Head of Evaluation

The Head of Evaluation will lead the development and delivery of a strategic high‑quality evaluation programme bringing together evaluation and insight on the outcomes of our funding and the mechanisms used to award it. This role is central to ensuring MRC’s investments in biomedical research are informed by robust evidence learning and impact assessment. You will work closely with colleagues across UKRI government departments, other funders and the wider research and innovation ecosystem to shape policy, improve practice and understanding and demonstrate the value of public investment in biomedical science.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership – develop and implement MRC’s evaluation strategy and direction to demonstrate outcomes and impact from MRC funding in the context of UKRI and the broader life sciences sector. Lead evaluation across MRC to ensure research and initiatives have suitable M&E activity including adequate resources committed and appropriate oversight implemented.
• Programme delivery – design and oversee a portfolio of monitoring and evaluation projects including impact and process evaluations, M&E plans support for Business Cases and thematic and portfolio reviews across MRC’s funding schemes and strategic initiatives. This will include evaluations delivered in house and externally commissioned.
• Insight and Integration – provide strategic oversight to ensure analytical outputs are aligned with MRC’s strategy and policy priorities and broader UKRI objectives. Translate complex evidence into clear actionable insights that inform decision‑making, bridge the gap between policy and analysis and support the development of robust intelligence‑led strategies across MRC’s funding portfolio.
• Stakeholder Engagement – build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders including other funders and policymakers to ensure methods are robust and up to date and insights from evaluation are relevant, credible and used effectively.
• Methodological Expertise – provide expert advice on evaluation design, theory of change, mixed‑methods approaches and data interpretation, presentation and messaging. Champion innovation and best practice in evaluation and ensure that evaluation outputs meet the needs of key stakeholders across Government.
• Team Leadership – lead and develop a small team to deliver the evidence base and impact narrative fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S) Interview (I) or both (S & I).

• Essential

• Proven experience in leading complex evaluation programmes and analysis resulting in insights and recommendations ideally within research funding, health or public policy sectors. (S / I)
• Strong understanding and analytical experience of using evaluation methodologies (quantitative and qualitative) and impact assessment frameworks. (S / I)
• Proven ability to synthesize complex analytical evidence into strategic insights that inform policy and organisational decision‑making, with experience in aligning evaluation outputs to broader priorities and translating data into usable intelligence. (S / I)
• Excellent data interpretation and presentation skills to translate data and inform decision‑making of different audiences. (S / I)
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills. (I)
• Experience in managing teams and developing talent. (S / I)

• Knowledge or experience of the biomedical research and innovation landscape. (S)
• Experience of commissioning research and overseeing its delivery. (S / I)
• Experience working with government departments or in a policy‑influencing or strategy role. (S)

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full‑time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.
• Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.