Operations Lead

Team: UKRI Talent and Skills 

Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 0.6 FTE)

Contract Type: Fixed Term (Ending 31/03/27) 

Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire. (hybrid working available)

We are recruiting for an Operations Lead within the Interdisciplinary Responsive Mode Team (UKRI Talent and Skills Team), who will support the delivery of the UKRI cross research council responsive mode (CRCRM) scheme pilot. This pan-UKRI programme is designed to support interdisciplinary ideas emerging from the research community outside current disciplinary boundaries, and outside of the remit of existing UKRI responsive mode schemes.

The Operations Lead will be responsible for effectively leading the operational processes associated with the delivery of the scheme’s funding opportunities, including the assessment and awarding of applications and supporting the management and training of the Interdisciplinary Assessment College. The Operations Lead will also play a key role in the effective monitoring and evaluation of the pilot. They will be responsible for the task management of Funding Officers and Funding Administrators and will line manage at least one member of the team.

Personal specifications:

• Educated to degree-level or demonstrate equivalent experience
• Experience of working in a research and/ or innovation environment, with a clear understanding of peer review
• Effective team member, with experience of establishing and maintaining effective working relationships, both internally and externally and at all levels of seniority
• Excellent leadership skills, including delegation and supporting others
• Excellent communication skills (both orally and written); experience of presenting information persuasively and succinctly and negotiating effectively with others
• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to manage changing and / or conflicting priorities and time optimally and collecting, managing and maintaining large volumes of sensitive data
• Demonstrable analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to work with ambiguity and respond to difficult situations by showing initiative and judgement in an evolving environment
• A clear understanding and commitment to advancing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We 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)

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

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

How to apply:

For full details, please visit our careers site. Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role (via the ‘Apply’ button above). 

A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.

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