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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative vaccine research projects and collaborate with top industry partners.
- Company: Join NIHR, a leader in health innovation and vaccine development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, pension scheme, and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public health and shape the future of vaccine delivery.
- Qualifications: PhD or Master’s in biomedical sciences and 5+ years in clinical research management.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a passionate team dedicated to national health improvement.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 51000 £ per year.
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.
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! Reach out to your connections in the health and research sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or partners. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the NIHR and the UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway. Understand their mission and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Senior Programme Manager. Highlight your leadership skills and any successful collaborations you've led in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the NIHR team and contributing to 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 relevant experience in clinical research and project management, especially any work with multi-site trials or collaborations within the NHS.
Craft a Compelling Statement of Suitability: Your Statement of Suitability is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase how your skills align with the required and desired criteria. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role.
Show Your Passion for Vaccine Research: We want to see your enthusiasm for vaccine innovation! In your application, express why you’re excited about the opportunity to contribute to the UK Vaccine Innovation Pathway and how you can make an impact.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to complete your application smoothly.
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 of how you've successfully led complex, multi-partner programmes in the past. Highlight measurable outcomes and improvements you've driven. This is crucial for a Senior Programme Manager role, so be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you engage stakeholders.
✨Be Process Savvy
Familiarise yourself with project management methodologies like PRINCE2, Agile, or Lean. Be prepared to discuss how you've optimised processes in previous roles, especially in clinical research settings. This will demonstrate your ability to enhance efficiency and streamline trial setups.
✨Engage with Enthusiasm
Express your passion for vaccine innovation and public health during the interview. Share why you want to be part of the NIHR mission and how you can contribute to transforming vaccine research. A genuine enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.
