UKRI Programme Director

UKRI; Swindon; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization based in Swindon is seeking an experienced Programme Director to define and shape organizational strategy. This role involves overseeing complex change initiatives while working closely with senior stakeholders. The successful candidate will bring expertise in leadership and stakeholder management, ensuring that projects are delivered effectively and align with strategic goals. The position offers a 2-year contract with opportunities to extend and includes flexible working, generous leave, and other incentives.

Benefits

Flexible Working

30 days annual leave + Public Holidays

Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme

Discounts through dedicated provider

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in managing complex programmes.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire diverse teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and shape strategy for key organisational initiatives.
• Oversee large-scale change and people-centred operating model.
• Lead multiple functions and ensure successful delivery of projects.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Strategic Thinking

Collaboration

Governance

Education

Degree or Chartered Membership of CIPD

Job description

LOCATION: Swindon (with some travel to London required)

CONTRACT:2-year fixed term contract (funding dependent, there may be the opportunity to extend this period after a review)

CLOSING DATE: 25 January 2026

INTERVIEW DATES:W/C 16 or 23 February 2026

ABOUT YOU

Are you an experienced senior leader with large-scale, complex people and organisational design experience? If so, we encourage you to explore this exciting role, which focuses on shaping and strengthening the organisation’s operating model to enable us to deliver on our mission.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Programme Director role offers a unique opportunity to define and shape the strategy and delivery of key organisational initiatives, bringing the exceptional leadership, capability, and energy needed to progress this important programme of work through a strong people focus.

You will oversee and work closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief People Officer and wider members of the Executive Committee to support in driving an efficient and agile people-centred operating model that way that will help drive the financial and strategic objectives of UKRI. You will provide leadership and line management for multiple functions and be able to work across professions to harness the data and skills required to ensure success.

The role will provide leadership across large-scale, complex workstreams, with substantial accountability for their overall success. It will require the ability to build and sustain strong relationships and to collaborate with a wide range of senior stakeholders across the organisation, including research councils, centres, institutes, and units.

Your capability and leadership experience will ensure the programme remains on track and meets its goals, working with an ambitious timeframe. Drawing on your experience as a senior budget manager, you will exercise sound financial stewardship and ensure robust governance across the programme.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, develop and deliver a people-centred operating model from an organisational design perspective, and appropriate governance arrangements including risk and benefits realisation.
• Lead the effective development of a wider people plan that underpins this element of work and collaborate with senior leaders to deliver an overarching plan aligned against the next spending review and beyond.
• Accountable for the successful delivery of people elements relating to organisational change and oversight of the wider change portfolio to enable success and ensure delivery that is well aligned.
• Be responsible for the people change budget (c.£30m in year one) including operational expenditure budget, ensuring that spending is in line with all UKRI policies and processes.
• Significant and complex relationship management relating to organisational change.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Candidates will be assessed against the following essential criteria throughout the recruitment process:

(S) – Assessed at shortlisting

(I) – Assessed at interview

(S&I) –Assessed at shortlisting&interview

• Qualifications - Educated to degree level OR possess Chartered Membership of CIPD OR have significant experience to deliver organisational design at scale. (S)
• Leadership - Significant senior leadership experience in managing large-scale, complex programmes, with a proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire diverse teams through change, demonstrating credibility and strong influencing skills. (S&I)
• Stakeholder Management and Influence - Proven ability to work effectively with a complex range of executive and senior stakeholders, including the ability to influence and challenge at Board level. Demonstrates strong communication and persuasive skills in driving outcomes. (S)
• Strategic Leadership and Implementation - Strategic mindset with the ability to translate ideas and policies into actionable plans, delivering results while managing programmes in dynamic, rapidly changing environments. Skilled at ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and adapting to evolving needs. (I)
• Governance, Risk Management, and Process Efficiency - Ability to develop and implement governance frameworks, monitor progress, evaluate risks, and manage large budgets. Successfully balances process efficiency with the need for flexibility and responsiveness. (S&I)
• Collaboration and Partnership Building - Experience in collaborating with third parties and external partners to deliver joint commitments, while developing and maintaining strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders (I)
• Government- Significant awareness of the workings of government and its partners, with the ability to navigate complex environments while maintaining effective partnerships and delivering on shared goals. (S)

INCENTIVES

UKRI can offer the successful candidate:

- Flexible Working

- 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays

- Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme

- Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider

We encourage you to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in your cover letter to clearly demonstrate how your experience meets each of the ‘person specification’ criteria outlined in the job description. For examples of the STAR method, please visit: The STAR method | National Careers Service .

Please ensure your CV and cover letter are no longer than two A4 pages each, using a minimum font size of 11. Oncesubmitted, your application cannot be edited via ourcareerswebsite; however, if youencounterany issues or need to update your documents, please contact us at [e-mail] .

OTHER INFORMATION

Ifyou'dlike to have an informal chat about the role before applying, you're welcome toget in touch withus at [e-mail] .