Programme
Apply promptly! A high volume of applicants is expected for the role as detailed below, do not wait to send your CV.
Manager
Salary:
£36,650 per
annum
Band:
UKRI Band
D
Team: Research
and Skill Directorate (Discovery
Team)
Positions:
3
Hours: Full time
or Part time
(0.8)
Contract Type:
Open
Ended.
Location:
Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire. (Hybrid working
available)
Closing
Date: Tuesday 9th September
2025
As a Natural Environment
Research Council (NERC) Programme Manager, you will engage with the
academic community, business, and policy makers to help maintain
the UK’s leadership in environmental research and innovation, both
nationally and internationally. You will contribute to the
development and delivery of NERC and UK Research and Innovation
(UKRI) investments aligned with NERC’s strategic delivery plan,
demonstrating a strong aptitude for programme delivery across areas
such as research funding competition management and post-award
monitoring.
Key
activities:
* Supporting
the development and management of a portfolio of investment in
research, innovation and postgraduate training within NERC’s
priorities.
* Take responsibility for the peer
review and panel assessment of proposals for funding, by: selecting
appropriate reviewers and panels members, acting as secretariat for
the associated assessment panel meetings; ensure appropriate and
timely communications at all times with those involved; promoting
good decision making through equality, diversity and fairness in
funding opportunities.
* Carry out active
management of funded research, through specific programme
activities, e.g. monitoring programme budgets; organising programme
meetings and communications; preparing papers, reports and
briefings; maintaining
webpages.
* Engagement with communities and
stakeholders in the UK and internationally. Act as an interface
with researchers (universities, other environmental agencies, and
research centres) and research users (business, government and
policy makers) for agreed areas of NERC
activity.
* Provide high quality expertise
and advice in areas of responsibility informed by the latest
developments in the area, evidence and engagement with relevant
external stakeholders.
* Promoting and
contributing to cross-council projects and projects funded jointly
with external funders.
* Activity manage
Assistant Programme Managers, as necessary, and administrative
support staff in order to achieve NERC’s delivery
goals.
* Other tasks such as analysing
investments (funding outcomes, outputs and impacts), data gathering
and
analysis.
Person
Specification
* Working
knowledge or experience of the research and/or innovation landscape
in the UK and the science areas and/or communities supported by
NERC.
* Ability to absorb, evaluate and
communicate complex information in language appropriate to the
audience.
* Ability to prioritise, multi-task,
and work to deadlines.
* Ability to work flexibly
on own initiative, as well as contribute well to team
working.
* Demonstrable track record in
influencing effectively (both verbal and written media) across
teams, wider organisation and external stakeholder
communities.
* Effective use of Microsoft Office
applications, e-mail and
internet.
Benefits
* 30
days’ annual leave plus 10.5 public and privilege days
(FTE)
* Outstanding defined benefit pension
scheme
* Flexible working options and hybrid
working
* Employee discounts and wellbeing
initiatives
* Continuous learning and development
opportunities
* A supportive, inclusive, and
forward-thinking work
environment
UKRI is an
Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident
Employer.
How to
Apply
For full details, please
visit our careers site. Please submit an application including
your CV and a Cover
Letter that showcases how your skills and
experience align to the requirements of the
role.
A well thought through application
providing evidence and
examples of how you meet the advertised
essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered
far more favourably than a generic covering letter and
CV.