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Job summary

MRC Head Office Operations Officer
Salary: £30,895 per annum
Band: UKRI Band C
Contract Type: Open ended
Hours: Full-time / Part time (Minimum 0.8 FTE)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - (Hybrid 2-3 days onsite presence required)
Open position's: 2

Closing Date: Monday 10th August 2026

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking a proactive and organised Operations Officer to support the effective running of MRC Head Office. This role sits between operational delivery and strategic coordination, ensuring that core processes, systems, and activities are delivered efficiently and consistently.
The postholder will play a key role in maintaining operational systems, coordinating cross-team activity, supporting improvement initiatives, and ensuring that accurate data, processes, and guidance are in place. The role provides an opportunity to work closely with colleagues across MRC and UKRI, contributing to a well-functioning and continuously improving Head Office.

Overall Purpose

To support the coordination, delivery, and continuous improvement of operational systems and processes within MRC Head Office, ensuring smooth day-to-day functioning and alignment with organisational priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Support and Coordination

• Support the coordination of day-to-day operations across MRC Head Office, ensuring activities are delivered efficiently and in line with agreed processes.
• Assist in managing and maintaining operational systems, workflows, and tools (e.g., Monday.com, SharePoint, ERM, Intranet).
• Coordinate cross-team activities, tracking progress and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Provide administrative and operational support to key projects and initiatives led by senior colleagues.

Process Management and Improvement

• Maintain and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), guidance documents, and process maps.
• Find opportunities to improve processes, reduce duplication, and enhance efficiency, escalating recommendations where appropriate.
• Support the documentation and implementation of new or updated processes.
• Assist with embedding consistent ways of working across teams.

Operational Systems and Data

• Support the maintenance and effective use of operational tools and systems (e.g., ERM, operational calendars, workflow platforms).
• Input, manage, and validate data to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Produce routine operational reports and dashboards, highlighting trends or issues.
• Support colleagues in using systems effectively through guidance and troubleshooting.

Planning and Coordination

• Support the maintenance of the MRC Head Office operational calendar, ensuring key activities and deadlines are captured and updated.
• Assist in coordinating organisational activities such as appraisals, training cycles, and governance processes.
• Work with colleagues across teams to gather updates and ensure alignment of activities

Workforce and Capability Support

• Support the maintenance of workforce and capability data, including skills and role information.
• Assist with recruitment and onboarding processes, ensuring accurate operational information and documentation are in place.
• Contribute to the development and upkeep of capability frameworks and supporting materials.

Governance and Compliance

• Support adherence to operational policies, procedures, and governance requirements.
• Assist with activities related to delegated authority, budget tracking, and compliance processes
• Escalate risks, issues, or inconsistencies as required.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build effective working relationships with colleagues across MRC Head Office and UKRI.
• Provide responsive, customer-focused support to stakeholders.
• Assist with preparing updates, briefings, and communications as required.

Working Relationships

Reports to: Senior Operations Manager

Key Interactions:

• MRC Head Office teams.
• UKRI corporate services (Finance, HR, Governance).
• External partners where relevant.

Person specification

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

Essential Criteria

• Experience supporting operational processes, systems, or administrative services within a complex organisation. (S/I)
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities. (S/I)
• Experience working with digital tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, SharePoint, workflow systems). (S/I)
• Ability to coordinate activities across teams and track progress to deadlines. (S/I)
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate data and documentation. (S/I)
• Good communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with a range of stakeholders. (S/I)
• Proactive and solution-focused approach to problem-solving. (S/I)

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working in a public sector, research, or governance-driven environment. (S/I)
• Familiarity with tools such as Monday.com, ERM/CRM systems, or reporting dashboards. (S/I)
• Experience supporting process improvement or operational projects. (S/I)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,895, UK Research and Innovation contributes £8,950 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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 salary 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:

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Key Behaviours

• Collaborative and supportive team player
• Organised and reliable, with strong attention to detail
• Proactive and adaptable, able to manage changing priorities
• Committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence

Positioning of the Role (Summary)

• Senior Operations Manager: Strategic leadership, transformation, organisational oversight.
• Operations Manager: System ownership, performance insight, cross-org coordination, improvement delivery.
• Operations Officer (this role): Coordination, delivery, process ownership, operational support.

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : UKRI Recruitment Team
• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org