Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Manager - College of Medicine and Health - 107625[...] in Birmingham

Job Description

College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary range: £36,636 to £46,049, with potential progression once in post to £48,822.

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2027

Background

Working on behalf of the National Institute for Health & Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Manager will co‑develop and implement the strategy of PPIE activities across the full range of thematic areas supported by the BRC, including experimental medicine research in areas such as acute care, arthritis, cancer, infection and women’s health.

The NIHR Birmingham BRC is part of a network of NIHR BRCs collaborating with NHS organisations and universities to translate scientific discoveries into new treatments. It partners with University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, University of Birmingham, as well as Keele, Oxford, Aston Universities and other NHS Trusts.

Role Summary

This post will act as a central co‑ordinator for PPIE in the BRC, working closely with all 11 themes to provide PPIE support and guidance to researchers and PPIE Co‑ordinators, and collaborating with the wider CMH Involvement and Engagement team to avoid duplication and ensure consistency across the College.

Key responsibilities include building relationships with diverse groups, providing advice and training to the BRC community, and contributing to evidence through evaluation and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and implement the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Strategy with the core BRC PPIE team and public contributors.
• Co‑develop communications, events and collaborative approaches to promote patient and public involvement, and support initiatives from NIHR and wider stakeholders.
• Build capacity, skills and expertise in PPIE within the BRC community and the West Midlands region.
• Contribute to the evidence base through evaluation and reporting of public involvement activities.
• Partner with regional and national Public Involvement Leads as part of the One NIHR Initiative.
• Ensure NIHR Centres and the research community engage, involve and collaborate with community organisations in Birmingham and the West Midlands; liaise with the University Public and Cultural Engagement team on shared initiatives.
• Develop initiatives to increase the diversity of communities engaged in health and care research; identify barriers and develop inclusive strategies.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of national PPI initiatives and disseminate information across the organisation.
• Promote a positive culture of public involvement across all activities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with colleagues at the University of Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and other BRC partners.
• Support the BRC Patient and Public Advisory Group (PPAG) by creating an inclusive environment and facilitating governance and operations.
• Assist PPIE Co‑ordinators and researchers in matters of public involvement and engagement.
• Support the BRC PPI Community of Practice and provide guidance to each theme to deliver PPI effectively.
• Develop and manage a project management plan for PPIE, ensuring on‑time, on‑budget delivery of project outputs.
• Deliver capacity development through teaching, training and drop‑in sessions for researchers and public contributors.
• Monitor and report on PPI activity; provide regular reports to the BRC Manager.
• Gather feedback from researchers and public contributors to inform future working arrangements.
• Monitor the PPIE budget and ensure reimbursement of public contributors.
• Contribute to regular reporting activities such as Management and Executive Committee reports.
• Collaborate with the I & E team to develop new PPIE resources supporting capacity and skills development.
• Raise the profile of PPIE through presentations and awareness activities at internal events.
• Develop relevant PPIE communications including web content, newsletters and social media.
• Facilitate planning and delivery of engagement events between NIHR infrastructure, the University of Birmingham and community organisations.
• Perform administrative duties, maintain records, and ensure compliance with GDPR and information security.
• Provide ad‑hoc support for other projects or duties as directed by the Line Manager and the Manager/Director of NIHR BRC.

Person Specification

• First degree in a relevant subject or equivalent experience.
• Proven knowledge and experience of managing public involvement and engagement in health and social care research.
• Familiarity with UK Standards for Public Involvement and ability to develop working practices.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate.
• Teamwork experience and ability to design and deliver public involvement events.
• Strong organisational and time‑management skills to deliver initiatives to tight deadlines.
• Flexible approach to work, problem‑solving skills, adaptability and a desire to develop skills.
• Clear writing ability for reports, funding applications, websites and social media.
• IT proficiency: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), internet and social media.
• Awareness of data protection legislation and compliance for monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to handle confidential or sensitive matters.
• Willingness to work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Willingness to travel within the region and to national meetings.
• Good understanding of key issues in public involvement, diversity and inclusion and relevant national policies.
• Experience championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' employee and that diversity in its many forms is a strength. We are committed to proactively addressing barriers experienced by some groups and hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We are also committed to sustainability.