Senior Portfolio Manager in Swindon

Salary: £46,743 per annum. Band: UKRI Band E. Contract Type: Open-Ended. Hours: Full time/ Part time (minimum 0.6 FTE). Location: Polaris House, Swindon - Hybrid Working Available. Closing date: 24 August 2026.

About the role

Working directly with the Head of Economics and the Heads of Social Research you will have responsibility for the effective delivery, management and monitoring of ESRC's refreshed applicant-led mode schemes. Key to the success of ESRC's launch is to deliver a coordinated portfolio of funding opportunities. You will have responsibility for a cluster of research fields within economic and social research where you will build and sustain strong relationships with the research community as well as with relevant government and industry partners. You may be asked to provide line management and professional development for staff at Grades D and C. You will also ensure strong connectivity with relevant UKRI priority programmes and other parts of ESRC's investment portfolio. You will be expected to adopt innovation in funding processes, working to continually identify improved ways of funding and supporting applicant-led research. We are particularly interested in how you work, not just what you have done. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate curiosity, creativity and a strong innovation mentality and who apply what they know in a way that fully aligns with UKRI values.

Your Responsibilities

• Work at the interface between strategic leadership and delivery with effective communication skills to develop and implement key priorities, policies, and strategies.
• Lead the scoping and development, commissioning, and management of high-quality innovation and research investments in applicant-led mode.
• Coordinate and manage a portfolio of activities to maximise impact and knowledge exchange across a portfolio of investments.
• Build and develop strong relationships working across the ESRC, UKRI and external partners to ensure that investments are robust, informed, and impactful.
• Work with others to ensure investments are appropriately managed, monitored, evaluated and their impact communicated.
• Support and deputise for senior staff as required and undertake periodic work on areas outside of the team as needed, supporting the wider work of UKRI.
• Provide inclusive and effective line management.

Personal Specification

Essential

• Relevant degree or equivalent knowledge and skills.
• Experience of managing complex funding or programme portfolios, including strategic prioritisation, investment oversight, and performance monitoring.
• Experience of design and delivery of competitive funding schemes, with a strong understanding of peer review and research funding processes.
• Strong understanding of the social science research and innovation landscape.
• Ability to build and influence senior stakeholder relationships across academia, government, and industry to shape funding proposal pipelines and partnerships.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build relationships both within UKRI and other relevant sectors.
• Demonstrable people management experience.
• Ability to use data, evidence, and insight to inform decision-making, evaluate impact, and drive continuous improvement.
• Willingness to drive innovation in ESRC funding processes.

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. Committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer. Please apply online; if you experience any issue applying, please contact TPBN1_UKTJ.