Senior Portfolio Manager

UK Research and Innovation

Senior Portfolio Manager leading UK Metascience Unit's strategy from 2026-2030. Developing and coordinating Metascience trials while managing a research portfolio to inform policy change.

Posted 6/30/2026full-timeSwindon • 🇬🇧 United KingdomSenior💰 £46,743 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Working as part of the DSIT/UKRI Metascience Unit, the role will involve:
Working at the interface between strategic leadership and delivery with strong communication skills to develop and implement key priorities, policies, and strategies.
Building and developing strong relationships, working across UKRI, government departments, other funders and stakeholders to ensure that investments are connected and impactful.
Leading the design, delivery and evaluation of applied experiments on UKRI funding processes, to inform changes in policy and practice.
Responsibility for scoping, developing, commissioning and managing a portfolio of metascience-related research, through collaborative partnerships across UKRI, other Government organisations and wider partners, to maximise impact and knowledge exchange.
Developing and overseeing cohort engagement activities and events to promote networking and knowledge exchange.
Working with others to ensure that allocated investments are appropriately governed, monitored, evaluated, and communicated.
Working with others to manage a programme of contracted research and activities with a delivery partner.
Providing support to and deputise for the team head as required and undertake periodic work on areas outside of the team as needed, supporting the wider work of ESRC.
Line managing members of staff, and also task or activity manage of other staff members, supporting teams and individuals to achieve objectives through periods of change.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience (S).
Excellent understanding and experience of UKRI research council funding processes and the research policy landscape in the UK and internationally (S&I).
Strong ability to design, manage and interpret the results of experimental interventions in complicated, real-world situations and clearly communicate results (both in writing and orally) to a wide range of audiences (S&I).
Sophisticated analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills and an ability to think strategically (S&I).
Proven interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and to form strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at different levels of seniority (S&I).
Experience working with government partners to deliver shared outcomes (S&I).
Experience of managing commercial contracts, including procurement processes (S&I).
Strong project management skills including experience of multi-tasking, prioritising and matrix managing colleagues to optimally deliver projects (S&I).

Benefits

Comp & perks

30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
Flexible working hours.
An excellent defined salary pension scheme.
Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
Excellent learning and development opportunities.
Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Experimental DesignPolicy DevelopmentData InterpretationContract ManagementProcurement Processes

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsCollaborative WorkStrategic ThinkingDecision-Making

Certifications

Degree in Relevant Field