally stepping in for the head of team, EPSRC and UKRI at key meetings and overseeing the delivery of grants processes and strategic interventions, with a focus on the skills portfolio.

Main outputs and activities

The primary purpose of the senior portfolio manager roles is to :

• Contribute to as well as shape the development and delivery of strategy across research and innovation.
• Problem solve, lead innovation and change management to deliver strategy more effectively and efficiently.
• Build and influence internal and external relationships that help to maximise the benefits from EPSRC's investments.
• Drive a culture of high-performance teamwork to maximise the effective use of resources.
• Line-manage and/or project manage several colleagues: providing leadership and support for personal development.
• Provide high quality expertise and advice in your areas of responsibility, informed by evidence and engagement with relevant stakeholders.

Shortlisting criteria

Essential:

• Portfolio and Project Management - You will have a track record of successful programme, portfolio and/or project management of research-related or innovation activities in a fast paced but collaborative environment, including managing packages of work within projects and programmes as well as governance arrangements. (S)
• Analysis and communicating : You will have the ability to identify, analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative evidence and data. You will be able to communicate your findings clearly, maximising impact and understanding. Can include evidence of setting-up and/or delivering a monitoring and evaluation framework. (S)
• Making effective decisions : You will have the ability to analyse the options available to enable appropriate decision making, strategy development and implementation. You will be able to spot problems and challenges emerging and consider the options to inform and recommend measured solutions. (S&I)
• Seeing the big picture : You will have the ability to assess a number of complex, often conflicting, sources of evidence and take a step back to understand the big picture, enabling you to inform future direction and strategy. You will be able to understand the strategic drivers of your area of work and understand how your area of work relates to wider organisational priorities. (S&I)
• Effective leadership and resource management : You will be able to demonstrate an ability to lead diverse teams and networks, engaging with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver a shared vision. You will have the ability to manage resources, including staff performance in achieving strategic and operational aims, and financial resources to ensure value for money. (I)
• Working with others : You will have management experience, coupled with the ability to mentor, motivate, support and inspire others to work effectively to deliver their own personal objectives and team goals. You will be able to collaborate and develop partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support. (I)
• Changing and improving : You will have the ability to review ways of working and suggest improvements, contributing to the development and implementation of new ideas and approaches. You will positively challenge established thinking in yourself and others and address challenges in an innovative, respectful manner. (I)

Desirable:

• You will have an understanding of the Telecoms or broader communications / Future Networks research and innovation landscape in the UK and internationally.
• You will have an understanding of the wider strategic environment UKRI operates in and an interest or understanding of the research environment and related Government departments.

About the Engineering and Physical Sciences Council (EPSRC)

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Council (EPSRC) is a partner organisation within UKRI, providing essential research and skills for all sectors of the economy, and through this aims to enhance long-term societal well-being and prosperity.

EPSRC is the main UK government agency for funding this research and training in engineering and the physical sciences. They invest over £850 million a year in a broad range of subjects from mathematics to materials science and from information technology to structural engineering.

For more information about EPSRC click here: https://www.ukri.org/councils/epsrc/

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

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 .

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

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, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. 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.