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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.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, impactful work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a movement that strengthens the UK’s global leadership in vaccine science.
- Why this job: Make a real-world difference in vaccine development and patient access.
- Qualifications: PhD or Master’s in relevant field and 5+ years in clinical research management.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) provided pay range
This 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 range
Be 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
✨Tip Number 1
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, the better your chances of landing that Senior Programme Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in clinical research and project management. Share specific examples of how you've improved processes or led successful trials – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After interviews or networking events, drop a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you’ll be one step closer to making a real-world difference in vaccine innovation.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Programme Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Programme Manager role. Highlight your experience in clinical research and project management, especially any work with multi-site trials or collaborations with NHS and academic partners.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about vaccine innovation. Share specific examples of how you've led projects that made a real impact, and connect your skills to the goals of the UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership style! Use your application to demonstrate how you've successfully managed complex programmes and engaged stakeholders at all levels. Concrete examples will make your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape the future of public health.
How to prepare for a job interview at NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research)
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest vaccine innovations and clinical trial processes. Brush up on the UK health and care research landscape, especially NIHR networks 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 of how you've successfully led complex programmes in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Highlight your ability to coordinate across multiple partners and drive measurable outcomes, as this is crucial for the Senior Programme Manager role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your strong engagement skills by discussing how you've built relationships with pharmaceutical companies, NHS Trusts, and academic partners. Be ready to share strategies you’ve used to foster collaboration and streamline processes, as this will be key to your success in the position.
✨Turn Insights into Action
Think about how you can turn insights from previous projects into actionable improvements. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you’ve optimised processes or enhanced efficiency in trial setups. This will show your proactive approach and commitment to driving innovation in vaccine delivery.