Chief Executive Officer

Hours: 2 days per week (0.4 fte)

Location: Remote (UK-based), with some travel including initially one day per week in Bristol         

Contract: To September 2028, with potential to become permanent, subject to the successful operation of UKRN Services

About UKRN Services CIC

UKRN Services is the trading arm of the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN) — a national, peer-led consortium working to ensure the UK remains a centre for world-leading research. Our mission is to promote rigorous and transparent research practices by enabling services by and for the research community and the wider research system.

We are at an exciting start-up phase, building the operational foundations that will allow UKRN Services to grow sustainably and deliver real impact across the UK research landscape.

The Role

This is a rare opportunity to shape a small but ambitious community interest company (CIC) from the ground up. As CEO, you will provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership — working closely with the UKRN core executive team and Board of Directors to set direction, secure resources, and oversee day-to-day operations.

The role spans a broad spectrum: from high-level stakeholder engagement and governance to the hands-on practicality of establishing systems and processes. You will champion UKRN’s core values of transparency and rigour in everything UKRN Services does.

You will lead on strategy, financial management, community relationships, business development, and external advocacy. You will also line-manage a small team and a portfolio of freelance colleagues, with a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion embedded throughout.

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Demonstrable leadership experience within a non-profit, social enterprise, research, or public sector organisation
• Strong commercial understanding and experience of managing or overseeing budgets within a small organisation or project
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to work across institutional boundaries
• Sound understanding of governance, regulatory responsibilities, and reporting requirements
• Ability to work autonomously and make sound, well-reasoned decisions within limited time and resources.

Desirable

• Interest in or alignment with UKRN’s mission and the principles of rigorous and transparent research
• Experience working with a small Board or equivalent governance structure
• Knowledge of the UK research sector landscape
• Experience managing or coordinating remote, part-time, or freelance teams.

Terms at a Glance

• Salary: £50,250 – £55,250 pro rata
• Hours: 2 days per week, worked flexibly (0.4 fte)
• Location: Remote (UK-based), with some travel including initially one day per week in Bristol
  
• Contract:  2 years to September 2028 – with the potential to become permanent, subject to the successful operation of UKRN Services
• Annual leave: pro rata of 25 days annual leave (18 days) plus 3 days Christmas closure and 8 public holidays
• Pension: Employer 6%, Employee 5% (11% total)
• Probation: 2 months
• Reports to: Board of Directors

Why Join Us?

UKRN Services sits at the heart of a growing national movement to improve how research is conducted and reported in the UK. You will work with a passionate, expert community — including researchers, institutions, funders, and policymakers — and have a genuine opportunity to shape how rigorous, reproducible research becomes embedded across the system.

This is a flexible, part-time role suited to someone who combines strategic vision with a hands-on approach, and who values working collaboratively with purpose and autonomy.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a CV and a covering letter (no more than two pages) outlining how your experience meets the person specification and why you are interested in this role.
Applications should be sent via the 'Apply' button above (nicola@ukrnservices.co.uk) by 10 July 2026. Interviews will be held on Thursday 23 July 2026.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the research community we serve. We particularly encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in leadership roles.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Nicola Payne at nicola.payne@bristol.ac.uk.