Location
Colindale Scientific Campus, North London (Hybrid working model with minimum 60% on-site attendance)

Hours
Full Time (Standard Civil Service hours)

Salary
£68,626 - £70,566 per annum (Grade 7 Upper)

About the Role
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is dedicated to preventing, preparing for, and responding to infectious diseases and environmental hazards to protect public health and livelihoods. We are seeking a Scheme Organiser for the Food and Environmental Proficiency Testing Unit (FEPTU) to provide strong, effective leadership and management of staff and services within the unit.

As Scheme Organiser, you will be responsible and accountable for all FEPTU functions, supporting External Quality Assessment (EQA) operations and deliverables. Your role includes oversight of safety, strategic and business continuity, financial activities, risk management, and administrative functions to ensure maximum productivity within allocated resources and budgets, adhering to UKHSA policies and quality standards.

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

Key responsibilities include:
- Providing effective leadership to ensure service delivery complies with safety, governance, and statutory requirements
- Communicating complex information clearly to diverse audiences
- Offering expert scientific advice on quality assurance to support decision-making and public health outcomes
- Maintaining transparent communication channels to support accountability and service resilience
- Leading business development through market intelligence and stakeholder engagement to promote growth and innovation
- Building strong collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders to foster continuous improvement and high performance

This role requires strategic oversight of service delivery, budget management, quality assurance compliance (including ISO standards), and ensuring health and safety regulations are met. You will also represent EQA services nationally and internationally, lead research projects, and promote the unit’s services.

The role offers a hybrid working model, with flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance.

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
- Proven knowledge of clinical and/or food, water and environmental laboratory procedures including lab safety, quality, and regulatory requirements
- Demonstrable experience in stakeholder management, building and sustaining relationships across multidisciplinary teams, external partners, and international networks
- Experience in risk management and strategic planning with a clear understanding of internal and external operating environments
- Significant leadership and management experience in microbiology laboratories or international EQA/PT schemes, including developing high performing teams and driving continuous improvement
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely, both written and oral

About You
- Inspirational, confident, and empowering leader who role models organisational values
- Strong collaborator with the ability to foster open communication and continuous improvement
- Strategic thinker with the ability to analyse complex data and make informed judgements
- Committed to promoting an inclusive culture and equality of opportunity
- Able to work effectively across organisational boundaries and engage with colleagues at all levels

Qualifications
- PhD or equivalent experience in relevant microbiology or public health field
- Postgraduate management qualification or equivalent senior management experience
- Evidence of continuous professional development and workforce development planning
- Security clearance eligibility (Counter-Terrorist Check level) and residency requirements as per role