Chief Meteorologist in Exeter

We’re looking for an exceptional Chief Meteorologist to help us make a difference to our planet.

As our Chief Meteorologist, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work.

Our people are at the heart of what we do and we’ll do our best to agree on a working pattern that works for everyone.

World changing work

From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are.

• We’re a force for good – focusing on our environmental and social impact
• We’re experts by nature – always learning and developing to do things better
• We live and breathe it – putting our purpose at the heart of decision‑making
• We’re better together – understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater
• We keep evolving – pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

Your world of expertise

As the most senior Operational Meteorology role, the Chief Meteorologist will provide intellectual leadership, vision and advocacy for the Operational Meteorology profession, and will be the Met Office’s lead expert on weather matters to government, international organisations, the media, partners and customers.

• Shaping and articulating the future vision for Operational Meteorology as part of organisational strategy.
• Acting as the lead Met Office representative in Operational Meteorology externally both nationally and internationally.
• Representing Operational Meteorology with the Principal Fellow community and across the Met Office to inform and aid delivery of R&I strategy.
• Proactively develop the skills and experience of operational meteorology experts to maintain and grow a pool of broadly skilled staff that can facilitate innovation.
• Developing and maintaining Met Office influence within the UK and internationally.
• Providing leadership and support to operational teams and senior leaders around high‑profile weather events.

Our work is life‑changing, often life‑saving and always life‑enhancing. The Met Office is Great Place to Work UK certified.

Total reward package

• An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days after 5 years, option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year.

Essential Criteria, skills and experience

• Be internationally recognised as a leading expert in operational meteorology, with evidence of leading, shaping and delivering major advancements in this field aligned to Met Office and UK strategic aims.
• Be an exceptional communicator, understood and trusted by a wide range of technical and non‑technical audiences, including at the highest levels within Government, often in high‑profile and high‑pressure circumstances.
• Have a track record of successful customer‑focused service delivery, with proven ability to successfully lead, motivate and build consensus among large and diverse groups to achieve transformational outcomes.
• Be a role model for the profession, articulating vision, inspiring and developing others and enabling innovation.

Additionally, it is essential that you are able to achieve Developed Vetting within 6 months of commencing the role. Though this is not an operational or on‑call role, the job holder may be required to occasionally work abnormal/unsociable hours, and to travel within the UK and internationally in support of Met Office activities.

How to apply

If you share our values, we’d love to hear from you! Click apply to begin your application. Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills.

Closing date 12/11/2025 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from week commencing 1st December. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.

Using AI in your application

We welcome applications that use AI tools for support in drafting or refining, as long as they accurately reflect your own skills and experience. All hiring decisions at the Met Office are made by people, not AI. For more details, visit our approach to recruitment.

How we can help

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at careers@metoffice.gov.uk.

Equal opportunity

We understand that great minds don’t always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.

Security clearance

We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK. We require Developed Vetting security clearance for this role; you must reside in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years, with 2 of those years immediately preceding application time, and achieve Developed Vetting within the first 6 months with us.

Lifestyle support

Whether you wish to utilise our excellent family‑friendly schemes, be paid up to 3 days for volunteering, have the reassurance of a generous sickness pay scheme or be part of an organisation that is happy to proactively talk about flexible working, the Met Office wants you to have a great work and lifestyle balance.

Established hybrid working

We have bases all over the UK, some roles allow for you to work abroad, so there is the option to travel for work. We have hybrid working practices across all of our offices, enhanced technology to enable office and home‑based meetings, and various working patterns in place.

Investing in your development

The world around us is constantly changing. New technologies, shifting climate patterns, artificial intelligence. These factors shape the need for us to develop our skills. Our investment in learning and development is testament to this and we partner with external bodies to help shape the way we develop talent across the Met Office.

Our typical recruitment process

• Application – apply through our careers website and evidence essential criteria.
• Screening – sift panel assesses all applications; process takes 1‑2 weeks after closing.
• Interview – single‑stage interview, may be virtual or in‑person, focusing on competency and values.
• Assessment – some roles may require attending an assessment day.
• Offer – successful candidates receive an offer letter and onboarding details.
• Onboarding – complete security clearance and reference checks; then start day.