Job Description

This senior position is based at the Colindale site and offers a key leadership role within the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), overseeing scientific and managerial operations within the Public Health Microbiology Directorate.



The successful candidate will assume comprehensive responsibility for scientific oversight, operational service delivery, and strategic development within a designated Unit. This includes managing cross-functional teams that may operate from different sites or remotely across the country.



As a Senior Leader, you will provide expert scientific guidance, ensure effective resource management, and drive innovation and continuous improvement across all aspects of laboratory services. The role demands active participation in high-level business planning, financial oversight, and the development of national and international partnerships to maintain and elevate the Unit's reputation.



You will work closely with senior management teams, external stakeholders, and business development groups to foster strong governance, meet performance objectives, and contribute to UKHSA's public health mission. A key aspect of this role is leading the Unit's efforts in income generation, procurement, and the implementation of best practices in laboratory service delivery, all while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and accreditation standards.



Occasional travel may be required for this post.



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



Lead and manage the scientific and operational service delivery for the designated Unit to ensure seamless working between teams and corporate business functions.



Deliver the budgeting, resourcing, planning and business management, working with Heads of Laboratory Business Operations, Heads of Technical Services, SM&L divisions and corporate leads in UKHSA to ensure the division meets its corporate requirements and liaises effectively with others.



Provide expert scientific leadership and be responsible for strategic development and operational service delivery in the designated laboratory Unit.



Develop and implement major change programmes as agreed by the Division's Senior Management Team in liaison with HR, Finance, Project and Change professionals, to support UKHSA core objectives



Chair groups on behalf of the Deputy Directors, ensuring that there is good governance in respect of Health & Safety; Clinical Governance; Information Governance; Quality Standards; Financial Management; HR Management; Regulatory Compliance; and Risk Management generally.



Lead procurement projects for the Unit in conjunction with the Procurement team. This may include planning, developing specifications, approvals (expenditure controls) and key performance metrics. Facilitate timetabling, evaluation and monitoring of suppliers and projects.



Lead income generation planning and identify funding opportunities and lead and support income activity across the business in partnership with business development and other corporate teams as appropriate.



Support the effective management of the Unit's Budget. This will include year-end/monthly close down, regular meetings with the Finance Business Partner and reviewing monthly performance.



The post holder will develop effective working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This may include: UKHSA Directorates and other teams, ministers, suppliers, Cabinet Office, Dept. of Health and Social Care officials, NHS England, NHS Improvement, NHS Digital, local authorities, voluntary bodies, stakeholders and members of the public. Communication will be face to face, including delivering presentations and facilitating workshops, by virtual means, phone, email, correspondence or via reports and briefings.



Please see the job spec for the full list of duties and responsibilities.



Essential Criteria



PhD in a biological science



HCPC Registration or be able to achieve registration within 18 months of appointment.



CPD participation



National/International recognition for organism-specific or subject matter expertise.



Experience working within a quality system, ensuring adherence to standards.



In-depth understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures.



Knowledge and experience of laboratory safety regulations and procedures.



Experience in project management, delivering successful outcomes within scope and deadlines.



Demonstrated ability to use technical expertise to assess and improve existing systems and processes, driving innovation and change in laboratory practices.



Extensive knowledge of specialist and reference microbiology functions and their role in public health.



Strong aptitude for managing teams and assessing individual and collective performance.



Negotiation and influencing skills to collaborate with managers, senior staff, and NHS experts to drive projects forward.



Selection Process Details



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

Stage 1:

Application & Sift



You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 11 essential criteria that have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of a:



Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application)



1500 word Statement of Suitability.



This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.



The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting:

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



Meets all essential criteria



Meets some essential criteria



Meets no essential criteria



Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:



PhD in a biological science



National/International recognition for organism-specific or subject matter expertise



Experience in project management, delivering successful outcomes within scope and deadlines.



If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.



Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.



Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.



Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:

Interview



You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.



Behaviours, technical skills and experience will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

Making effective decisions



Managing a quality service



Changing and improving



Leadership



Developing self and others



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 our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London. 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).



Eligibility Criteria



Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).



Security Clearance Level Requirement



Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.



Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check.



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.



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.