Head of Advancing Analytical Capabilities Programme

UKRI
Salary: £70,752 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band G.
Contract Type: Fixed Term (23 Months).
Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available).
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available (Minimum 2 days per week in office).

Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy and associated guidance for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your line manager and the designated HR team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.

Closing Date: Thursday 3rd December 2026.

UKRI's ability to make strategic, evidence-informed decisions relies on timely, coherent and trusted analysis. The Head of the Advancing Analytical Capabilities (AAC) Programme will lead a major transformation programme to enhance UKRI's analytical capability and accelerate the adoption of Data Science and AI, ensuring the organisation is equipped to meet current and future evidence needs.

The position holder will drive technical innovation, including new approaches to gathering and integrating external data for analysis in UKRI, advanced modelling to improve our understanding of the trade-offs implicit in UKRI decision-making, and AI-enabled monitoring tools to improve insight generation and portfolio visibility. The team will address long-standing challenges such as fragmented infrastructure, uneven data coverage and visibility of non-academic impacts, and will influence policy, including on, commercialisation and early innovation activity. Alongside direct delivery, the aim of the role is to build long-term analytical capability across UKRI by embedding new analytical capabilities and strengthening skills in existing teams. This is a senior analytical leadership role, and will involve working with external partners, and advising UKRI's senior leadership.

Key responsibilities

Programme delivery

• Lead end‑to‑end delivery of the Advancing Analytical Capabilities Programme, ensuring delivery to scope, time and quality.
• Direct three core strands: foundational data and landscape analysis; decision support tools and models; and cross‑cutting capability development.
• Ensure all workstreams follow a structured discovery‑first, value‑for‑money approach.

Strategic evidence and innovation

• Oversee development of a scalable research and innovation evidence base integrating internal and external data.
• Lead large‑scale landscape analysis covering publications, emerging strengths, international benchmarking and system performance.
• Drive integration of non‑traditional outputs (e.g. policy citations, patents, business intelligence).
• Evaluate and implement innovative data and AI approaches, including new harvesting methods, trade‑off modelling and AI‑enabled investment monitoring.

Analytical capability building

• Embed analysts in delivery to support adoption and long‑term sustainability.
• Design and deliver a capability programme spanning data science, advanced analytics and applied AI.
• Strengthen data governance, security and ethical frameworks, aligned with the Metascience programme.

Stakeholder engagement and leadership

• Work closely with policy, strategy, funding and operational teams to ensure outputs meet strategic needs.
• Coordinate governance, briefing senior groups and managing external delivery partners.
• Provide senior leadership to multidisciplinary teams and act as a trusted analytical advisor to senior leaders.

Personal Specification

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

Essential

• Demonstrable experience leading and delivering complex analytical programmes in large organisations, drawing on multiple data sources, advanced analytical methods, and a range of evidence to inform strategic decision-making. Experience spanning several of the following areas is desirable: scientometrics or bibliometrics; data science, machine learning, AI-enabled analysis or data engineering; research evaluation and research and innovation (R&I) system analysis; and economic or policy analysis (S&I).
• Proven experience commissioning, contracting and managing analytical, digital or research projects delivered through external partners or consultancies, including developing scopes and specifications, managing budgets and resources, and ensuring delivery of agreed outcomes (S&I).
• Leadership: Proven ability to provide strategic leadership for multidisciplinary analytical teams, setting a clear vision and direction, aligning activity with organisational priorities, and fostering an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture. Demonstrable experience developing analytical capability through coaching, mentoring and talent development, while building and sustaining effective relationships with senior leaders, stakeholders and external experts. Strong ability to influence decision-making, inspire confidence, and communicate complex analytical issues clearly and persuasively to technical and non-technical audiences (S&I).
• Changing and improving: Experience driving innovation and continuous improvement across analytical, data and evidence functions, identifying opportunities to enhance methodologies, processes, products and services to better meet organisational and stakeholder needs. Experience championing and embedding new technologies, analytical techniques and ways of working, including data science and AI-enabled approaches where appropriate, while leading teams through change and fostering a culture of learning, adaptability and continuous improvement. Able to challenge established practices constructively and use evidence, insight and evaluation to shape strategic improvements and deliver measurable organisational benefits (S&I).
• Managing a quality service: Strong track record of designing, delivering and continuously improving high-quality analytical services that meet organisational objectives and user needs, balancing strategic priorities, resources, risks and delivery timescales. Experience establishing proportionate governance, quality assurance and performance management arrangements to ensure analytical outputs are robust, trusted and fit for purpose. Demonstrable ability to manage budgets, contracts and resources effectively, monitor delivery against agreed milestones and outcomes, and ensure the efficient use of public funds while maintaining a strong focus on value for money and service excellence (S&I).

This role is open to all analysts with the relevant skills and experience. Applicants do not need to be badged to a Government Analytical Profession such as the GES, GSR, GORS or GSS to apply for this role. However, badged analysts are welcome to apply.

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 benefit 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

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

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.