Strategy Manager (maternity cover)

Salary: £45,272 per annum

Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 0.6 hours per week)

Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months)

Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire OR Science and Technology Facilities Council, Polaris House, Wiltshire

About the role

As part of the Strategy Team the post holder will play an important role enabling the development and delivery of STFC’s strategic plans. They will need to develop and build effective working relationships at senior level across STFC and with colleagues across UKRI. The role requires the ability to think and work strategically but also be comfortable getting into the detail in specific areas when necessary. It combines a mix of activities with long and short turn-around times, plus the opportunity to contribute to a variety of work across STFC’s broad remit.

Specific areas of work include:

• Supporting the coordination and development of STFC’s input to UKRI Spending Review bids and contribute to the preparation of other funding cases, as necessary;
• Manage the development and monitoring of STFC’s Strategic Delivery Plan and associated strategic plans, aligning activity across the organisation with wider UKRI and cross-government objectives;
• Developing and continuously improving STFC’s strategic planning processes, including progress monitoring and reporting;
• Leading or supporting the development of cross-cutting science and technology strategies, working with experts across STFC/UKRI;
• Collaborating with colleagues across UKRI to support cross-UKRI strategic planning;
• Supporting or leading time-limited projects relevant to the broader Directorate (for example cross-STFC/UKRI projects).

Person Specification

The criteria below will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I):

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with keen attention to detail;
• Ability to develop and deliver well-structured, clearly-articulated professional documents and presentations for a range of internal and external audiences (S&I);
• Proficient at developing, influencing and executing strategic plans with sound judgement;
• Able to set priorities, allocate resources and drive initiatives aligned with organisational goals (S&I);
• Demonstrate the ability to make well informed decisions, seek opportunities, and articulate a vision to others;
• Provide direction and motivation and lead in the delivery of complex activities and/or team responsibilities including with external stakeholders (S&I);
• Ability to plan and prioritise work and that of others to implement frameworks or new procedures to deliver successful outcomes;
• Respond flexibly to changing requirements as required (S&I);
• Capable of working collaboratively to identify challenges, develop creative solutions and implement changes within a team setting;
• Able to lead the successful delivery of activities internally and externally (S&I).

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another. STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

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 and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.