ARIA Programme Director

Kings Cross, London (hybrid). This is a full-time role, although we are open to discussing an 80% commitment with exceptional candidates where this would still allow them to fulfil the role effectively.

Early bird application deadline: 07.09.26; final application deadline: 28.09.26.

About ARIA: From climate change to AI, society faces enormous challenges and opportunities that can be uniquely addressed by science and technology. ARIA was created to activate the UK’s world-class R&D in new ways, so we can meet these head on. Our success is shaped by one question: how will ARIA transform the lives of the UK’s future generations? Whether that’s a life‑changing new technology or a burgeoning new industry, it should be obvious that ARIA played a catalytic role. If you want to help make breakthroughs like these possible, come and build ARIA with us.

About The Role: Imagine your version of the future, then create it. That’s what you’ll do as an ARIA Programme Director (PD). Our PDs are scientific and technical leaders with deep expertise across one or more fields, and a focused, creative vision for how science and technology can enable a better future. You’ll join us for three years to launch and actively manage ambitious R&D programmes around your scientific or technical visions within ARIA’s opportunity spaces. You’ll decide which directions matter most, build the communities around them, and fund and direct portfolios of projects to drive towards transformative breakthroughs.

What You’ll Do:

• Design and launch ambitious R&D programmes, each with a budget of around £50 million, within ARIA’s existing opportunity spaces.
• Run extensive discovery across academia, industry, start‑ups, government, non‑profits and the wider R&D ecosystem, spending time in‑person with people across every region and nation of the UK to understand what is possible, what is missing, and where ARIA can have the greatest impact.
• Translate what you learn into one or more focused programmes, each with a clear theory of change, and decide which funding mechanisms are right to maximise their chances of success.
• Select and fund a portfolio of R&D projects across universities, start‑ups, companies, non‑profits and other organisations to unlock breakthroughs and advance the programme's objectives.
• Actively manage and direct your programmes and project portfolios — working closely with Creators, tracking progress against programme goals and using evidence to adapt strategy, redirect funding, scale promising work or stop what is not delivering.
• Create and grow new communities around your programmes’ visions and goals, bringing together talent and ideas in unexpected ways to unlock breakthroughs.

How we'll support you:

• A world‑class operating team built to help ambitious programmes move quickly — from programme design and funding processes through to delivery.
• Dedicated technical and programme support — helping you sharpen your programme theses and manage your portfolios end to end.
• Proven funding mechanisms and operational infrastructure — freeing you to exercise judgement, build communities and get the right work underway.
• Access to ARIA’s networks – across science, technology, government, industry and venture.
• An exceptional community of peers and leaders — your cohort, existing PDs, advisors, mentors and ARIA’s executive team.
• Support from ARIA’s Activation Partners – bringing specialist expertise, tools, facilities and translation support.

Who You Are:

• You see potential within our existing opportunity spaces to design and launch new programmes that deliver societal and economic impact to the UK.
• You believe the UK is the right place to maximise your impact, and you’re committed to spending your time here building the communities, partnerships and programmes needed to advance ARIA’s public‑service mission.
• You’re intrinsically motivated to have an outsized impact on the world and solve a major, meaningful problem.
• You’re deeply technical in at least one field, and open to exploring others.
• You can take a scientific or technical vision from idea to execution.
• You have the imagination and judgement to see where AI capabilities could shift major bottlenecks in technical fields.
• You have worked in a fast‑paced environment, and you're comfortable with uncertainty.
• You can unite others towards ambitious goals, empower people, handle hard conversations, and make difficult decisions.
• You communicate clearly and persuasively with different types of stakeholders.
• You’re resilient and self‑motivated, maintaining momentum and a high quality bar through setbacks.
• You’re highly curious, you find possibilities where others don’t.
• You’re able to spend your time in the UK and show strong commitment to ARIA and public service.
• You have an idea of a set of problems you want to solve.

Eligibility:

• Have significant depth of knowledge and expertise within at least one scientific research, engineering or technology field.
• Bring experience beyond traditional academic research.
• Make ARIA your primary professional focus.
• Be able to travel regularly across the UK – and occasionally abroad.
• Spend a minimum of three days per week at ARIA HQ during the first and third weeks of every month.

If you’re appointed, you must:

• Have, or be able to obtain, the right to work in the UK.
• Successfully complete the required national security vetting.

Benefits:

• 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days.
• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities.
• Enhanced family leave arrangements.
• A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme.
• Life Assurance.
• 2 days of paid volunteer days.
• 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• An excellent office location in Kings X, London.

Note: We’ve carefully considered Programme Director compensation. Aiming to attract diverse career stages, disciplines, and sectors, we offer a competitive package relative to benchmarks, ensuring all Programme Directors feel like equal peers.