Senior Programme Manager, Talent & Skills
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) - Head Office
Salary: £45,272 per annum
Band: UKRI E
Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 30 hours per week)
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - (Flexible hybrid working arrangement, requiring occasional office presence as per business needs.)
Closing Date: 09/02/25
This post provides oversight and leadership for NERC Fellowship investment - one of the three core areas of activities within the Talent & Skills team (alongside Landscape and Focal Studentships). The primary focus of this role is the leadership and management of NERC’s Fellowship portfolio including:
Management and delivery of NERC’s Fellowship and related activities (including Independent Research Fellowships, Daphne Jackson Trust Fellowships and Training Short Courses).
Leadership and management of NERC’s Fellowship portfolio including financial management, cross council interactions, post-award relationship management, reporting and evaluation and strategic development of the portfolio.
Oversight and management of NERC’s Fellowship related data to include analysing investments (funding outcomes, outputs and impacts), data gathering and analysis.
Strategic input to, and development of, the NERC Fellowship portfolio as part of UKRI Collective talent working.
Influence and oversight to maximise NERC opportunity through fellowship funding working with cross-UKRI colleagues to ensure interest and engagement of the environmental science community.
Lead on NERC’s contribution to the UKRI Future Leader’s Fellowship (FLF) scheme to include oversight of the assessment of proposals for funding and providing strategic input to the development of the scheme as it relates to NERC’s wider portfolio.
Provide high quality expertise and advice in areas of responsibility informed by the latest developments in the area, evidence and engagement with relevant external stakeholders.
Activity manage Programme Manager(s), Assistant Programme Manager(s) and administrative support staff in order to achieve NERC’s delivery goals.
The post-holder will also contribute to strategic direction of the Talent & Skills activity and, where required, deputise for the Head of Talent & Skills.
Person Specification
Essential skills
Degree, preferably in environmental sciences, or equivalent relevant qualifications or expertise (S)
Excellent and demonstrable understanding of how research and innovation system functions in the context of skills and training and how this relates to UKRI agendas, policy, business and societal need. (S/I)
Demonstrable experience and evidence of developing and managing complex, multi-partner grants or projects preferably in relation to skills and training. (S/I)
Demonstrable experience and evidence of strategic level thinking (S/I)
Ability to resolve complex problems, balancing a number of factors. (I)
Demonstrable track record in influencing effectively (both verbal and written media) across teams, wider organisation and external stakeholder communities. (S/I)
Ability to build links and effective working relationships. (I)
Ability to prioritise, multi-task, work to deadlines, and work flexibly on own initiative. (I)
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and across organisations with people of all levels. (I)
Desirable skills:
Creativity and motivation to develop and take forward new ideas. (I)
Experience and exposure to investment case construction, writing and development in a public and/or private sector context. (I)
Experience of working with senior academics and policy makers, other public sector bodies and businesses. (S/I)
Understanding of Grants management 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
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.
How to apply:
For full details, please visit our careers site. Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role.
A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org
About Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
NERC is the UK's leading funder of environmental science. Our scientists study and monitor the physical, chemical and biological processes on which our planet and life itself depends – from pole to pole, to the deep Earth and oceans, to the atmosphere and space. The science we fund has impact across all sectors. It provides a platform for future UK prosperity by contributing to a safe, healthy, productive nation. Many programmes involve collaborations with national and international partners to tackle large-scale environmental science challenges, including those faced by developing countries.
As well as research, innovation and training are supported from the NERC core budget. There are exciting emerging opportunities from cross-UKRI funds to develop interdisciplinary programmes enabling environmental researchers to lead and collaborate in major projects. This advances knowledge and has significant potential for delivering economic impact.
For more information about NERC, see:
https://nerc.ukri.org About UK Research Innovation (UKRI) 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
www.ukri.org. 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. 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, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. 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.
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https://nerc.ukri.org About UK Research Innovation (UKRI) 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
www.ukri.org. 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. 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, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. 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.
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