At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead programme operations for the UKRI Life Sciences Industrial Strategy programme and manage a dynamic team.
- Company: Join the Medical Research Council, a leader in life sciences research and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of continuous learning and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-profile projects that shape government and societal priorities.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex life sciences programmes and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 58589 - 58589 £ per year.
To lead programme operations for the UKRI Life Sciences Industrial Strategy programme. As Head of Programme Operations, you will work across UKRI to support the organisations mission to deliver strategic government and societal priorities through the Life Sciences programme. You will be line managed by the Programme Director for the Life Sciences programme and will lead a small team. You will work closely with MRC teams and life sciences teams from across UKRI.
Each IS8 programme delivers a portfolio of investments and interventions through councils and Innovate UK teams. Your role will be the strategic and operational coordination across these delivery teams, to support the design, delivery and performance of the Life Sciences programme. You will lead on programme governance, monitoring and evaluation, risk and assurance, finance, and secretariat functions. You will operate confidently across a complex, multi-organisation environment, building and maintaining strong working relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual to support the development and delivery of a portfolio of high-profile projects that will address government and societal priorities in the life sciences.
Key Responsibilities
- Line management of delivery team members.
- Working with the programme director to establish and maintain portfolio governance structures.
- Support the strategic development and delivery of the Life Sciences programme across UKRI.
- Managing the secretariat for the Life Sciences Programme Boards/meetings and supporting the programme director and SRO with paperwork and briefings.
- Leading and/or supporting the development of business cases for the programme.
- Lead the successful design, management and delivery of the programme including:
- Alignment of projects with objectives
- Real time progress monitoring
- Risk management
- Reporting
- Monitoring, evaluation and impact management
- Benefits realisation
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with key contacts across UKRI's other relevant priority programmes and external stakeholders from government departments, industry and medical research funders.
- Planning, scheduling and securing resources for delivery of the programme, working with Council and Innovate UK operations teams.
- Maintaining overall coherence of programme and governance frameworks to support projects and plan programme assurance activities.
- Matrix working with delivery teams across UKRI to ensure dependencies are actively managed, act as an arbiter to resolve issues across the programme.
- Ensuring delivery within budget and working with the finance business partner teams to hit spend profiles.
About you / Personal Specification
- Portfolio, programme and project management experience alongside relevant qualifications.
- Experience in managing complex, multistakeholder life sciences R&D programmes and portfolios.
- Strong understanding of programme governance, risk management, and benefits realisation.
- Understanding of UK Government Green, Teal and Magenta Books.
- The ability to build influential networks and experience in managing relationships across a broad range of stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.
- The ability to foster collaboration and resolve conflicts.
- Experience of leading teams and mentoring staff.
- An understanding of financial management, including cost control, and financial forecasting and reporting.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- A degree or PhD in health and life sciences or equivalent experience working in life sciences research management.
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
- An outstanding defined salary pension scheme.
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
- Flexible working options.
- Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
Head of Programme Operations - IS8 Life Sciences employer: UKRI
As a leading employer in the life sciences sector, the Medical Research Council offers a dynamic and supportive work environment at Polaris House in Swindon, where flexible and hybrid working options are available. Employees benefit from a comprehensive rewards package, including a generous pension scheme, 30 days of annual leave, and numerous professional development opportunities, fostering a culture of continuous learning and collaboration. Join us to make a meaningful impact on government and societal priorities while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Programme Operations - IS8 Life Sciences
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like UKRI. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like UKRI!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Programme Operations - IS8 Life Sciences
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show UKRI that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at UKRI.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that UKRI does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at UKRI. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into UKRI's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at UKRI. This shows your passion for the industry!
