At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead delivery of innovative health insights and technologies across the UK.
- Company: Join Newcastle University, a global leader in research and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and a commitment to diversity.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on health decisions and innovations at a national level.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in managing complex projects.
The predicted salary is between 58225 - 61759 £ per year.
Salary: £58,225 - £61,759, with progression to £67,468 per annum.
Closing Date: 26 July 2026.
We are recruiting for the NIHR Innovation Observatory as Head of Delivery. The Innovation Observatory (IO) supports decision‑making across the UK health and care system through the provision of timely insights and early evidence on emerging technologies and innovations. Our work enables more effective and efficient decisions across policy, commissioning and system preparedness, and requires a careful balance between analytical rigour and public accountability.
The role provides the coordination and control necessary to ensure that delivery remains credible, proportionate and sustainable, and that external activity, partnerships and new opportunities are aligned with organisational capacity and contractual commitments. Working closely with the Director and Senior Leadership Team, the role ensures that ambition across the organisation is matched by deliverable plans and operational clarity.
This is a role for someone able to operate credibly in a highly accountable environment, bringing structure and clarity to complex organisational demands and enabling sustained, high‑quality delivery at a national level.
To apply for this position, please submit a CV and cover letter outlining how you meet the essential qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience for this position.
For an informal conversation please contact Professor Dawn Craig, Director of NIHR Innovation Observatory, dawn.craig@newcastle.ac.uk.
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme. In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
