Job Info
* Job Category: Economic
* Apply Before: 05/10/2026
* Job Identification: 2135
* Posting Date: 04/13/2026
* Job Shift: Day
* Hours: Full Time / Part Time
Job Description
Job Title: Programme Manager
Salary: £46,743 - £51,036 gross per annum (dependent on skills and experience)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full-Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and offer flexible working, but do require at least 3 days a week on-site)
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington
Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.
About the Role
As the Programmes Manager you will be the DTC Site Lead at Daresbury and will lead the DTC programmes in Biotech (DTC Bio) and Health tech (DTC Health and NHS). You will liaise with the Head of the DTC and work collaboratively with other Programme Managers and site leads in Harwell and Edinburgh. You will manage one direct report and team up with colleagues who manage financial, contractual and administrative matters for the DTC at Daresbury.
This role involves working closely with more than 20 different Health and Biotech start‑ups each year to support them through their innovation journeys – from developing new cancer diagnostics to creating better products. You will have overall responsibility for running the DTC site at Daresbury and ensuring local targets are met.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead current DTC operations and support the development of new support programmes at Daresbury.
* Agree and deliver all targets for the DTC programmes at Daresbury (e.g., number of start‑ups joining, graduation rates, case studies, impact created).
* Ensure a high‑quality deal‑flow of applications by identifying potential applicants and supporting them to develop and submit competitive applications.
* Ensure that start‑ups supported by the DTC Daresbury programmes complete their engagements and fully exploit the technical and business support on offer.
* Own the operational relationships and day‑to‑day information sharing with co‑funder partners, including UKRI‑BBSRC and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, with periodic reporting on programme progress.
* Cultivate relationships with regional organisations in the North West providing business support, funding and investment to start‑ups.
* Collaborate with STFC and co‑funder marketing and communications teams to promote the impact of the DTC (quantitative and anecdotal).
* Work closely with STFC’s cluster development teams to maximise the impact of our support for technology businesses.
* Produce timely, complete and appropriate business, financial and operational reports as required.
* Support the DTC Lead to develop and refresh the overall strategy for Biotech and Health programmes.
The role will be primarily based at the Sci‑Tech Daresbury campus in Cheshire with the expectation that you will spend at least 3 days per week on-site. Occasional travel within the UK and potentially abroad is required.
Person Specification
* Experience working with technology‑based SMEs and knowledge of the support they require to take a product to market, ideally through previous experience in business incubation and/or technology transfer, especially in biotech and health tech.
* Ability to evaluate the quality and maturity of start‑up business plans and provide constructive, action‑oriented feedback and recommendations.
* Business development experience with demonstrable evidence of growing and managing a pipeline of business opportunities.
* A track record in owning and managing one or more projects or programmes to time and on budget.
* Good organisational skills such as prioritisation, resource management and stakeholder management.
* Excellent communication, networking and presentation skills, including the ability to interface between technical and commercial audiences.
* Ability to travel within the UK and abroad.
Employee Benefits
* 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
* An excellent defined salary pension scheme.
* Easily accessible public transport links and free parking.
* Excellent learning and development opportunities.
Equal Opportunities & Diversity
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community.
UKRI is a Disability Confident Employer. Any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria will be shortlisted for interview and will receive reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
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