Job Description

Programme Manager

Salary: 36,650 per annum

Band: UKRI Band D

Team: Research and Skill Directorate (Discovery Team)

Positions: 3

Hours: Full time or Part time (0.8)

Contract Type: Open Ended.

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

Closing Date: Tuesday 9th September 2025

About you

As a NERC Programme Manager (PM) you will engage with the academic community, business and policy makers to invest in and maintain the UK's position at the forefront of environmental research and innovation both nationally and internationally. You will be involved in developing and delivering NERC and UKRI investments lined with the objectives in NERC's Delivery plan ( https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/NERC020922-StrategicDeliveryPlan2022.pdf ). You will be working with the NERC community and other stakeholders from the public and private sectors and helping to maintain strong partnerships.


You will have an aptitude for programme delivery across a range of aspects including research funding competition management and post-award monitoring and engagement. You will have strong organisational, team-working and time-management skills, and excellent attention to detail. You will be self-motivated, quick to learn and flexible enough to manage a diverse and rapidly changing portfolio of activities, and work to deadlines.


It is essential that you have a demonstrable ability to resolve issues and work independently, whilst being part of a team. You will bring good influencing and communication skills with an ability to build effective working relationships with representatives within and external to NERC, across all levels of seniority.

What we offer

In return, this role will broaden your skills by giving you the opportunity to manage your own projects and activities. You will help to develop and structure ideas for future activities in a strongly team-based organisation as well as working with Government Departments, other Councils within UKRI and international agencies.


Your role will be varied, building relationships with universities, government partners and industry; managing and delivering NERC processes to ensure we fund research, innovation and training of the highest quality; and, planning and implementing community events to foster new, innovative, research and innovation programmes. The exact activities undertaken by the post-holder will vary as PM portfolios change to accommodate team working. PMs may report to more than one activity manager for different aspects of their own portfolio.


Travel in the UK and in some cases overseas is an important part of the role.

Key activities include but are not limited to:

Supporting the development and management of a portfolio of investment in research, innovation and postgraduate training within NERC's priorities. This includes: supporting design and implementation of funding calls and competitions, including potential activities aimed at community building. Take responsibility for the peer review and panel assessment of proposals for funding, by: selecting appropriate reviewers and panels members, acting as secretariat for the associated assessment panel meetings; ensure appropriate and timely communications at all times with those involved; promoting good decision making through equality, diversity and fairness in funding opportunities. Carry out active management of funded research, through specific programme activities, e.g. monitoring programme budgets; organising programme meetings and communications; preparing papers, reports and briefings; maintaining webpages. Engagement with communities and stakeholders in the UK and internationally. Act as an interface with researchers (universities, other environmental agencies, and research centres) and research users (business, government and policy makers) for agreed areas of NERC activity. Provide high quality expertise and advice in areas of responsibility informed by the latest developments in the area, evidence and engagement with relevant external stakeholders. Promoting and contributing to cross-council projects and projects funded jointly with external funders. Activity manage Assistant Programme Managers, as necessary, and administrative support staff in order to achieve NERC's delivery goals. Other tasks such as analysing investments (funding outcomes, outputs and impacts), data gathering and analysis.

Person Specification

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

Essential Skills

Working knowledge or experience of the research and/or innovation landscape in the UK and the science areas and/or communities supported by NERC. (S&I) Ability to absorb, evaluate and communicate complex information in language appropriate to the audience. (S&I) Ability to prioritise, multi-task, and work to deadlines. (S&I) Ability to work flexibly on own initiative, as well as contribute well to team working. (S&I) Demonstrable track record in influencing effectively (both verbal and written media) across teams, wider organisation and external stakeholder communities. (S&I) Effective use of Microsoft Office applications, e-mail and internet. (S)

Desirable Skills

Degree, preferably in environmental sciences, or equivalent relevant qualifications or expertise. (S) Experience and exposure to investment case construction, writing and development in a public and/or private sector context. (S) Experience of administering funding schemes, such as research, innovation or training programmes, or international funding schemes. (S) Experience of partnership working with senior academics and policy makers, other public sector bodies and businesses. (S) Experience of managing projects and budgets. (S) Understanding of grants management systems.(S)

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