Location
Hybrid working based at UKHSA Scientific Campus, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ. Hybrid model requires a minimum of 60% of contractual hours (approx. 3 days per week) on-site.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£68,626 - £70,566 per annum, pro-rata (Civil Service Grade 7 Upper)

About the Role
We are seeking a Scheme Organiser to provide strong and effective leadership and management of the Food and Environmental Proficiency Testing Unit (FEPTU) staff and services. You will role model the organisation's values by being inspirational, confident and empowering. You will be responsible and accountable for all FEPTU functions including safety, strategic/business continuity, financial activities, risk management, and administrative/logistic functions to ensure maximum productivity within allocated resources and budgets, meeting agreed performance and quality standards in line with UKHSA policies.

You will lead the development of FEPTU’s national and international services, define strategic direction, and ensure alignment with wider public health outcomes. Collaborative working with other UKHSA teams within Public Health Microbiology is essential.

Key responsibilities include ensuring compliance with safety, governance and statutory requirements; communicating complex information clearly to diverse audiences; providing expert scientific advice on quality assurance; maintaining transparent communication channels; leading business development and innovation; and building strong collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.

You will manage staff and resources effectively, lead workforce development, and represent EQA Services nationally and internationally. You will ensure microbiological standards are maintained, coordinate research projects, and promote EQA/PT services.

Additional responsibilities include managing budgets, developing long-term strategies and policies, ensuring compliance with ISO standards, and overseeing health and safety including COSHH requirements.

This role may require supporting UKHSA’s incident response activities as needed.

Experience
- PhD (or equivalent experience) in public health, medical microbiology, or food, water and environmental microbiology, or a postgraduate qualification with demonstrable experience coordinating international microbiology EQA/PT schemes.
- Postgraduate management qualification (e.g. MSc, MBA, HSM) and/or equivalent senior management experience.
- Knowledge and experience of clinical and/or FW&E lab procedures including lab safety, quality and regulatory requirements.
- Proven stakeholder management skills, building and sustaining relationships across multidisciplinary teams, external partners and international networks.
- Experience in risk management and strategic planning with understanding of internal and external operating environments.
- Significant leadership and management experience in microbiology labs or international EQA/PT schemes, including developing high performing teams and driving continuous improvement.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, able to convey complex information clearly and concisely.

About you
- Understanding of organisational structures, priorities and ways of working within a public health setting (desirable).
- Experience reviewing and improving processes to deliver efficient and cost-effective services (desirable).
- Experience in data collection, analysis and surveillance of infection/disease (desirable).
- Ability to work across organisational boundaries and engage with colleagues at all levels (desirable).

Qualifications
- PhD or equivalent experience as above.
- Postgraduate management qualification or equivalent senior management experience.
- Successful candidates must pass a Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance prior to appointment.