UK Research and Innovation
Chief of Operational Delivery, UKRI
Salary: £110,000 to £120,000 per annum (depending on skills and experience)
Hours: Full time
Contract: Open Ended; secondees and transfers welcome. Job shares also considered.
Location: Swindon, Wiltshire - hybrid working available with regular travel across
UKRI offices.
Closing: Sunday 30th March 2025 (23:59)
Interviews: Expected to be held in person w/c Monday 14th April at our London office.
About UKRI
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the UK's primary research and innovation agency, investing nearly £9bn per year. We are internationally outstanding in bringing together all fields of research, a national agency for innovation, and university research and knowledge exchange into a single funding body.
The Role
The Chief of Operational Delivery is an executive leadership role at UKRI, responsible for overseeing operational management across various functions. Reporting to the Chief Finance Officer, this role involves close collaboration with the Executive and Operational Leadership Team to achieve strategic goals and drive operational efficiency. The Chief of Operational Delivery will lead critical initiatives, develop and implement operational strategies, and contribute to the overall success of UKRI.
Key Responsibilities:
* Deputise for the CFO and lead the People, Finance, and Operations Committee.
* Drive high performance across pan-UKRI operations and ensure effective integration of operational functions.
* Develop and implement frameworks for measuring and reporting operational performance.
* Oversee funding services, commercial services, and estates, ensuring they align with strategic objectives.
* Lead teams in areas such as security, resilience, health and safety, and sustainability.
* Manage a £15 million budget and lead a team of 135 FTEs, ensuring resource allocation and efficiency.
* Provide leadership in business continuity and incident response.
* Influence the strategic direction of UK SBS and ensure alignment with operational priorities.
* Foster a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
What We're Looking For:
* Strategic leadership experience in managing large, complex operations.
* Strong commercial, financial, and budget management skills.
* Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate high-performing teams.
* Ability to manage stakeholder relationships and make decisions under pressure.
* Experience in driving organisational change and innovation.
* Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data.
* Knowledge of governance, legal, and regulatory compliance.
For the full responsibilities and requirements, please download the candidate pack here: UKRI Chief Of Operational Delivery - Candidate Pack
About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org .
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
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. For further information, please visit ' How we support EDI in the workforce '.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided 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. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded.
Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter/statement of suitability and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application/the careers portal.
Should you have any problem with submitting your application via the UKRI Careers Portal, please do send an email to SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org and a member of our team will then be in touch.
Please note, to apply via the UKRI Careers Portal you will receive a notification confirming your profile has successfully been created (if you have not previously set up an account) and a second notification confirming your application for this role has been submitted. If you do not receive the second notification confirming your application for this role has been submitted, please contact SeniorRecruitment@ukri.org, so we can ensure your application has been received.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
Additional Information
* Organisation: UKRI - Operations Directorate
* Contract Type: Open Ended
* External Closing Date: Mar 30, 2025
* Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 110,000
* Hours: Full-time