At a Glance
- Tasks: Support innovative R&D projects and manage diaries for key directors.
- Company: Join UKRI, a leader in research and innovation with a mission-driven culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a great pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and continuous learning in a supportive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a PA, strong communication, and organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 25800 - 25800 £ per year.
Salary: £30,895 Per Annum. Grade: UKRI Band C. Contract Type: Open Ended. Hours: Full Time or Part Time. (Minimum 0.8 FTE) Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire. Positions Available: 2.
This is a combined recruitment campaign. In your cover letter, please indicate which role/s you are interested in. Closing Date: 20/03/2026.
About Us
The R&D Missions Accelerator Programme represents an exceptional opportunity to create real world impact through R&D investment. The programme will utilise a £500m budget to bring together the private sector, the third sectors and academia to collaboratively develop innovative solutions to public sector problems, resulting in new technologies, services, IP and more. The programme has been designed to solve the key problems facing HMG’s five national Missions and enable delivery of the milestones in the Plan for Change.
Mission Specific
- Safer Streets: The Safer Streets Mission is tackling some of the most difficult, enduring and systemic problems in our society. The ambition is to reduce serious harm, and increase public confidence in policing and in the criminal justice system, with a challenging target of halving both knife crime and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) within a decade.
- Opportunities: The Breaking Down Barriers to Opportunity Mission seeks to ensure every child and young person can succeed, regardless of background. It aims to give children the best start in life through high quality early education, childcare and accessible family support services.
- Clean Energy: The Clean Energy Mission is the UK’s world-leading response to climate change with its twin focus on Clean Power by 2030 and accelerating to Net Zero.
- Health: The Health Mission is transforming care by reducing pressure on hospitals and improving patient outcomes across key areas.
Purpose
R&D MAP are seeking 2 Programme Officer and Personal Assistants to support across the programme. In this role you will manage the diaries of up to two Challenge Directors leading the individual mission challenges, enabling them to carry out their roles effectively, while also fulfilling other administrative duties essential to the programme’s success.
Main Outputs and Activities
- Diary management: You will proactively and effectively manage complex diaries to make the best use of the Challenge Directors’ time and resources.
- Meeting preparation: Ahead of meetings, you will ensure briefing, and diary papers are obtained and presented to the Director in a timely fashion.
- Administrative support: You will provide effective and flexible administrative support to members of the wider Challenge Teams.
Personal Specification
Essential:
- Proven professional experience of providing high‑quality support as a Personal Assistant.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to write clear and accurate correspondence which is tailored to the audience.
- Confidence working effectively, and building relationships with, senior leaders and stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills with high attention to detail and the ability to manage workloads.
- Ability to show initiative, manage ambiguity, think and adapt quickly, maintain confidentiality and discretion.
- Excellent team‑working skills and experience of supporting other team members in an administrative capacity.
- High level of ICT skills, proficient in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Desirable:
- Educated to at least ‘A’ level standard, or equivalent.
- Creative, flexible, and positive approach to problem‑solving.
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 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.
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
Programme Coordinator / PA Support - (R&D MAP) in Swindon employer: UKRI
At UK Research and Innovation, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Located in Swindon, our team enjoys a comprehensive benefits package, including a generous pension scheme, 30 days of annual leave, and flexible working options, all aimed at promoting a healthy work-life balance. With a strong commitment to employee development and continuous learning, we offer meaningful opportunities for growth while tackling pressing societal challenges through our impactful R&D Missions Accelerator Programme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Coordinator / PA Support - (R&D MAP) in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its missions. Understand their goals and challenges, especially in areas like Safer Streets or Clean Energy, so you can show how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with friends or family. Get comfortable talking about your experiences and how they relate to the role of Programme Coordinator. Confidence is key!
✨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 our team and making an impact.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Coordinator / PA Support - (R&D MAP) in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your cover letter for the specific role you're applying for. Mention which position you're interested in and highlight how your skills align with the job description. This shows us that you’re genuinely interested and have done your homework!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since strong communication is key for this role, use your application to demonstrate your writing abilities. Keep it clear, concise, and professional. We want to see that you can convey information effectively, just like you would in the job!
Highlight Your Organisational Skills:This role involves managing complex diaries and juggling multiple tasks. Use your application to showcase examples of how you've successfully managed workloads and prioritised tasks in the past. We love seeing real-life examples!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Programme Coordinator/PA Support role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as diary management and meeting preparation. This will help you articulate how your skills align with the job requirements.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since strong communication is essential for this position, prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to write clear correspondence and build relationships with senior leaders. Think of specific instances where your communication made a positive impact.
✨Be Organised and Detail-Oriented
Highlight your organisational skills during the interview. You might be asked about how you manage competing demands or adapt to changing priorities. Share specific strategies you use to stay organised and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
✨Demonstrate Your Initiative
Employers love candidates who can think on their feet. Prepare to discuss situations where you've taken the initiative to solve problems or improve processes. This will show that you can handle ambiguity and work independently when needed.
