Head of Product and Design – UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Location: Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom – Hybrid working available
Salary: £68,525 per year
Contract: Open-ended
Hours: Full-time / Part-time (minimum 0.8 FTE, flexible working available)
Closing Date: Sunday, 9th November 2025
About the Role
UKRI is seeking a Head of Product and Design to ensure its digital services effectively meet user and organisational needs. The role involves leading product managers and design professionals to create a seamless, integrated digital ecosystem across both off-the-shelf and in-house platforms.
Key responsibilities include:
- Delivering user-centred digital services and applying agile methodologies.
- Leveraging AI to automate manual business processes and improve efficiency.
- Ensuring compliance with UK Government digital standards, accessibility, and security.
- Managing complex interdependencies across multiple projects and teams.
- Recruiting, retaining, and developing multi-disciplinary teams.
- Managing budgets and procurements for digital services.
Your Responsibilities
Product & User-Centred Design Leadership:
- Promote a product and service mindset organisation-wide.
- Champion user-centred approaches to reduce risk and address strategic unknowns.
Advocate for UKRI Digital Standards:
- Ensure alignment with Cabinet Office CDDO assurance standards.
- Oversee all UKRI spend approvals involving digital services.
Vision & Roadmap Development:
- Collaborate with the Head of Funding Platforms to align digital projects to strategic objectives.
- Track service readiness, progress, and risks to delivery.
Stakeholder & Team Management:
- Effectively manage interdependencies across projects and portfolios.
- Recruit, retain, and manage resources, suppliers, and budgets.
Personal Specification
Essential Requirements:
- Proven experience implementing UK Cabinet Office Digital Service standards.
- Deep expertise in digital platforms, service design, or funding systems.
- Knowledge of generative AI for automating business tasks.
- Experience creating and managing communities of practice.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and user-centred design.
- Strategic thinker with problem-solving skills.
Benefits
- Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days’ annual leave plus 10.5 public and privilege days.
- Flexible working options.
- Employee discounts and leisure offers.
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing initiatives.
- Continuous learning and development opportunities.
How to Apply
Apply online via the UKRI careers portal. If you experience issues, contact Recruitment@ukri.org.
Visa Sponsorship:
- UKRI can sponsor skilled worker visas. Applicants and dependants must initially pay Home Office fees; reimbursement may be available once employed.
