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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape organisational strategies to enhance people-centred operations.
- Company: Join UKRI, a leader in research and innovation with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 30 days annual leave, and access to a Civil Service pension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on organisational change and drive strategic objectives.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience in organisational design required.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic environment with significant responsibilities.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Salary: £94,931 - £117,800 per annum
Grade: UKRI BandX
Hours: Full time
Location: Swindon (with some travel to London required)
Contract: 2-year fixed term contract (funding dependent, there may be the opportunity to extend this period after a review)
Closing Date: 25 January 2026
Interview Dates: W/C 16 or 23 February 2026
About You
Are you an experienced senior leader with large-scale, complex people and organisational design experience? If so, we encourage you to explore this exciting role, which focuses on shaping and strengthening the organisation’s operating model to enable us to deliver on our mission.
About The Role
The Programme Director role offers a unique opportunity to define and shape the strategy and delivery of key organisational initiatives, bringing the exceptional leadership, capability, and energy needed to progress this important programme of work through a strong people focus.
You will oversee and work closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief People Officer and wider members of the Executive Committee to support in driving an efficient and agile people-centred operating model that will help drive the financial and strategic objectives of UKRI. You will provide leadership and line management for multiple functions and be able to work across professions to harness the data and skills required to ensure success.
The role will provide leadership across large-scale, complex workstreams, with substantial accountability for their overall success. It will require the ability to build and sustain strong relationships and to collaborate with a wide range of senior stakeholders across the organisation, including research councils, centres, institutes, and units.
Your capability and leadership experience will ensure the programme remains on track and meets its goals, working with an ambitious timeframe. Drawing on your experience as a senior budget manager, you will exercise sound financial stewardship and ensure robust governance across the programme.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop and deliver a people-centred operating model from an organisational design perspective, and appropriate governance arrangements including risk and benefits realisation.
- Lead the effective development of a wider people plan that underpins this element of work and collaborate with senior leaders to deliver an overarching plan aligned against the next spending review and beyond.
- Accountable for the successful delivery of people elements relating to organisational change and oversight of the wider change portfolio to enable success and ensure delivery that is well aligned.
- Be responsible for the people change budget (c.£30m in year one) including operational expenditure budget, ensuring that spending is in line with all UKRI policies and processes.
- Significant and complex relationship management relating to organisational change.
Person Specification
Candidates will be assessed against the following essential criteria throughout the recruitment process:
- Qualifications - Educated to degree level OR possess Chartered Membership of CIPD OR have significant experience to deliver organisational design at scale.
- Leadership - Significant senior leadership experience in managing large-scale, complex programmes, with a proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire diverse teams through change, demonstrating credibility and strong influencing skills.
- Stakeholder Management and Influence - Proven ability to work effectively with a complex range of executive and senior stakeholders, including the ability to influence and challenge at Board level. Demonstrates strong communication and persuasive skills in driving outcomes.
- Strategic Leadership and Implementation - Strategic mindset with the ability to translate ideas and policies into actionable plans, delivering results while managing programmes in dynamic, rapidly changing environments. Skilled at ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and adapting to evolving needs.
- Governance, Risk Management, and Process Efficiency - Ability to develop and implement governance frameworks, monitor progress, evaluate risks, and manage large budgets. Successfully balances process efficiency with the need for flexibility and responsiveness.
- Collaboration and Partnership Building - Experience in collaborating with third parties and external partners to deliver joint commitments, while developing and maintaining strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Government - Significant awareness of the workings of government and its partners, with the ability to navigate complex environments while maintaining effective partnerships and delivering on shared goals.
Incentives
- Flexible Working
- 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays
- Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme
- Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider
Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Application Guidance
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.
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.
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.
UKRI Programme Director in Swindon employer: UKRI India
Contact Detail:
UKRI India Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land UKRI Programme Director in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know someone at UKRI. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching UKRI's recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about what we do. Tailor your answers to reflect our mission and values.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR method responses! We want to hear about your past experiences in a structured way. This will help you articulate how your skills align with the Programme Director role and demonstrate your leadership capabilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining the team at UKRI.
We think you need these skills to ace UKRI 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 showcase how your experience aligns with the person specification. Trust us, it makes a difference!
Keep It Concise: Remember, both your CV and cover letter should be no longer than two A4 pages each. Stick to a minimum font size of 11. We want to see your best bits, so make every word count!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for the Programme Director role at UKRI!
Apply Through Our Website: When you’re ready to submit your application, do it through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your documents, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI India
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand UKRI's mission and the specific challenges they face. Research their current projects and initiatives, especially those related to organisational design and people management. This will help you demonstrate your strategic mindset and how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your senior leadership experience, particularly in managing large-scale programmes. Use the STAR method to structure your responses, focusing on how you've led diverse teams through change and influenced stakeholders at a high level.
✨Build Relationships
Emphasise your ability to collaborate and build partnerships. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed relationships with various stakeholders, including executive teams and external partners. This is crucial for the Programme Director role, so have specific examples at hand.
✨Financial Stewardship Matters
Since you'll be responsible for a significant budget, be prepared to discuss your experience in financial management. Highlight how you've ensured compliance with governance frameworks and managed budgets effectively in previous roles. This will show your capability in balancing process efficiency with flexibility.
