Strategy, Planning and Communications Officer

Strategy Planning and Communications Officer

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: 37841 per annum Fixed-term contract (12 months) Full Time/Part time Closing Date: Monday 4th May 2026

Hours: Full time/Part-time (minimum 30 hours per week; we understand the importance of work-life balance and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Location: Polaris House Swindon Wiltshire or Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell Oxfordshire. (Other locations may be considered such as Daresbury Laboratory Warrington or the UK Astronomy Technology Centre Edinburgh)

Together our scientists technologists engineers and business support teams explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether its 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 youre surrounded by world-leading experts encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) develops and exploits frontier research in particle physics astronomy nuclear physics and space science through activities at UK universities and its own national laboratories working internationally through a range of long-term collaborative research projects. STFC also builds and operates many of the UKs largest multi-disciplinary research facilities at our research and innovation campuses.

Our Strategy Planning and Communications (SPC) Directorate brings together the essential functions that are needed to help shape communicate and monitor progress against STFCs strategic plans. Our role is to enable the organisation to determine its strategic direction and translate this into a coherent set of plans communicating these across the organisation.

In SPC open communication and mutual support are encouraged. We are always looking to build positive change in our Directorate: our teams cultivate a safe environment and are ambitious in our actions to challenge inequities when we find them.

About the role

We have two roles available each of which will be based in one of three teams within Strategy Planning and Communications: Strategy International and Partnerships and Insight. Each role will however work across multiple areas of responsibility within SPC which may include strategy and planning; strategic stakeholder engagement (national and international); monitoring and evaluation; or communications.

Each role will be unique and may include a combination of some of the following:

• Provide coordination and administrative support across SPC activities ensuring smooth delivery of programmes meetings and directorate workflows.

• Support governance processes including organising meetings preparing papers taking minutes and tracking actions.

• Assist with developing and maintaining information and document management systems (e.g. SharePoint internal hubs resource tools).

• Contribute to the preparation of briefings presentations and communications for internal and external stakeholders.

• Coordinate directorate events visits and engagements managing logistics and supporting materials.

• Support recruitment training and other internal processes as required.

• Gather organise and share information across teams helping maintain consistent and accurate records.

• Provide operational support to thematic or programme areas helping with planning documentation and stakeholder coordination.

• Assist in the delivery of directorate-wide initiatives improvement projects and transformation activities.

• Work flexibly to respond to emerging priorities and provide general support across SPC.

Person Specification

The criteria below will be assessed at shortlisting (S) interview (I) or both (S&I).

• Clear and articulate written and oral communication skills for a range of documents or media to convey information effectively to a range of audiences engage stakeholders and facilitate productive discussions. (S&I)

• Understand how activities sit within the wider strategic context and in turn the ability to prioritise and deliver activities in this context. (I)

• Proactively identifies issues and proposes clear practical solutions that keep work aligned with SPCs priorities. Uses sound judgement to resolve problems with adaptive thinking and communicates appropriately. (S&I)

• Strong planning and organisational skills with attention to detail accuracy and execution; thoroughness and precision in all aspects of work; able to prioritise conflicting tasks at short notice to meet organisational priorities. (S&I)

• Effective team player who demonstrates a strong commitment to working with others; able to develop relationships and networks with a range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels. (S&I)

Additional Information

To apply for this position please submit a CV and a covering letter in which you describe your motivations for applying and how you meet the criteria in the person specification. You are advised to write no more than 3 pages and applications without a covering letter will be excluded from shortlisting. CVs should be no more than 3 pages long.

We encourage this role to operate using a hybrid working model. The post holder will be encouraged to work across all STFCs sites and will focus significant time working at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Harwell Oxfordshire) and Polaris House (Swindon Wiltshire). Depending on location there may be occasional travel with the costs covered by STFC.

We offer flexible working arrangements including the provision for some remote working. The post is available as full time part-time or job-share. Applicants should be open as to their desired working pattern when they apply.

Other locations may be considered such as the Science and Technology Facilities Council Daresbury Laboratory Warrington or the Science and Technology Facilities Council UK Astronomy Technology Centre Edinburgh.

There may be UK and potential international travel required based on business need.

Candidates may have backgrounds in research industry or the third sector including those considering returning to work from a career break health change or caring responsibility.

Please contact FAO the recruiting manager if you have any questions including working patterns and travel requirements.

STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days annual leave 10.5 public and privilege holidays flexible working hours exceptional average salary pension scheme social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role we have the freedom to explore learn and connect as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.

As one of Europes largest research organisations this is a place where theres always something new to learn about the world around us about your career but most of all about yourself.

Join us and discover whats possible!

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 or contact .