At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the DiSSCo UK programme, managing strategic direction and stakeholder engagement.
- Company: Join a pioneering team at UK Research and Innovation, focused on digitising natural science collections.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in biodiversity and scientific research while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategic management and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 58589 - 58589 £ per year.
Salary: £58,589 Per Annum
Band: UKRI Band F
Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 0.8 FTE)
Contract Type: 3 years Fixed Term
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire
Closing Date: 28 June 2026
About the Role
The Distributed System of Scientific Collections UK (DiSSCo UK) is a £155.6 million investment for a national infrastructure programme to digitise 37 million natural science specimens. To deliver this exciting new programme, AHRC, alongside their delivery partner the Natural History Museum (NHM), are developing a DiSSCo UK delivery team to manage the programme on a day-to-day basis. This new team will be based at Swindon (with strong links to London) and will be responsible for managing the contract with the external evaluation supplier, leading on benefits management, engaging with relevant communities, measuring the impacts of the programme, and ensuring that impacts, outputs and outcomes are reflected upon, reported and communicated in a timely and effective manner. Some of the key activities for the team will be supporting grant holders, designing, and delivering future funding opportunities, and capturing programme and project level impacts.
As this role will involve interaction with grant holders and stakeholders, as well as attendance at events and conferences, the role will involve UK and international travel, including overnight stays.
Your Responsibilities
- Responsible for the strategic management and alignment / strategic leadership and direction of DiSSCo UK.
- Manage the relationship between AHRC/UKRI and NHM, providing the essential bridge between funder and delivery partner.
- Work collaboratively and effectively with DiSSCo UK colleagues (including those based at the NHM), adapting and communicating to ensure shared goals are met, staff feel supported and delivery objectives are maintained.
- Work collaboratively with NHM colleagues to support the work of the DiSSCo EU European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) and Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
- Lead on managing the budget and financial reporting for the DiSSCo UK Programme.
- Lead on the delivery of future programme approvals including Gate Reviews.
- Line management of the senior manager roles.
- Build strong working relationships to support the delivery of programmes funded by other Research Councils (notably the Natural Environment Research Council and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council), and cross-UKRI initiatives, as appropriate.
Person Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
- Demonstrable experience in developing, leading and delivering strategic activity, preferably in collections or related fields. Familiarity with mandated approvals and assurance processes would be beneficial. (S,I)
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage teams (project & delivery) within complex programmes, ensuring motivation and positive management and development of staff at different levels. (S,I)
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, including working across a variety of disciplines, sectors and professions in support of programme delivery and organisational strategy including academia, government, and industry (S,I)
- Ability to represent an organisation authoritatively in high-level policy discussions and cross-sector forums. (S, I)
- Exceptional communication (both written and verbal) and influencing skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences. (S,I)
- Demonstrable strategic thinking capability, including the ability to formulate and adapt strategy within a dynamic and evolving landscape (S,I)
- Strong creative problem-solving skills, coupled with a proactive and flexible approach to achieving objectives in challenging contexts. (S,I)
To apply you must attach your CV (2 pages max.) and a covering letter (2 pages max.), ensuring that your cover letter addresses the essential shortlisting and interview criteria.
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! A list of benefits below:
- An outstanding defined benefit 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!
For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer. Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org
Head of DiSSCo UK in Swindon employer: UKRI
At UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values continuous learning and employee development. Located in Swindon, our team enjoys a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and flexible working options, all while contributing to impactful projects like the DiSSCo UK programme. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing and a diverse range of benefits, UKRI is dedicated to fostering a rewarding and meaningful work environment for all staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of DiSSCo UK in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the field. Attend conferences, workshops, or even local meet-ups related to natural sciences and collections. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or stakeholders, don’t hold back on sharing your knowledge about strategic management and stakeholder engagement. This will help you stand out as a candidate who knows their stuff.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a role that excites you, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Apply through our website and follow up with a friendly email expressing your enthusiasm. It shows initiative and keeps you on their radar.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by practising your communication skills. Think about how you can articulate complex issues clearly and persuasively. Mock interviews with friends or mentors can really help you nail that confident delivery when it counts!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of DiSSCo UK in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of DiSSCo UK role. Highlight your experience in strategic management and stakeholder engagement, as these are key for this position. We want to see how your background aligns with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just repeat your CV but should address the essential criteria listed in the job description. Use it to showcase your communication skills and strategic thinking. Remember, this is your chance to make a strong first impression!
Be Clear and Concise:Both your CV and cover letter should be clear and to the point. Stick to the 2-page limit for each document and ensure every word counts. We appreciate clarity and directness, so avoid fluff and get straight to your achievements!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end!
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the DiSSCo UK programme and its objectives. Familiarise yourself with the key stakeholders, including AHRC, NHM, and other Research Councils. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to lead and manage teams effectively. Think about specific situations where you've motivated staff or navigated complex programmes. Be ready to discuss how you can apply these skills to the DiSSCo UK team.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your experience in stakeholder engagement. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully collaborated across various sectors and disciplines. This is crucial for the role, so think of examples that showcase your communication and influencing skills.
✨Think Strategically
Be prepared to discuss your strategic thinking capabilities. Consider how you've formulated and adapted strategies in previous roles, especially in dynamic environments. This will show that you can navigate the evolving landscape of the DiSSCo UK programme.
