Strategy, Planning and Communications Officer

Hours: Full time/Part‑time (minimum 22.5 hours per week). We understand the importance of work‑life balance and are happy to discuss flexibility.

Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire or Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire. Other locations may be considered, such as Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington or the UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh.

About the role

Two roles are available, each based in one of three teams within Strategy, Planning and Communications: Strategy, International, and Partnerships and Insight. Each role will work across multiple areas of responsibility within SPC, which may include strategy and planning, strategic stakeholder engagement, monitoring and evaluation, or communications. Each role will be unique and may include a combination of some of the following responsibilities:

• Provide coordination and administrative support across SPC activities, ensuring smooth delivery of programmes, meetings, and directorate workflows.
• Support governance processes, including organising meetings, preparing papers, taking minutes, and tracking actions.
• Assist with developing and maintaining information and document management systems (e.g., SharePoint, internal hubs, resource tools).
• Contribute to the preparation of briefings, presentations, and communications for internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate directorate events, visits, and engagements, managing logistics and supporting materials.
• Support recruitment, training, and other internal processes as required.
• Gather, organise, and share information across teams, helping maintain consistent and accurate records.
• Provide operational support to thematic or programme areas, helping with planning, documentation, and stakeholder coordination.
• Assist in the delivery of directorate‑wide initiatives, improvement projects, and transformation activities.
• Work flexibly to respond to emerging priorities and provide general support across SPC.

Person Specification

• Clear and articulate written and oral communication skills for a range of documents or media to convey information effectively to a range of audiences, engage stakeholders and facilitate productive discussions.
• Understand how activities sit within the wider strategic context, and in turn the ability to prioritise and deliver activities in this context.
• Proactively identify issues and propose clear, practical solutions that keep work aligned with SPC’s priorities.
• Use sound judgement to resolve problems with adaptive thinking and communicate appropriately.
• Strong planning and organisational skills with attention to detail, accuracy, and execution; thoroughness and precision in all aspects of work; able to prioritise conflicting tasks at short notice to meet organisational priorities.
• Effective team player who demonstrates a strong commitment to working with others; able to develop relationships and networks with a range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Benefits

We offer flexible working arrangements, including remote working. The post is available as full time, part‑time or job‑share. The post holder will be encouraged to work across all STFC sites, with significant time at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Harwell, Oxfordshire) and Polaris House (Swindon, Wiltshire). Depending on location, there may be occasional travel with costs covered by STFC. STFC values its employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance, including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, an exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies, and a subsidised restaurant.