Programme Support Officer

National Quantum Computing Centre; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading quantum research organization in the UK is seeking a Programme Support Officer to support the Programme Manager and enhance the country's quantum computing capabilities. This role includes managing meeting logistics, monitoring objectives, and ensuring compliance with management processes while working with a wide range of stakeholders. Candidates should have strong project management skills and a commitment to the NQCC's mission. This role offers flexibility with working arrangements, requiring at least 3 days a week on-site.

Benefits

Flexible working scheme

Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme

30 days annual leave allowance

Employee benefits and discounts

Qualifications

• Experience with managing programme or project risks and issues.
• Strong ability to monitor progress on objectives and KPIs.
• Proven experience in preparing concise meeting minutes and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Assist in all aspects of programme management for the NQCC.
• Support preparation and coordination of governance meetings.
• Monitor and report on NQCC objectives and milestones.
• Ensure compliance with programme management processes.

Skills

Programme/project management

Excellent written communication

Strong verbal communication

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Time management

Teamwork

Handling confidential information

Advanced Microsoft Office skills

Commitment to NQCC's mission

Education

Substantial training or qualifications in project management

Tools

Power BI

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Job description

Salary: £37,841 – £40,301 gross per annum (Dependent on experience)

Contract type: Permanent

Location: RAL Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK (Flexible working available, with at least 3 days a week on-site)

Hours: Full-time or part-time (Minimum 0.8 FTE) (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn, and empowered to explore your curiosity.

About the role

We are looking for a Programme Support Officer who can assist the NQCC’s Programme Manager in all aspects of programme management. You will also be working closely with other members of the Programme Delivery team, and more widely with scientists, engineers, developers and experts in quantum technologies, to enhance the UK’s quantum computing capabilities.

Key responsibilities

• Supporting different aspects of the NQCC’s governance structure, such as the NQCC’s Strategic Advisory Committee, Technical Advisory Group, and other groups as requested. This is achieved through:
  • Assuring the smooth preparation of meetings (e.g. polling for dates, organising venues and travel, drafting agendas, collating and distributing papers, creating slide decks, etc).
  • Assisting during the meeting by taking minutes.
  • Monitoring the action log post-meeting.
  • Building relationships with these internal and external stakeholders.
• Supporting the Programme Manager and relevant colleagues in managing the NQCC’s programme‑level risks and issues. Ensuring that the required information and updates are collected, organising data for analysis, and flagging any issues or delays. Helping the Programme Manager prepare reports on risks and issues for various governance boards.
• Supporting the monitoring of progress on NQCC’s objectives. Ensuring that regular updates are collected across all teams, and escalating when Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and milestones are delayed or not being met. Improving how this is visualised in reports on progress for a variety of stakeholders.
• Helping ensure compliance with relevant wider STFC and UKRI programme management processes, including the professional preparation of internal and external programme documentation.

  Administering and improving the Knowledge Information Management (KIM) function for the Programme Delivery team and for projects managed by the Programme Delivery team (e.g. via tools such as SharePoint).

• Providing support to other members of the Programme Delivery team, such as assisting with Projects Board meetings and minutes, project monthly reports, collecting benefits data, assisting with training and workshops, and contributing to Programme Delivery team meetings, etc.

Person specification

The following essential criteria are split into shortlisting (S) and/or interview (I):

• Substantial experience, qualifications or training relating to programme/project/portfolio management, or other relevant topics such as risk management. (S/I)
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to draw out and concisely explain key information, particularly in meeting minutes. (S/I)
• Strong verbal communication skills, the ability to build strong relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders, and the ability to influence and motivate people from a wide range of backgrounds and fields towards the achievement of agreed deliverables. (S/I)
• Strong attention to detail and substantial experience in interpreting and manipulating large amounts of information into easy-to-understand reports and spreadsheets, with a clear visual impact. Experience with tools such as Power BI. (S/I)
• Demonstrated proactive attitude to problem solving, managing risks and resolving issues that arise, showing high levels of personal drive, determination and resilience. (S/I)
• Excellent time management skills and ability to manage various activities at once, prioritising key tasks. (S/I)
• Ability to work both as a team member and independently. (S/I)
• Experience handling confidential information securely and appropriately. (S/I)
• Computer literate with advanced capabilities in Microsoft Office (particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and the ability to use document management systems such as SharePoint. (S)
• Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to the NQCC’s mission, vision and values and a desire to contribute to these goals. (S/I)

About NQCC

The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is the UK’s national laboratory dedicated to accelerating the development and adoption of quantum computing.

Headquartered at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, the NQCC works across government, industry, and academia to address the engineering challenges of scaling quantum computers and to build a quantum-ready economy. Its mission is to enable the UK to solve complex societal and industrial challenges by harnessing the transformative potential of quantum computing.

The NQCC is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). It sits alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and is part of the wider National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).

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.

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 a 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, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who opt into the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. 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.

Employee benefits

We recognise and value employees as individuals and aim to provide a pay and rewards package that motivates staff to perform to the best of their ability. The reward package includes a flexible working scheme, a Career Average Revalued Earnings pension scheme, 30 days annual leave allowance and a number of other benefits.

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.

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.

About the team

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.

One of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting‑edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving ground‑breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.