Strategy and Operations Lead, Executive Office, ARIA
Salary C. £85,000 per annum
HQ Central London, 3 days a week in the office
‘’We are looking for a Strategy and Operations Lead who can combine strategic thinking with a hands-on, operational approach. We need someone who loves solving problems and collaborating across an organisation to deliver impact at pace. This role will report into the Chief of Staff, supporting them to build and maintain world-class operational leadership, coordination, governance, and culture at ARIA.”
About ARIA
Launched in January 2023 with an £800M budget, ARIA is the UK’s new Advanced Research and Invention Agency. We support ambitious R&D beyond the reach of the current system, creating transformative science & technology capabilities that benefit the UK and help humanity. With an unprecedented level of independence and operational flexibility, ARIA was custom-built to take high-risk, bold and experimental bets. We are building a small team with diverse experiences and networks, who will work intensely and collaboratively to create a better future with science and technology.
Role Summary
This is a crucial role in building ARIA into a world-changing organisation. Reporting into the Chief of Staff, this role will provide fast-moving strategic and delivery capability to enable ARIA to meet its ambitious objectives. This includes leading on high-impact projects, supporting across all organisational coordination - including strategic planning - and being secretariat to the board and executive team. Above all, you’ll need a flexible mindset, willing to step into any problem that the organisation needs you to solve.
What You’ll Do
The scope of the role will evolve as ARIA continues to grow, but will broadly involve the following:
● Propose, launch and execute special projects.
● Lead on fast-response strategic support to the board and executive team.
● Support the Chief of Staff across all executive and cross-organisational coordination, strategic planning, managing the ARIA working guide and internal communications to maintain a strong culture and effective organisation.
● Lead on a wide range of cross-functional processes and capabilities (e.g. Inclusivity, Information Security & Governance)
● Secretariat for the board and executive team, including production of board reports.
● Manage corporate performance and impact reporting, including the ARIA Annual Report and corporate reporting.
Who You Are
● You have experience in a start-up, strategy consulting or delivering at pace in government.
● You are a doer. You thrive on high throughput and strategic execution.
● You are a creative, highly resourceful problem solver and a fast learner.
● You are comfortable tackling problems outside of your experience and can combine research with first-principles thinking to solve them.
● You are a highly effective and structured communicator, able to flex your communication style towards different stakeholders and team members.
● You are incredibly organised, able to bring order to the world around you and balance many competing priorities at once.
● You are comfortable with uncertainty and thrive in a highly dynamic, fast-paced and early-stage startup environment. This means you’re willing to take on any problem that your team needs you to.
● You are passionate about improving the world with science and motivated by the opportunity to build an iconic and world-changing organisation.
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.
Recruitment Process
On the link to apply you will be asked to submit your CV along with a personal statement of no more than 2 pages of A4, explaining your interest in and suitability for the role.
Recruitment Timeline
Monday 22nd May – application close date. You may receive a call on or before this date for an initial chat about your application.
W/C Monday 15th May - Pre-Screening Calls.Should your application be shortlisted, you will be invited to a 15-minute call with Dan Cole – Chief of Staff.
Thursday 25th May – Final Shortlist
W/C Monday 5th June – Interviews
Wednesday 7th to Wednesday 14th June – In-Person Office Visit at ARIA HQ. If your application is progressed following the formal interview, you will be invited into ARIA HQ to meet the team.
