Business Case Manager

Role overview

This position sits within the UK Health Security Campus (UKHSC) Programme, working as part of the Business Case function and the broader programme delivery team. The programme’s purpose is to deliver modern, fit-for-purpose science facilities and establish a hub for the scientific capabilities needed to support the UK’s health security priorities. A key part of this work is replacing and upgrading existing UKHSA infrastructure, especially its high-containment laboratories, which play a critical role in defending the country against highly infectious diseases.

In this role, you will lead and support the full lifecycle development of tailored Green Book five-case model business cases to secure approval and funding for infrastructure projects linked to the programme. These projects are expected to be moderate to highly complex and may range in value from £100m to £2bn.

The post is aligned to the Project Delivery Capability Framework career pathway at Business Case Manager SEO level.

Key duties

• Plan, coordinate, draft and oversee the production of programme business cases, ensuring they reflect all relevant organisational change factors and comply with Green Book standards.
• Write specific sections of business cases in collaboration with assigned case leads and other stakeholders.
• Advise project teams on business case expectations, the HMT five-case model, and the approval requirements that apply.
• Set out approval pathways and prepare the supporting papers needed for board or committee submissions, making sure actions are assigned and progressed effectively.
• Apply lessons from comparable programmes to improve future business case work.
• Develop methods that help preserve business case validity across the project lifecycle.
• Work with stakeholders to identify and manage benefits, keep the case affordable, and support the correct procurement approach.
• Identify project risks and issues, create mitigation responses, escalate where needed, and coordinate with linked projects to manage dependencies.
• Use digital tools and data analysis to strengthen business cases, test project viability, and monitor benefits realisation.
• Contribute actively to the UKHSA Project Delivery Profession Community.
• Carry out any other duties reasonably requested by the line manager, in line with evolving team, directorate and organisational needs.

Candidate profile

You should bring experience in developing business cases, ideally in a project delivery setting, along with the ability to identify, plan and track benefits. A working understanding of governance, budgeting, cost control, risk and issue management, and business change implementation is important.

The role also calls for strong interpersonal skills, the confidence to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, and the ability to influence and challenge constructively. You should be comfortable using digital tools and data analysis to support decisions, and you must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present information appropriately for different audiences and timings.

A relevant project management qualification such as APM PMQ, PRINCE2, Agile or Better Business Cases, or equivalent knowledge and experience in project management, is expected.

Development and support

The successful applicant will be supported to work toward Government Project Delivery Accreditation if they do not already hold it.

Working arrangement and locations

This is a hybrid role linked to UKHSA Core HQ locations. The available core headquarters are Birmingham (23 Stephenson Street), Leeds (Quarry House), Liverpool (Cunard Building), and London (10 SC). You will need to work at one of these sites for at least 60% of your contractual hours, which is around 3 days per week on a pro rata basis averaged across a month, subject to business needs.

The organisation highlights that its core HQ offices are modern, recently refurbished and well connected by public transport, with co-location alongside other government departments such as DHSC.

Future location plans

UKHSA is investing in a new National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams now based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. The new site is expected to begin becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion planned by 2038. Staff will transition in phases as facilities become available. For roles currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, relocation support information will be shared closer to the transition.

Inclusion and culture

UKHSA describes itself as an inclusive employer that values equality of opportunity and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. The organisation says it aims to create a culture where differences are welcomed, protected and used to drive innovative solutions for staff and the wider community.

Selection process

The recruitment process uses Success Profiles and will assess behaviours, experience and technical skills.

Stage 1 is application and sift. Candidates must complete an application form and a supporting statement of no more than 1,000 words. Although the application platform may allow up to 1,500 words, anything beyond 1,000 words will not be considered. The supporting statement should explain how your skills, experience and knowledge match the essential criteria. The application form is intended to capture the type of information usually included in a CV, but CV uploads are not accepted and candidates should not send a CV by email.

If there are many applications, longlisting may place applicants into three groups: those meeting all essential criteria, those meeting some, and those meeting none. Only the group meeting all essential criteria would move forward to shortlisting.

If an initial sift is needed, the lead criterion will be experience of business case development, preferably in a project delivery environment. Successful candidates will then progress to interview.

Stage 2 is a single remote interview. The interview will assess behaviours, experience and technical skills. The behaviours listed are Leadership, Communication and Influencing, Working Together, and Delivering at Pace. The technical skill focus is project delivery experience. Interview dates have not yet been confirmed.

Eligibility and checks

This opportunity is open to external applicants, including people outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants. Where a qualification or registration is required, successful applicants must provide satisfactory evidence before employment can start.

Reward and benefits

The salary is £41,983, and UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,162 toward Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme membership. The employer contribution to the Civil Service pension is 28.97%.

• Role-specific learning and development support
• Flexible working options
• An inclusive workplace culture that values diversity
• Civil Service pension with a generous employer contribution

Artificial intelligence guidance

AI tools may be used to help prepare an application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and based on the applicant’s own experience. Plagiarism or presenting AI-generated content as personal experience may result in withdrawal of the application, and internal candidates may face disciplinary action.

Other notes

The job description and person specification may be updated as team, directorate or organisational needs change.

The vacancy materials mention that reasonable adjustments will be considered during the recruitment process to support fairness for all candidates. If an adjustment is needed, it should be requested during the process.