Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Based in Harwell, Didcot; with regular travel to UKRI locations and occasional international travel About the job Job summary Are you an inspiring leader with a drive for innovation and a commitment to operational excellence? STFC invites you to help shape the future of research and innovation as Chief Operating Officer (COO). About STFC The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is one of Europes largest multidisciplinary research organisations with a budget of over £700m per annum. We combine world-class facilities including the ISIS pulsed neutron and muon source and the Vulcan Petawatt Laser, with support for major high-profile international science activities, such as the UKs participation in CERN and the Diamond Light Source. We also operate important technology centres including the Hartree Centre, RAL Space and the National Satellite Test Facility, run by some of the worlds most talented staff, operating at the frontiers of advanced science and technology. With sites including the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) at the Harwell campus in Oxfordshire, the Daresbury Laboratory at the Sci-Tech Daresbury campus in Cheshire, and the UK Astronomy Technology Centre in Edinburgh, which are developing communities of innovative businesses working within the research programmes, STFC is positioned to deliver advance scientific understanding and generate a remarkable variety of real-world benefits which shape societies and transform lives. STFC is one of nine organisations that have been brought together to create UK Research and Innovation (UKRI); formed in 2018 to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. The Role As COO, you will report directly to the STFC Executive Chair and play a pivotal role in delivering STFCs mission within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This executive leadership position oversees key corporate functions, including: Business Continuity & Risk Management Digital Infrastructure Environmental Sustainability Estates, which include 123 buildings and covers 180 acres over 5 sites Health and Safety Continuous Improvement You will serve as a trusted partner to UKRI corporate functions such as Finance, HR, Legal, and Procurement, ensuring STFC receives high-quality support while leading the strategic alignment of operations to the UKRI strategy. Job description Strategic oversight of support services - Direct management of Business Continuity, Digital Infrastructure, Environmental Sustainability, Estates, Health & Safety, and Continuous Improvement. Indirect oversight of core functions - Indirect responsibility for HR, Finance, Governance/Legal, Assurance, Risk, Information (GARI), and Procurement. Leadership and governance - Act as a visible leader within the STFC Executive Board, champion corporate governance, and ensure alignment with UKRI strategy and statutory obligations. Transformation and strategy alignment - Support the Executive Chair in transforming STFC to align with UKRI's strategic vision. Corporate collaboration - Work with Executive Directors to drive people performance, strengthen strategic relationships, and maximise science and industry impact. Continuous improvement - Champion organisational design, simplification, and harmonisation to enhance delivery capability and efficiency. Finance and procurement - Ensure financial controls and significant procurement processes align with UKRI policies and public finance standards. Safety, health, and environment - Lead SHE initiatives to maintain a safe working environment and drive sustainability goals, including achieving Net Zero by 2040. Estates and facilities management - Oversee strategic planning for estates services, infrastructure, and space management to ensure fit-for-purpose facilities. Stakeholder engagement - Build strong relationships across STFC, UKRI, and external stakeholders to support organisational goals through influence and collaboration. Person specification An experienced and inspirational leader, with: A degree in Business or equivalent significant experience (professional qualifications in financial or project management are desirable). Proven experience of working with Boards at a senior level with diverse internal and external stakeholders Proven success in delivering organisational change and leading corporate services at a senior level. Strategic vision with the ability to translate goals into actionable outcomes. First-class communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills. Experience in the research and innovation sector or public sector is desirable. This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, operational expertise, and the ability to lead diverse, multidisciplinary teams. You must be able to travel within the UK and occasionally abroad. For the full responsibilities and requirements, please visit our Careers Portal for the Candidate Pack. Benefits Alongside your salary of £91,943, UK Research and Innovation contributes £26,635 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Choosing to come to work at STFC 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 at STFC. Things you need to know Selection process details This role attracts a National Security Vetting clearance (SC), there are further eligibility requirements, for further details at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/united-kingdom-security-vetting Applicants are required to provide an up-to-date CV and a statement of suitability outlining their suitability for the role against the required criteria. Please click apply for further information and to visit our careers page. UKRI is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are open to flexible working arrangements, including job share and secondment opportunities. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : UKRI Senior Recruitment Team Email : SeniorRecruitmentukri.org Recruitment team Email : SeniorRecruitmentukri.org Apply at advertiser's site Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail