STFC - Chief Operating Officer

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Role: Chief Operating Officer, STFC

Salary: £91,943 – £99,500 per annum (depending on skills and experience)

Hours: Full time

Contract: Open Ended

Location: Based in Harwell, Didcot; with regular travel to UKRI locations and occasional international travel

Closing date: 20th January 2025 (23:59) Interviews are expected to be held in person on Monday 10 February 2025

Please note, we will have reduced staff during the Christmas period; therefore, any questions related to this role should be emailed to and we will respond as soon as possible.

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).

The Role

As COO, you will report directly to the STFC Executive Chair and play a pivotal role in delivering STFC’s 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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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

What we’re looking for:

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.

Other Key Information:

This role attracts a National Security Vetting clearance (SC), there are further eligibility requirements which can be found here. For the full responsibilities and requirements, please view the Candidate Pack .

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.

We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

For more information about STFC please visit

You can also visit our careers site

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at .

Choosing to come to work at UKRI 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 for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’ .

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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.

Please note, to apply via the UKRI Careers Portal you will receive a notification confirming your profile has successfully been created (if you have not previously set up an account) and a second notification confirming your application for this role has been submitted. If you do not receive the second notification confirming your application for this role has been submitted, or if you experience any other issues applying, please contact , so we can ensure your application has been received.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

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