ARIA Programme Director

How we'll support you

We will give you everything you need to move quickly, including:

• A world-class operating team built to help ambitious programmes move quickly — from programme design and funding processes through to delivery;
• Dedicated technical and programme support — helping you sharpen your programme theses and manage your portfolios end to end, from assessing technical feasibility and selecting projects to tracking delivery and managing performance;
• Proven funding mechanisms and operational infrastructure — freeing you to exercise judgement, build communities and get the right work underway;
• Access to ARIA’s networks – across science, technology, government, industry and venture, helping you find the people, places and partners your programmes need;
• An exceptional community of peers and leaders — your cohort, existing PDs, advisors, mentors and ARIA’s executive team — who will stretch your ambition, sharpen your technical judgement and push your programmes towards the edge of what might be possible;
• Support from ARIA’s Activation Partners – bringing specialist expertise, tools, facilities and translation support to help turn promising technical progress into ventures, partnerships and other routes to real-world impact.

Who You Are

We don't expect any single candidate to tick every box; however, standout applicants will demonstrate a majority of these qualities:

• You see potential within our existing opportunity spaces to design and launch new programmes that deliver societal and economic impact to the UK;
• You believe the UK is the right place to maximise your impact, and you’re committed to spending your time here building the communities, partnerships and programmes needed to advance ARIA’s public-service mission;
• You're intrinsically motivated to have an outsized impact on the world and solve a major, meaningful problem;
• You're deeply technical in at least one field, and open to exploring others;
• You can take a scientific or technical vision from idea to execution — whether that means building a start-up, running a research lab, creating a technical community, or launching something new;
• You have the imagination and judgement to see where AI capabilities, from frontier models to autonomous science, could shift major bottlenecks in technical fields — and the foresight to design programmes that can leverage these rapidly developing capabilities as well as test whether they genuinely can address the bottlenecks;
• You have worked in a fast-paced environment, and you're comfortable with uncertainty;
• You can unite others towards ambitious goals, empower people, handle hard conversations, and make difficult decisions — demonstrating thoughtful, decisive leadership;
• You communicate clearly and persuasively with different types of stakeholders, adapting your approach to technical and non-technical audiences;
• You’re resilient and self-motivated, maintaining momentum and a high quality bar through setbacks, uncertainty and changing circumstances, while empowering those around you;
• You're highly curious, you find possibilities where others don't;
• You're able to spend your time in the UK and show strong commitment to ARIA and public service;
• You have an idea of a set of problems you want to solve (but you don't have to have a fully baked vision).

Eligibility

You Will

• Have significant depth of knowledge and expertise within at least one scientific research, engineering or technology field - and experience of carrying out research in that field;
• Bring experience beyond traditional academic research – whether through work outside academia or engagement with industry and translational research.
• Make ARIA your primary professional focus. This is a full-time role, although we are open to discussing an 80% commitment with exceptional candidates where this would still allow them to fulfil the role effectively;
• Be able to travel regularly across the UK – and occasionally abroad – to attend in-person meetings and events and engage with the researchers, Creators, companies, start-ups, technical communities and other stakeholders who will help shape your programmes.
• Spend a minimum of three days per week at ARIA HQ during the first and third weeks of every month to optimise collaboration with your cohort, the previous cohort of PDs, and the broader ARIA team;

If you’re appointed, you must:

• Have, or be able to obtain, the right to work in the UK. ARIA is a registered funder and can sponsor eligible candidates and their families through the Global Talent Visa route. Some international applicants may be subject to additional security and vetting checks;
• Successfully complete the required national security vetting.

Benefits

• 27 days annual leave provision, with the option to buy/sell additional days
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Supportive environment for learning and development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave arrangements
• A free and confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme
• Life Assurance
• 2 days of paid volunteer days
• 5% defined contribution pension scheme with Smart Pension
• Cycle to Work scheme
• An excellent office location in Kings X, London

Note: We’ve carefully considered Programme Director compensation. Aiming to attract diverse career stages, disciplines, and sectors, we offer a competitive package relative to benchmarks, ensuring all Programme Directors feel like equal peers. The total compensation is consistent for all incoming Programme Directors.

Not sure you meet 100% of our criteria? Don’t worry! If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We want to attract the broadest array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interests and what you hope to bring to this role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please notify us and we will make every effort to accommodate you. Disclosing any requests are intended to provide ARIA with the best opportunity to support candidates and will have no negative impact on your recruitment process.

Please note; You will be