Senior Strategy Advisor Visa Sponsorship Uk
Job Description
- Salary: £45,272 per annum
- Hours: Full Time (Condensed Hours / Flexible Working available)
- Contract Type: Fixed Term until September 2026 (secondments considered)
- Location: Polaris House, Swindon or Caxton House, London (Hybrid working)
- Grade: E
- Closing Date: Wednesday 1 October 2025
Job Overview
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is seeking a talented and motivated professional to join the Open Research Strategy team. This role will lead and support strategy, policy development, and implementation to advance UKRI’s open research ambitions.
You will play a key part in delivering the UKRI Open Access policy for monographs, book chapters, and edited collections, while also contributing to wider open access initiatives and responsible research assessment reform. The position involves working with stakeholders across the research, charity, and private sectors, and representing UKRI in both national and international contexts.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the implementation and strategic development of UKRI’s Open Access policy for long-form research outputs.
- Oversee delivery of a dedicated funding programme, including forecasting, budget planning, and reporting.
- Develop policy advice and options for senior decision-making, often within tight timescales.
- Engage and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders across research, government, and international communities.
- Act as Secretariat for internal and external groups, managing agendas, drafting papers, and coordinating actions.
- Support the Head of Team with strategic planning, project management, and evidence-based policy interventions.
- Contribute to cross-UKRI activities relating to research integrity, equality, inclusion, and research culture.
This role reports to a Strategy Lead in the Open Research team.
Person Specification
Essential Skills & Experience (assessed at shortlisting and interview):
- Strong knowledge of scholarly communication and open access, in the UK and globally.
- Ability to balance competing priorities and adapt in a fast-paced policy environment.
- Excellent organisational, planning, and project management skills.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building experience.
- Evidence-based problem-solving and policy development capabilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing high-level advice.
- Experience influencing and delivering through collaboration with senior stakeholders.
- Strong teamwork and willingness to contribute to wider organisational objectives.
Application Guidance
We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in your cover letter to clearly evidence how you meet the criteria above. Cover letters should be no more than two sides of A4 (minimum font size 11).
For STAR method guidance, please see the National Careers Service
Benefits
UKRI values its employees and offers a strong package, including:
- An excellent defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days’ annual leave plus 10.5 public/privilege days (FTE).
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Employee discounts on retail and leisure.
- Employee assistance programme for confidential support.
- Continuous learning and development opportunities.
More details can be found here: Benefits of working at UKRI
Visa Sponsorship Information
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity and Disability Confident Employer. Applicants who require Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are welcome to apply.
Please note:
- As part of the visa application, you and any dependants will be required to pay fees directly to the Home Office
- UKRI may reimburse some or all of these fees once employment has commenced. This can be discussed further with the Hiring Manager.
- For full details, please see the Skilled Worker visa guidance
We encourage early applications, as this vacancy may close before the advertised deadline.
