At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the AHRC Grants Operations team with administrative and operational tasks.
- Company: Join the Arts and Humanities Research Council, a leader in research funding.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a great pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Gain valuable experience in research funding while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and a knack for problem-solving are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30895 - 30895 £ per year.
Salary: £30,895 per annum
Band: UKRI Band C
Contract Type: Fixed Term (9 months). Ends 31st March 2027.
Hours: Full-time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available
Closing Date: 28 June 2026
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) supports world-class arts and humanities research. Part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which works in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities, and government to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish. We fund academic research in over 50 subject areas – from archaeology to linguistics, law to visual arts – as well as supplying to cross-cutting research agendas addressing the major challenges facing the world today, such as climate change, global poverty, gender inequalities and health crises.
About the role
A post has become available providing operational and administrative support to a busy team within the AHRC. The Operations Team is looking to recruit one Operations Officer on a fixed term basis (until March 2027) to join the Policy and Process area of the Team. The role is fundamentally an administrative role tasked with the operational delivery of the team’s objectives. This exposure to the broad and varied work of the AHRC will provide you with an excellent understanding of the national and international research funding landscape and allow you to develop a long-term career path within grants funding.
Your responsibilities:
- Providing general operational and organisational support to the AHRC Grants Operations team including managing shared mailboxes, supporting the implementation of grants policy and process updates, supporting the purchase order process, creating online surveys, processing disabled student allowance claims and supporting the research outcomes reporting process.
- Being a first point of call for external enquiries; engaging directly with prospective applicants, grant holders and other external stakeholders in relation to AHRC grants policy, funding provision and processes, and providing answers and guidance in a timely manner.
- Engaging with and supporting continuous improvement project work and initiatives, seeking to refine processes, policy, and ways of working within both your team and the wider organisation.
- Occasionally you may also support meetings, webinars, and events both internally and externally and both in-person and virtually; tasks include securing venues (or virtual meeting space), arranging logistics, making travel and accommodation arrangements, and processing expenses claims.
- Supporting training and guidance on the systems and processes of AHRC.
Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential
- You have excellent organisational and administrative skills, and the ability to work flexibly and multi-task with good attention to detail, often at pace (S&I).
- You have sound numeric skills, including handling and analysing data sensitively, accurately, and responsibly (S&I).
- You have excellent written communication skills and can draft and understand complex written documents and interpret them clearly (S&I).
- You can work independently, think creatively, solve problems, and make effective decisions (S&I).
- You are a great team player and can provide support to colleagues, sharing knowledge and information, and giving towards the achievements of your team and the wider organisation (S&I).
- You are an excellent communicator with good social skills, working effectively with colleagues at different levels both inside and outside the organisation, while being an effective ambassador for the AHRC (S&I).
- You have a good working knowledge of IT and programmes (Outlook, MS Word, Excel, MS Teams, etc.) with the ability to quickly learn new software and systems. (S&I).
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
Operations Officer in Swindon employer: UKRI
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values individual contributions and promotes continuous learning. Located in Swindon, with hybrid working options, employees benefit from a generous leave package, a defined benefit pension scheme, and various wellbeing initiatives, making it an ideal environment for those seeking meaningful career growth in the research funding landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Officer in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at AHRC. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the AHRC’s projects and values. Show us you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their mission. Tailor your answers to reflect their goals!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since the role involves engaging with various stakeholders, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently is key. Consider mock interviews with friends or mentors.
✨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 you’re serious about joining the team at AHRC. Let’s get you that Operations Officer role!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Officer in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Operations Officer role. We want to see how you can contribute to our team, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since excellent written communication is key for this role, ensure your application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can draft and understand complex documents easily!
Highlight Your Organisational Skills:This role requires strong organisational abilities, so be sure to mention any experience you have in managing multiple tasks or projects. We love seeing examples of how you’ve successfully juggled responsibilities in the past!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there.
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Operations Officer role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with the AHRC's mission and how this position contributes to their objectives. This will help you articulate how your skills align with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Since the role requires excellent organisational and administrative skills, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects. Be ready to discuss how you prioritised tasks and maintained attention to detail under pressure.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Prowess
As an Operations Officer, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare to share instances where you've drafted complex documents or handled inquiries. Highlight your ability to convey information clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Problem-Solving
The role requires a great team player who can also think creatively and solve problems. Think of examples where you've collaborated with others to achieve a common goal or tackled a challenging situation. Show how your contributions made a positive impact on your team or organisation.
