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
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.
Personal 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)
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.
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 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)
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org
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 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.
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.
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 rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.