About this role
Job summary
The Countermeasures Development, Evaluation & Preparedness (CDEP) Division, along with other divisions within the PHM Directorate, provide the laboratory-based capability for UKHSA. This role provides specialist, operational leadership to activities within CDEP and other operational functions as required across UKHSA/the Porton site (HR, safety, biosecurity, quality, facilities etc).
The postholder will provide operational strategic level management to ensure delivery of CDEP and DPC strategies. The postholder will have responsibility for large scale activities, with a strong focus on external relationships, partnerships and interactions responsibility for large scale activities, with a strong focus on external relationships, partnerships and interactions ensuring workforce & business management and safety & quality regulations are implemented and maintained.
The postholder will use significant leadership, management, representational and influencing skills both within the organisation and with external stakeholders. The work undertaken will have a major impact on the achievement of the Divisions objectives.
In addition, the post is in recognition of the increased workforce and business strategy management needs for the two divisions, the post holder will be required to have comprehensive knowledge of these subject areas within a complex scientific function.
Main duties of the job
Key working relationships
Internal CDEP Deputy Director Other Deputy Directors Heads of sections in CDEP Operational/Scientific Resources Managers Other Scientific Leaders in DPC, CDEP and HCBS Scientific Leaders and Research Scientists in Science group Department heads and other senior staff in other functional areas in UKHSA (e.g., Safety, Quality, HR, Facilities Management, Finance, IT, Business Development, Legal, Commercial, Security, information governance, etc.). Director, Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories External Customers, including national and international commercial organisations, universities and research institutes Suppliers and contractors Members of other UK Government departments and UK Government agencies and academic institutions. Funding bodies, including Research Councils, European Union, Department of Health, charities, US National Institutes of Health, NIAID, BARDA, FDA etc. Regulatory authorities as required (e.g. Health and Safety Executive, Home Office, DEFRA, Foreign Office, US Gov Depts, Security).
About us
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job description Job responsibilities
The main duties will include:
Determine tactical and strategic operational requirements to support the scientific strategy prepared by the Deputy Director. Determine, implement and deliver plans to maintain and develop staff capability to meet UKHSA, customer and emergency preparedness needs. With Deputy Director, to lead, develop and implement a strategy for Divisions new business acquisition and execution; monitoring financial/business performance; workforce and headcount management; facilities development/equipment acquisition. Represent CDEP in various fora to ensure business needs are met. Join working groups/projects, services and initiatives to provide project, information and analytical advice and expertise. Take a lead in influencing other departments/service providers to improve/enhance the service they provide to the CDEP Division. Manage Scientific Partnership Lead and support Division Managers to ensure establishment, operation and completion of projects to customers' satisfaction, to budget, time and quality. Responsible for implementation of a range of policies and procedures. Line manage Scientific Partnership Lead. Support and develop staff in all people management issues, including succession planning, appraisal, training, recruitment, performance, and absence management. Contribute to Corporate and Business Plans as required, and ensure relevant objectives are met. With Deputy Director, to establish and support overall income and expenditure budget for CDEP and ensure delivery. Ensure Business Planning and Risk Registers for CDEP are current and operable. Interact with other UKHSA functions (Finance, HR, IT, Quality, Safety, Engineering, Commercial, Security, information governance, etc.) to ensure Divisions operations run optimally. Undertake all assigned work in accordance with UKHSA Risk Management Systems, policies, and procedures. To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures. To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade. This is not an exhaustive list.
Essential criteria
BSc in a relevant scientific or business subject (or equivalent qualification) or equivalent experience in a similar role Specialist knowledge in ops management disciplines, e.g. resource management, finance, safety, quality etc Evidence of experience and a proven track record of strategic and tactical operational management: working at a senior level in specialist scientific function. A proven track-record and evidence of working effectively with the confidence to lead, intervene and act as a trouble-shooter to resolve issues and tensions. Significant experience of developing and managing effective working relationships with a wide range of customers and stakeholders on a personal level and on behalf of management in the delivery of business plans. Desirable criteria
Project management experience Experience of line management: including, manage, motivate, and develop staff within the team to ensure that they can deliver responsibilities. Including the management of disciplinary procedures as required, undertake staff consultation and consider welfare and safety matters. Recruit as necessary and performance manage a team that delivers a range of tasks. Use of appraisal and development policy and procedures. Ability to recognise and materialise scientific innovations into new business, experience with staff and budget management Strategic thinking -Have complex problem-solving skills and ability to anticipate and respond to sudden unexpected demands. Ability to keep a cool head in high-pressured situations and ability to react calmly and at speed in a very wide range of circumstances. Selection criteria
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, experience and technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed5 essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form of:
an application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application) a 1000 wordsupporting statement. This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.
HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than1000 words. We will not consider any words over1000 words.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria If used, the pile Meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
Significant experience of developing and managing effective working relationships with a wide range of customers and stakeholders on a personal level and on behalf of management in the delivery of business plans. Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to face to face interview in Porton Down.
Behaviours, technical skills and experience will be tested at interview.
You will be required to prepare a 5 - 10 minute presentation as part of the interview. This will assess your technical skills. The presentation title will be: How would you identify and take forward the first partnership if you are successful?
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
Working together (Lead behaviour) Communicating and influencing Seeing the big picture Delivering at pace Interviews will be held 20th and/or 27th of November 2026. Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Scientific Campus in Porton Down.
We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) on-site.
Eligibility criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Security clearance level requirement
Part 1
Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.
Part 2
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Check clearance.
For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Salary information
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
Person Specification
Application form and supporting statement Essential
Application form and supporting statement
Presentation Essential
Presentation
Behaviours Essential
Working together (Lead behaviour) Communicating and influencing Seeing the big picture Delivering at pace
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name UK Health Security Agency
Address Scientific Campus
Porton Down
SP4 0JG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)