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- Tasks: Lead transformative vaccine projects and collaborate with top partners to enhance public health.
- Company: Join a pioneering programme shaping the future of vaccine innovation in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, pension scheme, and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact on vaccine development and improve lives globally.
- Qualifications: PhD or Master’s in biomedical sciences and 5+ years in clinical research management.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career growth and collaboration opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) provided pay rangeThis range is provided by NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research). Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay rangeBe part of the next chapter in vaccine innovation.
What if your next role helped transform how vaccines are developed and delivered across the UK and beyond?
At the NIHR , we\’re driving a bold mission to make the UK the world\’s best place to conduct vaccine research. And we\’re looking for a Senior Programme Manager with vision, precision and purpose to help make that happen.
About the Programme
The UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway (UK VIP) is reimagining the way clinical trials are designed, set up, and delivered, from infectious disease vaccines to the next generation of cancer therapeutics.
Building on the lessons from the pandemic, UK VIP brings together the NHS, academia and industry to accelerate vaccine research, improve patient access, and strengthen national readiness for future health challenges.
This is not just another programme, it\’s a movement shaping the future of public health.
Your Impact
As our Senior Programme Manager , you\’ll sit at the heart of this transformation. You\’ll coordinate across multiple partners, from leading pharmaceutical companies to cutting edge research centres, to make vaccine trials faster, smarter, and more effective.
Your work will:
Redefine how vaccine studies are delivered across the UK
Enable collaboration between the NHS, NIHR, and industry to streamline research and accelerate breakthroughs
Empower research teams to bring innovative vaccines to patients faster
Strengthen the UK\’s global leadership in vaccine science and clinical excellence
Every project you lead will help bring life changing vaccines closer to the people who need them most.
What You\’ll Do
Lead and coordinate key UK VIP workstreams, ensuring seamless delivery across national partners
Shape and optimise processes that speed up trial setup, improve recruitment, and enhance efficiency
Oversee governance, reporting, and performance across UK Vaccine Delivery Groups
Build powerful collaborations through the Vaccines Research Fora and Vaccine Innovation Fund
Turn insights into action, continuously improving how the UK delivers research
Required Criteria
Education: PhD or Master\’s in biomedical science, life sciences, or related field
Experience: 5+ years in clinical research programme/project management, including multi site trial setup and delivery within the UK NHS or academic research environment
Knowledge: In depth understanding of UK health and care research landscape (NIHR networks, governance, regulatory processes)
Leadership: Proven ability to lead complex, multi partner programmes with measurable outcomes in system/process improvement
Stakeholder Management: Strong engagement skills with pharmaceutical companies, NHS Trusts, and academic partners at senior levels
Governance & Oversight: Ability to design, implement, and monitor programme governance (reporting, risk management, performance dashboards)
Project Management: Advanced skills with recognised qualifications (PRINCE2, Agile, Lean) able to coordinate multiple interdependent workstreams
Strategic & Analytical: Capable of interpreting complex information, identifying interdependencies and driving operational improvements in research delivery
Desired Criteria
Experience managing multi partner, cross sector clinical research collaborations
Ability to redesign research processes or implement system wide improvements (trial setup, recruitment, delivery optimisation)
Strategic portfolio planning experience (aligning studies with NHS capacity and population needs)
Line management and team development skills to drive performance and accountability
Expertise in stakeholder engagement and public involvement initiatives (advisory fora, community strategies, consent-to-contact registries)
Strong IT proficiency for digital tools, dashboards, project management software and programme planning support
Why Join NIHR
At NIHR, your work doesn\’t just support research, it shapes the nation\’s health future. You\’ll join a passionate team working at the intersection of science, innovation, and policy with the opportunity to make a lasting national impact.
If you want to be part of something bigger, to help make the UK a global powerhouse in vaccine development, this is your opportunity.
Compensation, Benefits & Working Arrangements:
Salary: £48,600 to £51,300 (higher for exceptional candidates)
Location: Victoria, London / hybrid working model
Contract Type: Fixed‐Term (15 months: January 2026 – March 2027)
Employee Benefits Include:
Annual bonus
Enhanced Contributory Pension Scheme
Life Insurance Cover
Benenden Healthcare Membership
Training and Development Opportunities
Season Ticket Loan
NB: This is a hybrid role based at our office in Victoria, London, with a minimum requirement of one in‐office day per week. This requirement may increase based on team needs or operational demands.
How to Apply
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 \’Required & Desired Criteria\’ outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with the NIHR.
NB: Closing date for applications is 5pm on 27th October with the interviews to be held from the W/C the 3rd November.
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.
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Senior Programme Manager employer: NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research)
Contact Detail:
NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Programme Manager
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the vaccine research field! Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meetups. The more you engage with professionals, the better your chances of landing that Senior Programme Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in clinical research and project management. Share specific examples of how you've improved processes or led successful trials – this will set you apart from the crowd!
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your skills and connect with key players in the vaccine innovation space. Follow relevant companies and engage with their content to stay on their radar – you never know when an opportunity might pop up!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to apply directly through our website! It shows you're genuinely interested in the role and gives us a chance to see your application in the best light. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Programme Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV is your first impression, so make it count! Tailor it to highlight your experience in clinical research and project management, especially any work with multi-site trials or collaborations. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Senior Programme Manager.
Write a Standout Statement of Suitability: This is your chance to shine! Use the 'Statement of Suitability' to connect your skills and experiences directly to the required and desired criteria. Be specific about how you've led complex programmes and improved processes in the past—this is what we’re really looking for!
Show Your Passion for Vaccine Innovation: We’re not just looking for qualifications; we want to see your enthusiasm for making a difference in public health. Share why you’re excited about the UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway and how you envision contributing to this movement. Let your passion come through!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research)
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the UK health and care research landscape. Brush up on NIHR networks, governance, and regulatory processes. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading complex, multi-partner programmes. Think about specific projects where you drove measurable outcomes and improved systems or processes. Be ready to discuss how you can apply these skills to the UK VIP programme.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your strong engagement skills by discussing past experiences with pharmaceutical companies, NHS Trusts, and academic partners. Share how you’ve built powerful collaborations and what strategies you used to maintain those relationships.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific challenges related to trial setup, recruitment, or governance. Prepare to think on your feet and provide thoughtful, strategic responses that reflect your analytical capabilities and project management expertise.
