Lead the strategic direction, development, and delivery of National Capability Operations at the Met Office. Oversee a team of 400 staff, ensuring 24/7 services to agreed service levels. Develop and deliver strategies for efficient and agile cycling of National Capability development.
Key Highlights
Technical Skills Required
Benefits & Perks
Job Description
We are pleased to bring to the market the new role of Director of National Capability Operations at the Met Office.
As our Director of National Capability Operations, you will lead the strategic direction, development and delivery of the Operations within the National Capability domain, which comprises the Observations capability and the Data Production and Supply capability. These capabilities encompass the end-to-end production chain of National Capability services, from Observations to operational production of prediction and projection data, to the delivery of that data which passes over to our Met Office Products and Services domain.
Based in Exeter, your work will help deliver the underpinning science, observations and technology which enable us to improve our products and services.
World changing work
As one of the world's leading weather and climate organisations, the Met Office is a world leading scientific institution with a global reputation for excellence in weather and climate science and services. Our work supports everything from daily life and travel, to defence, agriculture, energy and emergency response.
Your world of expertise
The Met Office National Capability Domain includes all our underpinning science and the observations and technology which enable us to improve and deliver all Met Office products and services.
The Met Office is fundamentally dependent on its National Capability operations to ensure continued delivery of 24/7 services to customers and stakeholders, helping them make better decisions to stay safe and thrive.
As Director of National Capability Operations, you will report to the Managing Director of National Capability (who is also Met Office Chief Scientific Advisor), and will lead a team of approximately 400 staff who deliver programmes of work to ensure an appropriate balance between maintaining operations (run), investment in development of new services (grow) and transformation of Met Office capabilities to be fit for the future (transform).
Your key duties
- Overall accountability for the delivery of 24/7 NC services to agreed service levels, ensuring this supports the delivery of services to customers.
- An active member of the National Capability domain Leadership team overseeing delivery of strategy for the domain and wider Met Office strategy.
- As part of the NC leadership team, develop and deliver the strategy for efficient and agile cycling of National Capability development, from research to development to delivery into operations.
- To work closely with the Managing Director of National Capability and the Director of Research and Development to deliver outcomes that serve the Products and Services Domain
- Balance the deployment of skills and expertise to meet organisational objectives, managing risks that threaten service delivery including cyber security and ensuring behaviours and processes at an organisational level remain fit for purpose to meet customer commitments.
- Deployment of a area headcount of ~400, you will ensure an appropriate balance between maintaining operations (run), investment in development of new services (grow) and transformation of Met Office capabilities to be fit for the future (transform)
- Working with the Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO) to successfully deliver the changes arising from the new supercomputing service and ensuring these are embedded into the BAU technology organisation encompassing impacts to the workforce, supplier management and key processes.
- Fully accountable for the overall operating budget for National Capabilities Operations of £50m pa plus capital investment budget of up to £10m pa, and deploying a sustainable headcount of ~400FTE.
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' and in addition has achieved a place on both the UK's 'Best Workplaces in Tech' and 'Best Workplaces for Women' lists.
As our Director of National Capability Operations your total reward package is potentially worth in the range of £124,239 annually, which includes:
- Executive level base pay in the region of £90,000
- An outstanding Civil Service pension
- A discretionary performance related bonus
- 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
- A relocation package is available.
Essential Criteria, skills and experience
We are seeking a permanent appointment for an exceptional leader whose experience aligns with our criteria:
- Significant experience of leading large and diverse teams in a highly scientific and technical environment, often through high levels of ambiguity and organisational change
- Significant knowledge and experience of 24/7 weather and climate production and operations within a National Met Service
- Knowledge of implementation of research and development cycles in weather and climate applications
- A track record of networking and engagement with senior partners and stakeholders to foster collaboration and joint working to achieve common aims
Our selection process
To apply, follow the steps below which will include a Cover Letter/Supporting Statement for you to evidence your experience and skills against each of the essential criteria. Closing date Tuesday 20th January 2026 at 23:59.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a first stage interview which will take place from 6th February 2026.
How to apply
If you share our values, we'd love to hear from you. Apply below using your CV and a Cover Letter/Supporting Statement with evidence against each of the essential criteria. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills.
Closing date Tuesday 20th January 2026 at 23:59.
How we can help:
If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please contact us via . 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, 2 of these years must be immediately preceding the point of your application. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.