National Physical Laboratory

About the Role Our world-leading Time & Frequency department is seeking a Head of Customer Engagement and Adoption Strategy. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme, we are developing a world-first resilient time distribution capability that will provide industry with a robust complement to satellite systems (such as GPS) - which are increasingly vulnerable to disruption from solar storms, jamming and spoofing. This will underpin essential services, including Telecommunications, Online banking, Emergency response, Transport networks, and Wider digital and data-driven operations. Together, these services form the backbone of modern society - and your leadership will help ensure they remain secure, reliable and robust even if global navigation satellite systems fail. Key Responsibilities: This is an exciting role offering scope to shape the adoption of a world-first resilient timing capability and partner with senior stakeholders across government and industry. You will: Define and lead the adoption strategy and go-to-market approach for NTC resilient timing services, in collaboration with PNTO and other partner organisations, ensuring successful customer adoption at scale for the UK Lead market insight and customer needs analysis, translating market requirements into actionable plans that shape NTC products, services and future development. Build and maintain strategic stakeholder relationships across government, regulators, industry and key customers to maximise programme outcomes and adoption. Own the external engagement strategy, communications narrative and market positioning of the NTC, raising awareness of resilient timing services and their importance to UK critical infrastructure. Drive benefits realisation and programme outcomes, working with Senior Leadership Team colleagues to maximise impact and ensure operational requirements are embedded from design through deployment About You To be successful in this role, you will have the following skills, experience, and qualifications: Essential: Experience developing and delivering customer engagement, stakeholder management and go-to-market strategies for complex programmes, products or services. Degree-qualified (or equivalent professional experience) in Business, Marketing, Communications, Public Policy, Engineering or related discipline. Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and build strategic partnerships across government, industry and regulatory environments Desirable: Experience developing and delivering market adoption strategies for emerging technologies, products or services Knowledge of CNI, telecommunications or resilient digital services. Experience leading high-performing teams within a complex, matrixed or regulated environment Experience shaping policy through engagement with government, regulators or standards bodies. Experience delivering international engagement strategies and building global stakeholder networks We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. However, to work in this role in the National Timing department, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance. Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical. About Us The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme. At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we're creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page. We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we're always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.

This is an exciting time to join NPL as the organisation embraces the mission and opportunity to provide the measurement capability that underpins the UK's prosperity and quality of life. NPL's vision is to deliver extraordinary impact from excellent science and engineering as an exemplary national laboratory. This mission reaffirms the pivotal role the organisation plays in supporting the UK's national challenges as well as the needs of industry. We work in a hybrid way, with a mix of remote and office working (minimum two days onsite in Teddington). Our close knit, supportive and experienced People Team are looking for an experienced People Partner who loves working closely with leaders and teams to embed change, improve capability and empower managers to resolve ER issues effectively. You will be a trusted partner who will play a key role in delivering people initiatives. You will be a pivotal member of the People Team, this role promises a stretching experience with the opportunity to positively impact the NPL journey and boost the engagement of a diverse and talented workforce. You will enjoy working closely with leaders and teams to embed change, improve capability and empower managers to resolve ER issues effectively. You will be a trusted partner who will play a key role in delivering people initiatives. Role Focus This is a role of many parts where you will be part of a team that's advising, guiding and coaching managers to help us deliver our mission and vision. You will: • Work in partnership with a Strategic People Partner supporting specific business areas, and with specialist People team functions, to promote and support engagement, talent management resourcing, workforce management, team wellbeing, D&I and L&D initiatives, working to build a high-performance culture • Provide advice and guidance on complex policy development, change and performance management to support business capability • Act as a subject matter expert on complex ER and policy issues, providing quality advice to managers and leaders, supporting them to make risk-informed, confident decisions to enable timely and effective resolution of matters • Support delivery of the People Strategy, taking ownership of specific allocated projects or parts of the annual People cycle, ensuring effective delivery and implementation • Drive continuous improvement to respond to evolving business and statutory requirements • Use data to provide informed advice based on analytics and business metrics • Manage, coach and develop People Advisers within the team and act as a mentor to colleagues when required Throughout your work, you will ensure that NPL's interactions with employees are fair, aligned with agreed processes and legally compliant across all employment touchpoints, while mitigating risk.

Our world-leading Time & Frequency departmentis seeking a Senior Software Engineer with expertise in Unix/Linux software development and containerisation. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. Backed by agovernment investment of £180 millionin theNational Timing Centre (NTC) programme, we are developi click apply for full job details

Our world-leading Time & Frequency departmentseekaEnterprise Architectto lead cyber security architecture, assurance, and operational services. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority inprecision timingat a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. Backed by agovernment investment of £180 millionin theNational Timing Centre (NTC) programme, we are developing a world-firs click apply for full job details

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department seek aConfiguration Managerwith recent experience inconfiguration of hardware, software and documentation. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority inprecision timingat a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme, we are developing click apply for full job details

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department is seeking a Supply Chain Assurance Specialist with proven expertise in Public Procurement and Supplier Assurance. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme , we are developing a world-first resilient time distribution capability that will provide industry with a robust complement to satellite systems Key Responsibilities: Coordinate and deliver supply chain assurance activity across relevant suppliers, procurements, and contracts. Analyse supplier information and apply specialist knowledge to assess supplier capability, capacity, resilience, and risk as part of procurement and contract assurance activity. Support supplier selection processes by reviewing, evaluating, and assessing information provided against public sector selection criteria. Provide clear advice and guidance to internal stakeholders on supplier assurance, risk, compliance, and due diligence requirements. Ensure assurance activity is undertaken in line with the Procurement Act 2023 and wider public sector procurement principles. Review and assess supplier information relating to financial standing, technical capability, modern slavery, business continuity, cyber security, and other relevant assurance areas. Identify supply chain risks, coordinate proportionate assurance responses, and recommend practical mitigations and controls. Maintain accurate assurance records, audit trails, and management reporting information. Work closely with procurement, supply chain, operational, legal, and security teams to support robust supplier governance. Contribute to the continuous improvement of supplier assurance processes, templates, controls, and reporting. Support consistent and proportionate application of assurance standards across the supplier lifecycle. This role will require you to work in a hybrid settling with expected 2/3 days at our Teddington site.

Senior Portfolio Officer Location: Teddington (Hybrid - typically 2 days per week on site, with flexibility to reduce to 1 day depending on business need) Shape Change at the Heart of NPL The Portfolio Office sits at the centre of NPL's change agenda. We provide integrated oversight, governance, prioritisation, assurance and insight across NPL's internal and external portfolios - enabling the right change to be delivered at the right time, in the right way, with the right support. We are now seeking a Senior Portfolio Officer to take a visible, influential leadership role within this model. This is not a passive or purely coordinating PMO role - it is a hands on, delivery facing leadership position where your judgement, challenge and assurance directly influence outcomes. Operating within a Hub and Spoke model Based centrally within the Portfolio Office (the Hub), and Embedded within a major programme (a Spoke), flexing to where senior governance, assurance and decision support are most needed. You will be expected to spend around two days per week on site in Teddington, building strong relationships and providing effective challenge face to face. This may reduce to one day per week over time, but candidates must be comfortable with hybrid working and flexibility. What You'll Be Doing Lead Governance & Assurance You will take ownership of assurance activity across programmes and projects, ensuring it is robust, proportionate and genuinely adds value. Lead health checks, start up reviews, stage gates and deep dive assurance activity Ensure governance cycles run effectively, with clear, high quality evidence presented to boards and committees Provide independent, constructive challenge to test readiness, controls and delivery confidence Capture lessons learned and embed them across the portfolio Operate as a Senior Leader This role requires demonstrable leadership. You'll be expected to set direction, influence outcomes and act as a trusted authority - not simply work within existing structures. Act as a senior point of contact for delivery teams on PPM frameworks, standards and assurance expectations Provide leadership and direction to Portfolio Office colleagues when embedded in programmes Communicate confidently and credibly with senior sponsors, executives and board level stakeholders Be comfortable challenging assumptions and decisions in a constructive, evidence based way Manage Risk, Dependencies & Value You'll play a key role in ensuring NPL understands where its real risks and value lie. Monitor and escalate major risks, issues and dependencies surfaced through governance and assurance Ensure RAID information is credible, consistent and aligned to agreed standards Provide informed commentary on benefits, outcomes and value delivery Champion a culture of benefits realisation and value led decision making Provide Financial & Portfolio Insight When embedded within programmes, you'll support financial discipline and portfolio level insight. Support budget tracking, forecasting and financial inputs Provide analysis to inform prioritisation, sequencing and resource planning Contribute to evidence based decision making at portfolio level Drive Continuous Improvement You won't just operate the system - you'll improve it. Lead enhancements to governance frameworks, assurance approaches and portfolio processes Benchmark against external good practice to keep NPL's standards credible and effective Actively shape how the Portfolio Office evolves as a Centre of Excellence About You Essential Significant experience in a senior PMO, Portfolio Office or assurance role within complex change environments Strong understanding of portfolio, programme and project governance and assurance Proven ability to lead, influence and challenge senior stakeholders, not just collaborate Excellent analytical skills, sound judgement and confident communication Comfortable operating in delivery facing environments where credibility matters Highly Desirable Experience working within a Hub and Spoke or Centre of Excellence model Background in complex, multi stakeholder or public sector organisations Professional qualification or equivalent experience (e.g. APM, MSP, P3O) Experience supporting portfolio prioritisation and benefits led decision making We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.

About the Role Ourworld-leading Time & Frequency departmentis seeking a Software Engineer. This is an exceptionalopportunity to join theglobalauthority in precision timing at a defining moment for UKdigitalinfrastructure. Backed by agovernment investment of £180 millionin theNational Timing Centre (NTC) programme, we are developing aworld-firstresilient time distribution capability that willprovide indu click apply for full job details

About the Role Ourworld-leading Time & Frequency departmentis seeking a Software Engineer. This is an exceptionalopportunity to join theglobalauthority in precision timing at a defining moment for UKdigitalinfrastructure. Backed by agovernment investment of £180 millionin theNational Timing Centre (NTC) programme, we are developing aworld-firstresilient time distribution capability that willprovide indu click apply for full job details

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department seek a Configuration Manager with recent experience in configuration of hardware, software and documentation. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme, we are develo click apply for full job details

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department is seeking a Supply Chain Assurance Specialist with proven expertise in Public Procurement and Supplier Assurance. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme , we are developing a world-first resilient time distribution capability that will provide industry with a robust complement to satellite systems Key Responsibilities: Coordinate and deliver supply chain assurance activity across relevant suppliers, procurements, and contracts. Analyse supplier information and apply specialist knowledge to assess supplier capability, capacity, resilience, and risk as part of procurement and contract assurance activity. Support supplier selection processes by reviewing, evaluating, and assessing information provided against public sector selection criteria. Provide clear advice and guidance to internal stakeholders on supplier assurance, risk, compliance, and due diligence requirements. Ensure assurance activity is undertaken in line with the Procurement Act 2023 and wider public sector procurement principles. Review and assess supplier information relating to financial standing, technical capability, modern slavery, business continuity, cyber security, and other relevant assurance areas. Identify supply chain risks, coordinate proportionate assurance responses, and recommend practical mitigations and controls. Maintain accurate assurance records, audit trails, and management reporting information. Work closely with procurement, supply chain, operational, legal, and security teams to support robust supplier governance. Contribute to the continuous improvement of supplier assurance processes, templates, controls, and reporting. Support consistent and proportionate application of assurance standards across the supplier lifecycle. This role will require you to work in a hybrid settling with expected 2/3 days at our Teddington site.

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department seek a Configuration Manager with recent experience in configuration of hardware, software and documentation. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme, we are develo click apply for full job details

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department is seeking a experienced Systems Engineer with proven expertise in application of Systems Engineering principles and systems development approaches. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure click apply for full job details

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department seek a Configuration Manager with recent experience in configuration of hardware, software and documentation. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme, we are develo click apply for full job details

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department and NTC Programme are seeking an Environments Manager with proven expertise in managing both hardware and platform environments. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) progr click apply for full job details

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department is seeking a Supply Chain Assurance Specialist with proven expertise in Public Procurement and Supplier Assurance. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme , we are developing a world-first resilient time distribution capability that will provide industry with a robust complement to satellite systems Key Responsibilities: Coordinate and deliver supply chain assurance activity across relevant suppliers, procurements, and contracts. Analyse supplier information and apply specialist knowledge to assess supplier capability, capacity, resilience, and risk as part of procurement and contract assurance activity. Support supplier selection processes by reviewing, evaluating, and assessing information provided against public sector selection criteria. Provide clear advice and guidance to internal stakeholders on supplier assurance, risk, compliance, and due diligence requirements. Ensure assurance activity is undertaken in line with the Procurement Act 2023 and wider public sector procurement principles. Review and assess supplier information relating to financial standing, technical capability, modern slavery, business continuity, cyber security, and other relevant assurance areas. Identify supply chain risks, coordinate proportionate assurance responses, and recommend practical mitigations and controls. Maintain accurate assurance records, audit trails, and management reporting information. Work closely with procurement, supply chain, operational, legal, and security teams to support robust supplier governance. Contribute to the continuous improvement of supplier assurance processes, templates, controls, and reporting. Support consistent and proportionate application of assurance standards across the supplier lifecycle. This role will require you to work in a hybrid settling with expected 2/3 days at our Teddington site.

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department is seeking a Supply Chain Assurance Specialist with proven expertise in Public Procurement and Supplier Assurance. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the global authority in precision timing at a defining moment for UK digital infrastructure. Backed by a government investment of £180 million in the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme , we are developing a world-first resilient time distribution capability that will provide industry with a robust complement to satellite systems Key Responsibilities: Coordinate and deliver supply chain assurance activity across relevant suppliers, procurements, and contracts. Analyse supplier information and apply specialist knowledge to assess supplier capability, capacity, resilience, and risk as part of procurement and contract assurance activity. Support supplier selection processes by reviewing, evaluating, and assessing information provided against public sector selection criteria. Provide clear advice and guidance to internal stakeholders on supplier assurance, risk, compliance, and due diligence requirements. Ensure assurance activity is undertaken in line with the Procurement Act 2023 and wider public sector procurement principles. Review and assess supplier information relating to financial standing, technical capability, modern slavery, business continuity, cyber security, and other relevant assurance areas. Identify supply chain risks, coordinate proportionate assurance responses, and recommend practical mitigations and controls. Maintain accurate assurance records, audit trails, and management reporting information. Work closely with procurement, supply chain, operational, legal, and security teams to support robust supplier governance. Contribute to the continuous improvement of supplier assurance processes, templates, controls, and reporting. Support consistent and proportionate application of assurance standards across the supplier lifecycle. This role will require you to work in a hybrid settling with expected 2/3 days at our Teddington site.