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Senior Programme Manager

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Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £43,116 per annum
Hours: Full time or Part time (0.8 FTE minimum)
Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, and business support teams explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it's sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you're surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

We are looking for a Senior Programme Manager to join the STFC Programmes Directorate. Programmes is responsible for implementing STFC's core programme across particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics. This includes the associated high performance computing, and STFC's delivery of education, innovation, training, international and public outreach activities. We also manage and oversee the subscriptions to UKRI's largest international facilities and organisations, supporting DSIT in their governance, as well as linking to the relevant scientific communities through our advisory panels.

This role will support the nuclear physics and particle astrophysics programmes, which aim to answer some of the biggest and most exciting questions in the universe including understanding gravitational waves and the nature of matter. You will join a dynamic team of 6 people working across nuclear and particle astrophysics, and international user facilities, reporting to the Associate Director.

About the role

In this post you will have a focus on the oversight and delivery of the UKRI Infrastructure Fund projects Next Generation Gravitational Waves (preliminary), and Electron Ion Collider (full project), as part of a broader portfolio within particle astro and nuclear physics. These wider activities will encompass the management, commissioning, peer review, funding award and oversight of programmes funded by STFC in the universities and its own laboratories. You will have regular interaction with the STFC community within universities and STFC's own laboratories, and with management and administrative staff at different levels within STFC and UKRI.

It will also involve some travel and occasional overnight stays, in the UK and internationally.

This is a varied role with the opportunity to work on programmes and large science projects at all stages including strategic programme development, the development of Business Cases, peer review and funding award, programme oversight and monitoring, and programme review.

Main outputs and activities

• lead on the oversight of the Infrastructure Fund project Next Generation Gravitational Waves (preliminary). Monitor its progress through an Oversight Committee, report into STFC and UKRI, and support its development into its next phase including the development of a Business Case if required
• lead on the oversight of the ~£60m Infrastructure Fund project Electron Ion Collider (full), from award. Implement and support a full governance structure, providing active oversight, assurance and risk management within the international context of the project. Monitor its progress, reporting into STFC and UKRI. Support its evaluation and impact activities
• management of the commissioning, peer review and funding of programmes including large R&D and construction projects and science research funding
• management of the oversight, assurance and risk management of funded projects.
• Provide briefing, reports and strategic advice to STFC's advisory bodies and senior management on future programme planning and delivery
• engagement/liaison with the UK and international research community, including representing STFC on external programme management bodies
• some UK and international travel

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.

As one of Europe's largest research organisations, this is a place where there's always something new to learn - about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what's possible.

STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days' annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

Person Specification

The criteria below will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I)

• degree level qualification or equivalent experience (S)
• excellent inter-personal skills including written and oral communications, negotiating and influencing (S&I)
• knowledge of and ability to apply project and budget management skills (S&I)
• good research and analytical skills for both written and financial information (S&I)
• ability to use complex data systems e.g. Siebel, and agile thinking to evolve current processes to align with the new and developing system TFS (S&I)
• good team member with ability to plan and prioritise (S&I)
• enthusiasm for STFC's science areas (S&I)

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

As one of Europe's largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We're proud of the impact we make. And we're committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You'll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you'll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you'll discover just what a difference you can make when you're equipped and inspired to excel.

We're a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don't, ask questions that others won't, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it's at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It's very often ground-breaking. And it's endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/

You can also visit our careers site https: //www.stfccareers.co.uk/

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.

Senior Programme Manager

UK Research and Innovation
Swindon, UK
Full-Time

Published on 04/09/2024

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