Programme Manager

Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Job Info

• Job Category Project Management and Delivery
• Apply Before 03/29/2026, 10:55 PM
• Job Identification 2044
• Posting Date 03/10/2026, 03:52 PM
• Job Shift Day
• Hours Full Time

Job Description

Salary: £70,752 per annum

Band: UKRI Band G

Contract Type: Fixed Term (18 months)

Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available)

Location: Polaris House, Swindon (or any other UKRI Location, except London) - Hybrid working available

Closing Date: 29th March 2026

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to run a major operating model review project at UK Research & Innovation. You will deliver this critical project, which will be part of a wider change programme of reforms.

You will work alongside subject matter experts, the Workstream Lead, the Programme Director, the Programme Management Office and external service providers to deliver the realignment of reporting lines and teams across departments. You will run this programme in line with UKRI change governance and be responsible for delivering clear objectives, benefits and monitored risks throughout the lifetime of the programme. Report to the Programme Director.

Given the sensitivity of this project, you will coordinate a core team of subject matter experts as you progress this work through design, engagement, delivery, implementation and closure phases.

You will use your strong background in restructuring and people change to bridge the gap between subject matter experts and the governance requirements of this work.

Your responsibilities:

• Manage end-to-end delivery of a complex restructuring programme from concept, design and business case development, to union and staff engagement, delivery, implementation and project closure.
• Produce and maintain high quality project artefacts to document each stage, decision, risk, issue, dependency, and benefit associated to the programme.
• Manage external contracts with pay data and services providers - ensuring delivery to time, budget and quality.
• Escalate and resolve project blockers, working with the workstream lead, Programme Director and PMO as necessary.
• Manage project managers responsible for individual workstreams.
• Satisfy financial and change governance reporting requirement and work with the programme finance business partner to prepare regular and reliable budget forecasts.
• Represent your programme at senior governance bodies within UKRI.
• Work with the Programme Director and Engagement Lead to develop union engagement and stakeholder management plans.
• Maintain a good understanding of UKRI governance policies and procedures, supporting compliance and referring matters to the UKRI Governance Team as required.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

• Experience of delivering restructuring projects as programme manager (S).
• Experience of delivering major people related changes in a large public sector organisation (S).
• Up to date understanding and evidence of applying formal programme management methods, controls and processes (S&I).
• Understanding of public sector exit procedures (S&I).
• Experience of managing teams of project professionals, and effectively delegating and developing them within major programmes (S).
• Demonstrable enthusiasm for people and culture oriented programmes and strong desire to take ownership of delivery (I).
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and personal skills, good writing style, experience of comprehensive reporting and presenting, ability to integrate into a highly collaborative and semi structured environment and work as part of a team. Pragmatic and flexible approach (S&I).
• Analytical approach (e.g. use of project scheduling and other data analytical tools) (S&I).
• Commitment to continuous improvement (programmes and personally) (S&I).

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:

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact .

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit or contact .

About Us

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world class research, skills and business led innovation.

More information can be found at .

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI .

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re run security clearance as required during the course of employment.