UKRI Programme Director
Salary: £94,931 - £117,800 per annum
Grade: UKRI BandX
Hours: Full time
Location: Swindon (some travel to London required)
Contract: 2‑year fixed term (funding dependent; may be extended after review)
Closing Date: 25 January 2026
Interview Dates: W/C 16 or 23 February 2026
About You
Are you an experienced senior leader with large‑scale, complex people and organisational design experience? If so, this role offers the opportunity to shape and strengthen UKRI’s operating model to deliver on its mission.
About the Role
The Programme Director will define and shape strategy and delivery of key organisational initiatives, bringing exceptional leadership, capability and energy to progress this programme of work. You will work closely with the CEO, Chief People Officer and the Executive Committee to drive an efficient, agile, people‑centred operating model that supports UKRI’s financial and strategic objectives. Your leadership will span large‑scale workstreams, ensuring accountability for overall success, while building strong relationships with senior stakeholders across research councils, centres, institutes and units. You will exercise sound financial stewardship and robust governance across the programme.
Key Responsibilities
* Design, develop and deliver a people‑centred operating model from an organisational design perspective, including governance, risk and benefits realisation.
* Lead the development of a wider people plan that underpins this work and collaborate with senior leaders to deliver an overarching plan aligned against the next spending review.
* Be accountable for the successful delivery of people elements relating to organisational change and oversee the broader change portfolio to ensure alignment and success.
* Manage the people change budget (c.£30m in year one), including operational expenditure, ensuring spending complies with UKRI policies and processes.
* Build and sustain complex relationships around organisational change.
Person Specification
* Qualifications (S) – Degree level education or Chartered Membership of CIPD, or significant experience delivering organisational design at scale.
* Leadership (S&I) – Significant senior leadership experience managing large‑scale, complex programmes, with proven ability to inspire and influence diverse teams.
* Stakeholder Management and Influence (S) – Proven ability to work effectively with executive and senior stakeholders, including influence at board level.
* Strategic Leadership and Implementation (I) – Strategic mindset to translate ideas and policies into actionable plans, delivering results within dynamic, changing environments.
* Governance, Risk Management, and Process Efficiency (S&I) – Develop and implement governance frameworks, monitor progress, evaluate risks and manage large budgets.
* Collaboration and Partnership Building (I) – Experience collaborating with third parties and external partners to deliver joint commitments.
* Government (S) – Significant awareness of government operations and partners, navigating complex environments to deliver on shared goals.
Incentives
* Flexible Working
* 30 days annual leave + public holidays
* Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme
* Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider
Application Guidance
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in your cover letter to demonstrate how your experience meets each person specification criterion. For examples, visit The STAR method | National Careers Service. Submit a CV and cover letter (no longer than two A4 pages each) with a minimum font size of 11. Submissions cannot be edited later; for updates, contact SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org.
Other Information
If you’d like an informal chat about the role before applying, please contact SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org.
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