Job Description

Job Introduction

We're looking for a

Spectrum Manager

to help us make a difference to our planet.


As our Spectrum Manager, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work.


Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, but we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 22.5 hours per week and we will also try our best to consider those intending to work a job share. Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.

World changing work

From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are.

We're a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact We're experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making We're better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

Your world of expertise

Our forecasts and warnings depend on high-quality atmospheric and oceanic observations. Many observing systems--like satellites, radars, and radiosondes--rely on specific radio frequencies to measure atmospheric conditions and transmit critical data. Growing demand for radio frequencies from sectors such as telecoms, transport, and defence threatens this access, putting weather and climate services at risk.


That's where our Spectrum Manager comes in. This pivotal role safeguards our long-term access to essential frequencies, representing the Met Office in national and international forums, and working with Ofcom (UK Government Office of Communications), other UK stakeholders and the global meteorological community to protect our spectrum interests.


If you're passionate about science, technology, and policy, and want to help secure the invisible infrastructure behind life-saving weather services, this is your chance to make a real impact.

Your key duties

:


As our Spectrum Manager, you will:

Shape the future of spectrum use:

Lead the development and delivery of Met Office spectrum policy--balancing internal operational needs, global meteorological priorities, and UK government strategy.

Champion the needs of meteorology with government:

Build strong relationships with Ofcom (Office of Communications), DSIT (Department of Science, Innovation and Technology), and other key government bodies to ensure weather and climate needs are front and centre in UK spectrum planning.

Drive global collaboration:

Work with international partners like the World Meteorological Organization, EUMETNET, and EUMETSAT to align priorities and coordinate action on spectrum protection across the global meteorological community.

Be the voice of the UK:

Represent the Met Office and the UK at national and international forums--advocating for spectrum access, raising awareness of emerging threats, and influencing global policy. This role typically involves around four international trips per year and two UK face-to-face meetings.

Own the spectrum portfolio

: Oversee all Met Office spectrum licences, ensuring we have the access we need for our observing systems and data communications.

Safeguard our radar network:

Lead cross-team efforts to protect our weather radar infrastructure from interference - whether from wind-farms, trees, or other encroachments.

Deliver strategic impact:

Take the lead on other high-priority initiatives that support the broader goals of the Observations area - bringing insight, coordination, and momentum.

Why join us

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is Great Place to Work UK certified. We are also featured on their 'Best Workplaces in Tech' 2023 and 2024 lists, as well as their '54 Best Workplaces for Women' 2023 list.


As our Spectrum Manager, your total reward package will be up to 73,518 annually, which includes:

52,799 base pay An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97% Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave

Essential Criteria, skills and experience:

You're a natural connector, skilled at working

better together

by building and nurturing partnerships with national and international bodies to deliver real-world impact for your organisation. (Lead Criteria) You're an

expert by nature

, able to bring sound insight and judgement to complex technical landscapes, balancing scientific, governmental, and global stakeholder priorities with confidence.

You live and breathe

it

by turning complex information into clear, actionable plans that drive progress and deliver results. You're a compelling communicator, able to translate technical detail into meaningful messages for diverse audiences, including non-specialists, technical experts and senior leaders. You

keep evolving

and have successfully shaped and delivered stakeholder strategies that align organisational needs with those of key partners. You are willing to travel to represent the Met Office at various UK and international forums and events.

The panel may perform a preliminary sift of the lead criteria as indicated above.

How to apply

If you share our values, we'd love to hear from you! Click apply to begin your application. Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills.


Closing date 26/06/2025 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 07 July 2025. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.

Using AI in your application

We welcome applications that use AI tools for support in drafting or refining, as long as they accurately reflect your own skills and experience. All hiring decisions at the Met Office are made by people, not AI. For more details, visit our approach to recruitment.

How we can help

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at careers@metoffice.gov.uk.


If you're considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.


We understand that great minds don't always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.


We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.