Senior Program Manager

The NIHR is seeking an outstanding Senior Programme Manager to lead some of the UK’s most influential healthcare research funding programmes. You will oversee the Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR), Programme Development Grants (PDG), and Mental Health Research Group (MHRG) schemes, while driving evaluations that demonstrate their real world impact on policy and practice. Your leadership will promote innovation, excellence and meaningful change across the health system. Working closely with the health and care research community, you will ensure NIHR funded applied research and training meet the diverse needs of UK populations and deliver tangible improvements for patients, services, and communities.

About Us: The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), partners with the NHS, universities, local government, other funders, patients, and the public to deliver world leading health and social care research that improves lives and drives economic growth. Our programmes include PGfAR and PDG, funding collaborative, multidisciplinary research to address health and social care challenges. PGfAR awards typically provide up to £2.5 million over five years, with the team managing over 300 grants across six annual funding rounds. The MHRG programme builds applied mental health research capacity in high need areas across England, through partnerships between universities with developing and established expertise, addressing local research priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead commissioning and monitoring for the PGfAR and PDG programmes, overseeing team delivery and quality standards.
• Provide oversight and support for the Mental Health Research Groups and feeder schemes, including development of impact evaluation plans.
• Contribute to and lead strategic programme and departmental initiatives, promoting shared learning and best practice across teams.
• Draft and maintain SOPs, guidance and templates; attend committees in a supervisory role and advise as required.
• Represent PGfAR/PDG and MHRG in cross NIHR groups, liaising with internal and external stakeholders and promoting programmes at events.
• Drive operational excellence by improving working practices, processes and reporting, including delivery of special projects.
• Line manage staff, including recruitment, mentoring, training and performance monitoring.
• Build strong professional relationships across NIHR, partner organisations, applicants and award holders, acting as a role model at all levels.

Qualifications & Experience Required Criteria:

• A degree in biomedical, health or social sciences.
• Grant management and research commissioning experience.
• Experience of working in a research management and commissioning.
• A track record in successful management of projects and programmes.
• Able to think strategically, interpreting complex information.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Excellent analytical and complex problem solving skills.

Desirable Criteria:

• A higher degree in a medical, scientific, technical or social discipline.
• Line management and staff development experience.
• Knowledge of the UK’s health and care research landscape.
• Solutions orientated with evidence of developing and implementing adaptable, practical and effective quality controlled processes and implementable recommendations.
• Cultural awareness/sensitivity, and evidence of a commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity.
• A continuous improvement mentality, with a desire to provide an effective and efficient research management service for all stakeholders.

Compensation, Benefits & Working Arrangements:

• Salary: £48,600 to £51,300 pa.
• Location: Twickenham, London / Hybrid working model.
• Contract Type: Full time 12 month FTC.
• Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week.
• Annual Leave: 25 days, plus UK public holidays.
• Employee Benefits Include: Annual, discretionary bonus, Enhanced Contributory Pension Scheme, Life Insurance Cover, Benenden Healthcare Membership, Training and Development Opportunities, Season Ticket Loan.

Application: If you are excited about the prospect of joining our team and believe you possess the relevant skills and background, we invite you to apply. Please submit your CV along with a 'Statement of Suitability' that showcases your key skills and experiences in relation to the 'Essential and Desirable Criteria' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with the NIHR. The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 19th February, with interviews to take place from W/C the 23rd February.

Inclusion and Diversity: LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership.