Non-Executive NGI Programme Board Member

The John Innes Centre; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 5,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading research institute in Norwich is seeking an Independent Non-Executive Member for its NGI Programme Board. This role involves overseeing a significant £400m investment programme aimed at creating world-class facilities. The successful candidate will bring governance, leadership experience, and strategic thinking, contributing to the management of major infrastructure projects in an academic environment. This position allows for remote participation, with periodic in-person meetings expected.

Benefits

Honorarium of £5,000 per annum

Expenses paid

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in governance, leadership and/or senior management.
• Knowledge of best practices in procurement, governance, and assurance.
• Experience in enabling business change for improved efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Support the NGI Programme Board in overseeing a £400m programme.
• Ensure governance and challenge in major public sector programme delivery.

Skills

Governance and leadership experience

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Knowledge of procurement and risk management

Experience in business change

Education

Qualifications in a relevant profession

Job description

Job Title Non-Executive NGI Programme Board Member Post Number 1005020 Closing Date 1 Feb 2026

Hours per week 0 Months Duration 36

Job Description

Main Purpose of the Job

Independent non-executive Member of the Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI) Programme Board who has experience of delivering major change programmes. The NGI Board reports to JIC Governing Council.

Key Relationships

The John Innes Centre’s Governing Council is responsible for oversight of the management and administration of JIC’s income and expenditure, assets and liabilities.

The NGI Programme Board is accountable to JIC Governing Council and principal stakeholders, including BBSRC/UKRI, for the successful delivery of the objectives outlined in the Outline Business Case.

Person Profile

Education & Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in governance, leadership and/ or senior management (Essential)
• Suitable qualifications from one of the professions/disciplines normally associated with a major infrastructure programme of change (Essential)
• Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge and experience of best practice with respect to procurement, management of risks, governance and assurance (Essential)
• Ability to think strategically and independently (Essential)
• Understanding of charity law and regulatory requirements (Desirable)
• Experience of enabling business change involving new ways of working to improve efficiencies and outcomes and realisation of benefits (Essential)
• Experience of major programme delivery where phased construction of infrastructure is a large component (Essential)
• Experienced of change with similar facilities from within the higher education sector (Desirable)
• Previous involvement of working within the science sector (Desirable)
• Experience of finance and project controls (Desirable)

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

• Excellent communication and interpretation skills (Essential)
• Commitment to our mission and values (Essential)

Additional Requirements

• Attention to detail (Essential)
• Promotes equality and values diversity (Essential)
• Appreciation of working in and around a fully operational sites whilst keeping business as usual working with minimum disruption where possible (Desirable)

Who We Are

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society.

Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.

We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on [phone] or [e-mail].

We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award , recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme , a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).

Department

Directorate

The Next Generation Infrastructure is an ambitious programme to create world-class facilities for the John Innes Centre (JIC) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) at the heart of the Norwich Research Park. This supports the two research institutes to further their Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet vision by enabling cutting edge scientific discoveries and foster new collaborations to tackle globally significant challenges.

The most significant piece of construction in the NGI programme is the new laboratory and support infrastructure that will house all JIC and TSL researchers under one roof in a flexible, modern workplace that enables the cutting-edge research of the institutes. This new building will engage with its surroundings, be outward looking and provide training, teaching and learning spaces to support the research. This workplace will provide a diverse set of facilities that will attract collaborators, staff, and visitors to ensure the building acts as a hub for plant and microbial science in the UK.

The objectives of the investment are to:

• Create a world-leading hub with state-of-the-art facilities which will harness the collaborative environment of the Norwich Research Park and create a unique asset for UK science in line with the UK Plant Science Research Strategy.
• Connect a critical mass of research and technical expertise under one roof. Improving connectivity across the NRP.
• Create an inspiring work environment.
• The hub will attract the world’s best scientists and new businesses to Norwich, fostering interactions and catalysing new initiatives to ensure the UK remains a partner of choice for collaboration. Inspiring the next generation of researchers, innovators and technical experts.
• Deliver a Net Zero Carbon solution based on the latest low carbon design technology.

The John Innes Centre is an independent, world-leading centre of excellence in plant science, genetics and microbiology located on the Norwich Research Park. JIC performs cutting-edge, high-quality fundamental, strategic and applied research and is one of eight BBSRC strategically funded Research Institutes. You can read more about us here.

We are looking to appoint an Independent Member for our Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI) Programme Board with significant experience in management of change involving major capital infrastructure investment and business change designed to enable the delivery of benefits. It may be advantageous for candidates to have recent experience as a member of an executive or non-executive board or committee and experience of successful leadership in an academic, research or commercial environment.

The role

The successful candidate will support the NGI Programme Board in overseeing the delivery of a c. £400m programme of investment comprising phased roll-out of infrastructure renewal and refurbishment across its campus on the Norwich Research Park (NRP). The investment aims to improve sustainability of the infrastructure and deliver defined benefits through improved business activities.

This role will bring the NGI Programme Board specific expertise in major public sector programme delivery with a view to ensuring good governance and appropriate challenge.

Delivering the NGI vision

The Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI) programme will deliver world-class facilities for the John Innes Centre (JIC) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) at the Norwich Research Park, supporting their Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet vision. Central to the programme is a new laboratory and support building that brings all JIC and TSL researchers together in a flexible, modern workplace designed to enable cutting-edge research, training, and collaboration. The building will be outward-looking, well-integrated with its surroundings, and act as a national hub for plant and microbial science, attracting collaborators, staff, and visitors.

The objectives of the investment are to:

• Create a world-leading hub with state-of-the-art facilities which will harness the collaborative environment of the Norwich Research Park and create a unique asset for UK science in line with the UK Plant Science Research Strategy.
• Connect a critical mass of research and technical expertise under one roof. Improving connectivity across the NRP.
• Create an inspiring work environment.
• The hub will attract the world’s best scientists and new businesses to Norwich, fostering interactions and catalysing new initiatives to ensure the UK remains a partner of choice for collaboration. Inspiring the next generation of researchers, innovators and technical experts.
• Deliver a Net Zero Carbon solution based on the latest low carbon design technology.

The ideal post holder

The NGI Programme Board currently comprises senior executives of JIC (John Innes Centre), TSL (The Sainsbury Laboratory) and EI (Earlham Institute), together with an independent non-executive member of JIC Governing Council as Chair. Additionally, a senior representative of BBSRC/UKRI as the principal funder is also a member of the NGI Programme Board.

The appointed member is expected to:

• Help ensure the NGI Programme Board operates efficiently, effectively, and in line with public and charitable responsibilities.
• Contribute constructively to discussions and share relevant expertise as needed.
• Comply with all legislation and ensure alignment with JIC Governing Council rules and guidance.
• Apply skills and experience to decision-making and actively participate in Board responsibilities.
• Represent JIC to key stakeholders.

Additional information

The postholder will commit approximately 8 - 12 days per year including attending Programme Board meetings every other month on site in Norwich. The term of the appointment is for a minimum of three years, with the possibility of serving a second term subject to approval.

The role can be carried out remotely; however, it would be desirable where possible to attend in-person Programme Board meetings on location in Norwich. These are scheduled on a two-monthly basis.

Remuneration

Honorarium of £5,000 per annum. Expenses will be paid.

Application information

If you believe you can make a significant contribution to the governance and development of one of the world’s most renowned research institutes and can give the necessary commitment, please submit your CV and a personal statement via our website by 1 February 2026.

We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.