Job Description

Details

-----------


###

Reference number

438936
###

Salary

56,185 - 70,566
Per annum, pro rata (Market Pay Supplement of up to 10,000)
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
###

Job grade

Grade 7###

Contract type

Permanent###

Type of role

Digital###

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time###

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

------------

Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

------------


This role is being offered as hybrid working based at either one of our core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool or London) or one of our scientific campuses (Colindale or Porton Down).




We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) working at one of the above locations.




Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).




If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

About the job

-----------------

###

Job summary

As a Senior Product Manager - HPC & AI within the Digital Development & Operations team (part of the Chief Data Officer Group), you will own the vision, strategy and delivery of UKHSA's high-performance computing (HPC), research-computing and artificial-intelligence capabilities. Partnering with scientists, modellers, engineers, AWS/NVIDIA specialists and cross-government stakeholders, you will translate complex analytical, and compute needs into a clear product roadmap that accelerates public-health insight while meeting the Government Digital Service (GDS) standards.


You will lead discovery, alpha and live phases, build robust business cases and prioritise epics, stories and technical debt to maximise value, speed and security. Owning the product backlog, you will balance short-term operational requirements with longer-term innovation, ensuring efficient use of cloud and on-premise HPC resources, sustainable licensing and resilient support models.


Acting as the single point of accountability for HPC & AI services across their full lifecycle, you will secure stakeholder buy-in, track benefits realisation, manage supplier relationships and champion data-protection and cyber-safety considerations. Your leadership will enable UKHSA to run advanced simulations, genomic pipelines and AI-driven surveillance at scale, helping the Agency protect the nation's health through faster, more accurate evidence.

###

Job description

The Digital and Directorate has primary responsibility for scientific computing and research computing services and support. The key functions of the Digital Development and Operations unit are to provide and support such platforms required by the staff of The UK Health Security Agency, and to provide the technical capabilities to enable public health services, both within the Organisation and between the Organisation and its customers and stakeholders.


The role will be responsible to the Head of HPC and is part of the HPC/SRE/AI & research computing unit whose remit is to:

Architect, develop & manage multi-cloud HPC platforms and on-premise infrastructure Ensure services are highly available, scalable and resilient. Managing performance, capability and capacity planning. Support UKHSA's AI requirements ###

Person specification

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Own the end-to-end product lifecycle for HPC, research computing, and AI services, from strategy to delivery Develop and manage roadmaps, delivery plans, and prioritised backlogs aligned with agency objectives Lead multidisciplinary agile teams to deliver new and iterated services that meet user and scientific needs Collaborate with service owners, stakeholders, engineers, analysts, and vendors to define and deliver effective, secure solutions Use your technical understanding (e.g. HPC, AI, research computing) to translate complex requirements and support risk-based decisions Conduct and interpret user research to shape product direction and ensure solutions are user centred Coordinate the HPC and AI Community of Practice and align recurring initiatives to member needs Track sector developments in HPC, predictive/ML and generative AI to inform strategic planning Develop stakeholder relationships across UKHSA to build support, influence prioritisation, and ensure shared ownership of delivery Promote agile, digital ways of working and contribute to UKHSA's corporate objectives, governance processes, and best practice sharing

Role Purpose

The Senior Product Manager - HPC & AI owns the vision, strategy and continual improvement of UKHSA's high-performance computing (HPC), research-computing and artificial-intelligence capabilities. Working within the Digital Development & Operations (DDO) team and reporting to the Head of Product & Delivery, you will translate complex scientific and analytical needs into a clear product roadmap, secure stakeholder commitment, and lead multi-disciplinary agile teams through discovery, alpha, beta and live phases. Your leadership ensures that scalable, secure and cost-effective compute services accelerate modelling, genomic analysis and AI-driven surveillance that protect the nation's health.

Key Responsibilities

Own the product lifecycle for HPC, research-computing and AI services, from strategy and business-case creation to live operation and retirement Develop and maintain the product roadmap, prioritising epics, stories and technical debt to maximise user and organisational value Lead multi-disciplinary agile teams (engineering, data science, UX, security, commercial) to deliver new capabilities and iterate existing ones Conduct and interpret user research with scientists, modellers and operational staff to shape product direction and service design Translate complex technical requirements into user-centred features, balancing cloud, on-premise and hybrid HPC architectures Manage commercial relationships (e.g. AWS, NVIDIA, colocation providers), licensing models and contract performance, ensuring value for money Coordinate the HPC & AI Community of Practice, aligning initiatives and knowledge-sharing to member priorities Monitor sector innovations in GenAI, ML, accelerator hardware and orchestration technologies; feed insights into strategic planning Establish and track KPIs/OKRs, using qualitative and quantitative data to evidence performance, benefits realisation and continuous improvement Champion GDS Digital Service Standards and agile, product-led ways of working across UKHSA, providing coaching where required Lead risk-based decision-making on security, resilience and data-protection aspects of HPC and AI solutions Report progress, risks and financials to senior governance boards and ensure alignment with the CDO Group's strategic objectives

Additional Clauses

The post aligns with the GDaD Product Management profession and the Government Digital Service (GDS) delivery approach Appointment is subject to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks; SC clearance may be required for certain datasets The role holder must adhere to all UKHSA policies, contribute to corporate objectives, and support cross-cutting service-improvement activities as required

Essential Role Criteria

Proven ability to conduct user research and gather technical/business requirements, translating complex computing concepts into accessible language A degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field such as computer science, data science, engineering, product management, or another STEM discipline is expected Demonstrated experience managing complex technical backend products and collaborating effectively with engineering teams Strong understanding of HPC, cloud-based and on-premises compute architectures (or closely related research-computing environments) Track record of applying GDS Digital Service Standards (or equivalent) to digital products or services Ability to develop and maintain long-term product visions and roadmaps that evolve platform capability with organisational needs Stakeholder-engagement expertise, securing senior buy-in and sustaining relationships across technical and non-technical domains Hands-on agile delivery experience and the ability to instil agile mind-sets in multi-disciplinary teams User-focused approach, leveraging insights to prioritise needs and shape service design Comprehensive lifecycle perspective, guiding teams through discovery, alpha, beta and live Experience of operational management for live digital services, including support and continuous improvement Skilled in problem ownership--identifying issues, analysing options and leading teams to effective solutions Ability to define, track and act on KPIs/OKRs that evidence product success Demonstrated product-led leadership and active contribution to product-management communities of practice Proven capability to manage uncertainty and validate scope against current and future value Experience setting strategic product visions and focusing teams on desired outcomes, not pre-defined solutions

Desirable Role Criteria

Willingness to travel to UKHSA hubs for workshops, stakeholder engagement and on-site delivery support ###

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:


Managing a Quality Service Working Together Delivering at Pace Changing and Improving

Benefits

------------


Alongside your salary of 56,185, UK Health Security Agency contributes 16,276 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.


UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.


Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Things you need to know

---------------------------

###

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Success Profiles.


At sift stage you will be assessed against the 16 essential skills listed in the job advert.


You will be required to complete an:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) (up to 1000 number of words) word supporting statement.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.


You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V -please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV)

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications, we may longlist into 3 piles of:

Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria

We will take piles "Meets all essential criteria" through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large amount of applications, we will sift on:

Proven ability to conduct user research and gather technical/business requirements, translating complex computing concepts into accessible language

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a remote interview. Interviews will take place mid to late January. Specific dates will be provided ahead of your interview.


This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess you against the below:


Behaviours:

Managing a Quality Service Working together Changing and improving Delivering at pace

Strengths

Previous Skills and Experience

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5-10 minute presentation. The topic will be about HPC, cloud-based and on-premises compute architectures (or closely related research-computing environments). Further details will be provided prior to the interview.


Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at either one of our core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool or London) or one of our scientific campuses (Colindale or Porton Down).



We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) working at one of the above locations.



Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).



If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.


Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location


Grade 7


56,185- 66,581 (National)


58,340- 68,574 (Outer London)


60,494- 70,566 (Inner London)

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.


You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.


Link: Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service Careers

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant's personal details - name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.###

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check .



See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.###

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
###

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.



We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.###

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

---------------------------------


Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.###

Contact point for applicants

####

Job contact :

Name : Tom Geldeard Email : Tom.Geldeard@ukhsa.gov.uk
####

Recruitment team

Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk ###

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.




If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk




If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk