STFC - Chief Operating Officer
- 📁
- Professional
- 📅
- 3 days ago Post Date
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- 24000121 Requisition #
Science and Technology Facilities Council
- Business Continuity & Risk Management
- Digital Infrastructure
- Environmental Sustainability
- Estates, which include 123 buildings and covers 180 acres over 5 sites
- Health and Safety
- Continuous Improvement
- Strategic oversight of support services - Direct management of Business Continuity, Digital Infrastructure, Environmental Sustainability, Estates, Health & Safety, and Continuous Improvement
- Indirect oversight of core functions - Indirect responsibility for HR, Finance, Governance/Legal, Assurance, Risk, Information (GARI), and Procurement
- Leadership and governance - Act as a visible leader within the STFC Executive Board, champion corporate governance, and ensure alignment with UKRI strategy and statutory obligations
- Transformation and strategy alignment - Support the Executive Chair in transforming STFC to align with UKRI's strategic vision
- Corporate collaboration - Work with Executive Directors to drive people performance, strengthen strategic relationships, and maximise science and industry impact
- Continuous improvement - Champion organisational design, simplification, and harmonisation to enhance delivery capability and efficiency
- Finance and procurement - Ensure financial controls and significant procurement processes align with UKRI policies and public finance standards
- Safety, health, and environment - Lead SHE initiatives to maintain a safe working environment and drive sustainability goals, including achieving Net Zero by 2040
- Estates and facilities management - Oversee strategic planning for estates services, infrastructure, and space management to ensure fit-for-purpose facilities
- Stakeholder engagement - Build strong relationships across STFC, UKRI, and external stakeholders to support organisational goals through influence and collaboration
- A degree in Business or equivalent significant experience (professional qualifications in financial or project management are desirable)
- Proven experience of working with Boards at a senior level with diverse internal and external stakeholders
- Proven success in delivering organisational change and leading corporate services at a senior level
- Strategic vision with the ability to translate goals into actionable outcomes
- First-class communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills
- Experience in the research and innovation sector or public sector is desirable
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
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.
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 UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
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.
Please note, to apply via the UKRI Careers Portal you will receive a notification confirming your profile has successfully been created (if you have not previously set up an account) and a second notification confirming your application for this role has been submitted. If you do not receive the second notification confirming your application for this role has been submitted, or if you experience any other issues applying, please contact seniorrecruitment@ukri.org, so we can ensure your application has been received.
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.