Programme Specialist (Consultant) – R&D UK

Pace XL Ltd.; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Programme Specialist to join their dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will oversee the delivery of R&D programmes, working closely with Programme Directors and operational teams. Your expertise in programme and project management will be crucial as you navigate complex projects and foster strong relationships across diverse teams. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to meaningful change in a high-growth consulting firm dedicated to creating thriving environments for clients. If you are passionate about making a difference and thrive in fast-paced settings, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Additional leave for birthday

Annual leave purchase

Private health insurance

Life assurance

Electric car savings

Qualifications

• Strong background in programme or project management with complex projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of R&D programmes and manage stakeholder communications.
• Coordinate projects and support Programme Directors in planning.

Skills

Programme Management

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Communication Skills

Risk Management

Change Management

Event Planning

Tools

Project Management Tools

Job description

Job Title: Programme Specialist (Consultant) – R&D

Location: London, hybrid (3 days per week on site)

Duration: Permanent

Start: May 2025

At Pace, our consultants genuinely care about the impact our work has on our customers and their customers alike. We are ‘problem solvers’ who call on our collective experience, knowledge and skills to support customers to access benefits early.

Our mission is to create environments that thrive for our customers; we enable this by providing transformation, process optimisation, and automation services, all with the aim of enabling our customers to harness human autonomy.

Due to growth of an ongoing engagement, we are recruiting a number of Programme Specialists to join our existing team. The Programme Specialists closely support one of our key customers, a newly formed scientific research funding agency, based in Central London.

Role:

The Programme Specialist will oversee the delivery of R&D programmes on behalf of the client, a newly-established entity focusing on scientific and technological research and development. This role will work closely with the Programme Directors and operational teams to provide ongoing programme management and operational support. The objective of a Programme Specialist is to create an environment that enables the Programme Director to be successful in driving forward and successfully executing their programme.

The Programme Specialist will be the key liaison between the Programme Team, Operational Teams and the Product Team, whilst providing the appropriate level of insight and data into the Project Management Office (PMO) to support overall governance and portfolio management.

Accountabilities of the Programme Specialist will include:

• Programme and project management, including:
  • Coordinating programmes and projects
  • Internal and external stakeholder communications
  • Supporting Programme Directors in planning and timeline management
  • Establishing and maintaining governance
  • Change management
• Work in partnership and develop strong, trusted relationships with the Programme Team (Programme Director and Technical Specialist) to drive the programme through all stages of programme lifecycle – discovery, programme approval, solicitation, contract negotiation, delivery and closure.
• Interface with internal PMO teams and cross-collaborate with operational teams, understanding requirements from wider functions such as procurement, finance and communications.
• Deliver effective and comprehensive RAID management and project reporting.
• Identify and manage risks to the programme and projects.
• Plan, co-ordinate and facilitate stakeholder workshops and events.

Operational Support

• Meeting planning and preparation
• Event and workshop planning
• Interface into R&D and Creator communities

Required skills and experience:

• Strong background in programme or project management, with experience managing complex, high-stakes projects and knowledge of Project Management tools and techniques.
• Ability to balance structure and agility, ensuring that processes support rather than hinder innovation.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to collaborate across diverse teams. Demonstrated experience of influencing key stakeholders across the organisation.
• Excellent engagement skills (including interviewing, facilitating, mediating and presenting).
• A proactive mindset, capable of anticipating challenges and addressing them effectively in a fast-paced environment.

What’s in it for you?

• An opportunity to join a high-growth, scale-up consulting firm; we see an opportunity to make a material difference to how clients are served, and are on a mission to create environments that thrive for our clients.
• A dedicated focus on your individual personal development: managed through annual performance appraisals, individual personal development plans, and our bi-weekly ‘continuous conversations’ programme.
• Additional professional development is available through a personal training budget (subject to approval of a relevant business case).

A competitive salary plus additional benefits including:

• 25 days’ annual leave, plus an additional days’ leave for your birthday.
• Annual leave purchase: buy up to 10 additional days of leave per annum.
• Reservist leave: up to 10 days of paid leave to fulfil reservist commitments.
• Private health insurance.
• AIG life assurance.
• Save 30-60% on an electric car through The Electric Car Scheme.

Your Pace team:

Harnessing Human Autonomy is putting the needs of humans above all in process and system design.

Imagine If… you worked for a business that has integrity at its core, one that truly cares about its People, Corporate Social Responsibility and delivering real value to its customers.

At Pace, we recognise that we are only as good as our people. Apply today to find out about the great things we’re achieving together and the fun we have as a team.