Scientific Strategic Head

We're looking for a Scientific Strategic Head of Research to Operations to help us make a difference to our planet.

As our Scientific Strategic Head, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work.

Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, but we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 25 hours per week and we will also try our best to consider those intending to work a job share. Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.

World changing work

From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are.

• We're a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact

• We're experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better

• We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making

• We're better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater

• We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

Your world of expertise

You will lead our Research to Operations (R2O) team in Weather Science. The R2O team develop, coordinate and deliver upgrades to our operational Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) systems and work with stakeholders to inform future NWP developments.

The R2O team collaborate with model development, observation applications and data assimilation scientists on research projects to improve components of the NWP systems and pull these through into operational use. They also liaise with the technology teams responsible for configuring and routinely running the operational forecasts to improve the processes for testing and delivering these developments. Finally, R2O scientists work closely with users of operational output, including operational forecasters, to understand the wider impacts of changes. This helps inform decision making during development projects and feeds back into the Met Office's future research plans.

Your key duties

As the Scientific Strategic Head of R2O in Weather Science you will:

• Provide strategic leadership in the development, co-ordination and delivery of upgrades to our operational NWP systems.

• Actively contribute to the Weather Science Management team, working effectively with peers to deliver across the sub-directorate.

• Work extensively with stakeholders to gather requirements for and plan future upgrades to our operational NWP systems.

• Liaise with external stakeholders such as counterparts in other national Met Services to share ideas.

• Continue to improve the Research to Operations function in the Met Office.

• Provide excellent people management to the Research to Operations team.

• Effectively manage cost, resources and skills within the team.

Why join us

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is accredited as a 'Great Place to Work UK 2023' and in addition has achieved a place on both the UK's 'Best Workplaces in Tech' and 'Best Workplaces for Women' lists.

As our Scientific Strategic Head, your total reward package will be up to £88,730 annually, which includes:

• £64,846 base pay

• An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 27%

• Relocation Assistance may be available

• Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave

Essential Criteria, skills and experience:

How to apply

If you share our values, we'd love to hear from you! Click apply to begin your application. Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills.

Closing date 10/11/2024 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 27/11/2024. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.

How we can help

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at .

If you're considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.

We understand that great minds don't always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.

We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.

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