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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Clean Energy and Growth Programme, shaping strategies for a sustainable future.
- Company: Join UK Research and Innovation, a leader in research and innovation funding.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 30 days annual leave, and access to a Civil Service pension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's net-zero ambitions and drive innovative clean energy solutions.
- Qualifications: Extensive leadership experience in multi-disciplinary programmes and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Overview
Programme Director for Clean Energy and Growth
COUNCIL: NERC
BASE LOCATION: Swindon with travel to other locations
CONTRACT TYPE: Open Ended (Permanent)
HOURS: Full or Part Time (Min 0.8 FTE)
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Travel to other locations in the UK will be required
CLOSING DATE: 29 March 2026 (We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications)
ABOUT UKRI
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is an independent, non-departmental public body, which invests £8bn per annum in research and innovation. We bring together nine executive council partners (the seven Research Councils, plus Innovate UK, and Research England) with a shared vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. UKRI also provides coordinated strategic advice to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on the balance of funding between research disciplines. We employ 8,000 staff who support 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 and work collaboratively with industry, academia, and government in exciting partnerships. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through blue skies research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research and business-led innovation.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As Programme Director, Clean Energy and Growth, your systems view will shape UKRI’s contribution to the Governments Clean Energy sector plan and the UK’s broader net-zero ambitions. You will provide clear and authoritative insight into this complex and competitive field, enabling informed research and innovation investments that attract industry leverage and maximise the economic and societal benefits of the clean energy transition.
Reporting to the Senior Responsible Owner for the Clean Energy and Growth, you will:
- Provide strategic leadership of this programme area across UKRI, ensuring coherent and high-impact investments that advance national research and innovation priorities.
- Work in close partnership with other Programme Directors across Industrial Strategy sectors, shaping cross-cutting initiatives where environmental and engineering sciences intersect with digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, financial services, and national security.
- Build and maintain trusted, high-level relationships across government, academia, and industry, navigating diverse and competing perspectives to deliver authoritative, evidence-based decisions.
ABOUT YOU
You will already be an accomplished leader with the credibility to operate at senior levels across research, innovation, and public-sector organisations. To succeed in this role, you will bring substantial senior leadership experience in delivering major, multi-disciplinary programmes or portfolios with clear accountability for outcomes at a Programme Director or similar level. You will be confident in shaping programme strategy and securing approval from the highest levels of stakeholder governance. You will have a track record of designing delivery approaches for multi-faceted programmes, and of operationalising systems-wide approaches that recognise and manage their interdependencies. You will have demonstrable experience in hands-on programme management, including designing and leading delivery models, risk management, benefits realisation, and governance - demonstrating ownership and providing active leadership to ensure objectives, outputs and outcomes are achieved within agreed time and cost parameters. You will excel at building relationships and working collaboratively with senior stakeholders across academia, government, and industry. A key part of the role is facilitating effective, inclusive partnerships and navigating multiple or conflicting stakeholder views - confidently defending your position where necessary, while working constructively toward defendable outcomes. You will bring a proven record of leading high-performing teams, including matrixed or cross-organisational teams, with the ability to inspire, motivate and guide colleagues. You will have a collaborative, inclusive and transparent leadership style, uniting colleagues around a shared understanding, common purpose, and a clear commitment to delivering robust programme outcomes at pace and scale.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the development and effective implementation of the Clean Energy and Growth Programme strategy, with the SRO.
- Design and launch the Programme operating model, and appropriate governance arrangements including risk and benefits realisation.
- Be accountable for the successful delivery of the Programme as per the scope, outcomes and benefits agreed with the SRO.
- Lead external stakeholder engagement, facilitating support and partnerships for programme activities, including with government, domain experts, and industry in the net zero research and innovation landscape.
- Manage the programme budget of £202m over the spending review period 26/27-29/30 including operational expenditure budget, ensuring compliance with UKRI policies and processes.
- Relationship management between the Programme, UKRI Councils, UKRI Executive Committee and UKRI Board.
- Broker effective collaboration across UKRI councils and with external partners to strengthen the UK environmental science and engineering ecosystem and accelerate societal impact and the contribution of the sector to growth.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
- Extensive leadership experience delivering multi-faceted programmes at scale, including cross-organisational initiatives, with a proven ability to drive coherence, alignment, and impact across organisational boundaries.
- Strong credibility with the R&I community: a PhD qualification or equivalent research and innovation experience, and recognised expertise that commands senior stakeholder confidence.
- Strategic thinker able to shape long-term opportunities, translate government net zero priorities into actionable system-wide plans at pace, and deliver measurable results that advance national objectives.
- Demonstrable capability in designing and implementing robust governance, assurance, and performance frameworks, including programme evaluation, risk management, and the stewardship of significant public budgets.
- Evidence of extensive, high-level stakeholder networks and the ability to influence across complex and diverse environments, including effective engagement with senior government bodies and industry leaders.
- Deep understanding across the environmental and engineering sciences innovation pipeline including the scientific, technological, and commercial challenges accelerating the transition to net zero and translating research into real world impact.
INCENTIVES
- Flexible Working
- 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays
- Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme
- Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider
APPLICATION GUIDANCE
How to evidence the criteria: We encourage you to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in your cover letter to clearly demonstrate how your experience meets each of the ‘person specification’ criteria outlined in the job description. For examples of the STAR method, please visit: The STAR method | National Careers Service.
Please ensure your CV and cover letter are no longer than two A4 pages each, using a minimum font size of 11. Once submitted, your application cannot be edited via our careers website; however, if you encounter any issues or need to update your documents, please contact us at seniorrecruitment@ukri.org.
OTHER INFORMATION
If you’d like to have an informal chat about the role before applying, you’re welcome to get in touch with us at seniorrecruitment@ukri.org.
Programme Director in Swindon employer: NERC: Natural Environment Research Council
Contact Detail:
NERC: Natural Environment Research Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Director in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to UKRI or the clean energy sector. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching UKRI’s current projects and initiatives. Show us you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about our mission. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with our goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR method storytelling! We want to hear about your past experiences in a way that clearly demonstrates your skills and achievements. This will help us see how you can contribute to our clean energy ambitions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t hesitate to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, if you have any questions, drop us an email at seniorrecruitment@ukri.org for a friendly chat before you hit that submit button.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Director in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know the STAR Method: Before you start writing, familiarise yourself with the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It’s a great way to structure your cover letter and show us how your experience aligns with the role. Trust us, it makes your application stand out!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Highlight your leadership experience and how it relates to clean energy and growth. We want to see how you can bring value to our team, so be specific!
Keep It Concise: Remember, both your CV and cover letter should be no longer than two A4 pages each. Use a minimum font size of 11. We appreciate clarity and brevity, so get straight to the point while showcasing your achievements.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our careers website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your documents properly. If you have any issues, just drop us an email at seniorrecruitment@ukri.org.
How to prepare for a job interview at NERC: Natural Environment Research Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Clean Energy sector and UKRI's role in it. Brush up on recent developments, government policies, and key players in the field. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Use the STAR Method
When discussing your past experiences, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you clearly demonstrate how you've successfully led multi-disciplinary programmes and managed stakeholder relationships in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and how it fosters collaboration and inclusivity. Share examples of how you've motivated teams and navigated conflicting perspectives to achieve programme objectives, as this is crucial for the Programme Director role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the organisation's values align with yours. Consider asking about their current challenges in the Clean Energy sector or how they measure success in their programmes.