Senior Policy Manager – ADR UK

Senior Policy Manager – ADR UK (Maternity Cover)

SALARY: £45,272 Per Annum

HOURS: Full Time or Part Time (Minimum 0.8 FTE)

CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed Term (Concluding 31st March 2026)

LOCATION: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire

GRADE: UKRI E

POSITIONS AVAILABLE: 1

CLOSING DATE: 11th June 2025

PROPOSED INTERVIEW DATE: w/c 26th June 2025

ABOUT US

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), as part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), funds an important investment in research infrastructure to maximise the potential of administrative data as a resource for research – Administrative Data Research UK (ADR UK). ADR UK engages government and academic communities in opening up access to administrative data, and facilitates innovative research utilising this data to address major societal challenges. ADR UK was initially set up as a £44m pilot investment in 2018, and following the success of this pilot is now a long-term investment underpinned by £105m of funding until 2026.

The Strategic Hub team sits within ESRC to provide coordination and strategic leadership across this multi-partnered investment and is led by a Director who reports to the ESRC Deputy Executive Chair and the ADR UK Programme Delivery Board.

PURPOSE

Reporting to the Deputy Director and working closely with a Project Manager, you will lead the monitoring and assurance of this investment on behalf of ESRC. You will also have responsibility for coordinating the management of the ADR UK Programme Delivery Board, grant awards for core partners (both government and academic) and related stakeholder relationships. You will also work collaboratively with team members and partners to ensure the ADR UK programme is on track to meet the aims and vision, as described in the Full Business Case that underpins this investment.

MAIN OUTPUTS AND ACTIVITIES

The key responsibilities of this post will be to:

• develop and deliver appropriate assurance reviews for the ADR UK Programme and report findings and proposed actions to the SRO and Programme Delivery Board, building on the good practice embedded within the programme in these areas to date.
• in collaboration with other team members, deliver a consistent programme management approach across the ADR UK Programme and hold grant holders to account, ensuring that programme management tools are completed accurately and are embraced consistently.
• support grant holders by proactively identifying and resolving problems.
• proactively engage with a range of internal and external stakeholders (including government departments and other agencies) and manage those relationships effectively
• provide support to the Director and Deputy Director as required.
• review reporting information to provide a clear picture across the programme, reporting status to Directors and the Programme Delivery board.
• leading and supporting the commissioning and management of complex data infrastructure and resource investments.
• drafting a range of written documents containing arguments, proposals and recommendations, which are appropriate for internal and external audiences and which may enter the public domain.
• analysing information from a variety of sources and expertise to inform good decision-making and problem-solving
• line-managing one or more members of staff within the Strategic Hub and supporting teams and individuals to achieve objectives.
• undertaking periodic work on corporate projects and schemes and support the wider work of the ESRC as required.
• lead the budgetary management workstream for ADR UK, including managing spending fluctuations and reporting to UKRI.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

(S) – ASSESSED AT SHORTLISTING

(I) – ASSESSED AT INTERVIEW

(S&I) – ASSESSED AT BOTH SHORTLISTING AND INTERVIEW

ESSENTIAL:

• an understanding of the importance of data infrastructure, data resources and e-infrastructure to the social science (and wider) research landscape (S&I)
• a project management or programme management qualification with evidence of working within a Programme Management Office environment and/or extensive experience of programme and project management. (S&I)
• excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate across a range of stakeholders (S&I)
• ability to make sound decisions and resolve complex problems to operate at pace in a changing environment (S&I)
• able to develop a collaborative working culture across multi-disciplinary teams as well as be an effective team-player (S&I)
• able to work with ambiguity and have clarity of thought to cut through the detail to see the bigger picture (S&I)

About the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

The ESRC is the UK’s largest funder of economic, social, behavioural and human data science. It supports the development and training of the UK’s future social scientists and funds major studies that provide the infrastructure for research. ESRC-funded research informs policy-makers and practitioners and helps make businesses, voluntary bodies and other organisations more effective.

For more information about ESRC, please visit https://esrc.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.

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.

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.

Additional Information

• Organisation: Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
• External Closing Date: Jun 11, 2025
• Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 45,272
• Hours: Full-time / Part-time

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