Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and influence health research funding and management processes.
- Company: Join the NIHR, a leader in health and social care research.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, a generous benefits package, and a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on health research while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex projects, strong analytical and communication skills required.
- Other info: Flexible hours available; commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Shape the future of health research- lead, influence and drive strategic delivery.
We’re looking for a Senior Research Manager to join the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Coordinating Centre in Southampton. This is a senior-level position where you can make a real difference to the funding of Health and Care research.
Who are we?
The NIHR funds, enables and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people\’s health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth. We are also a major funder of applied health research in low and middle-income countries.
As a Senior Research Manager, you won’t conduct research directly, but you will ensure it happens successfully. You’ll lead key elements of the research management lifecycle, such as identifying priority research areas, managing the funding process, supporting researchers, overseeing delivery, and ensuring dissemination of impactful results.
Your role will sit within one of our teams to drive our commissioning, application or monitoring functions, depending on your skills and experience. However, flexibility is key as you may be required to move across functions as priorities evolve. Whichever team you work in, you’ll provide leadership, drive improvements, influence strategy, and ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-driven research.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic leadership across a research management function
- Building and maintaining strong partnerships with senior stakeholders including the Department of Health and Social Care, research organisations, charities, and academic institutions
- Leading teams, managing resources, and delivering against operational and strategic goals
- Interpreting and using complex data and research insights to shape decision-making
- Identifying and embedding continuous improvements in processes, systems and ways of working
Who are we looking for?
You’ll be a confident and strategic leader with a passion for research that improves lives. With experience managing complex projects or programmes ideally in health, social care, research or policy you’ll bring deep professional knowledge and a proactive, collaborative approach. You’ll also be comfortable working across multiple teams, balancing priorities and building strong, trusted relationships with senior colleagues and external stakeholders.
You’ll bring:
- Proven strategic and operational management experience in a complex setting
- Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- A demonstrable ability to make decisions and work autonomously
- Strong leadership and team management capabilities
- Experience in critical interpretation of complex information to guide evidence-based decisions
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change, fostering adaptability, resilience and continuous improvement in times of uncertainty.
Our people are at the heart of what we do. To look after them we offer:
- A generous benefits package (see full details here)
- Hybrid working (typically 20% office-based)
- A culture of wellbeing and support- we’ve proudly been signatories of, and working, to the 6 standards of Mental Health at work commitment since 2019.
- A commitment to personal development, with opportunities for growth.
The role is offered at 35 hours per week, but we will consider part time (minimum of 28 hours). Please indicate any preference on your application.
For internal staff, if you are successfully appointed to the role, we will consider offering this role on a secondment basis.
To learn more about working in our teams visit our website , or check out the video below:
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants who support our mission of inclusivity.
Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or quoting the job number.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Research Manager employer: University of South Hampton
Contact Detail:
University of South Hampton Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key stakeholders in health and social care research. Understanding their priorities and how they align with the NIHR's mission will help you demonstrate your strategic insight during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership experience by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed teams through change. Highlighting your ability to foster adaptability and resilience will resonate well with the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your analytical skills, particularly in interpreting complex data. Being able to discuss how you've used data to inform decision-making will be crucial in demonstrating your fit for this senior position.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with professionals in the health research sector. Engaging with current or former employees of the NIHR can provide valuable insights into the organisational culture and expectations, which can be beneficial during interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Senior Research Manager position. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and required skills, as this will help you tailor your application effectively.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience in managing complex projects or programmes, particularly in health, social care, or research. Use specific examples to demonstrate your strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.
Showcase Analytical Skills: Since the role requires interpreting complex data, include examples of how you've used analytical skills to guide decision-making in previous roles. This could be through successful project outcomes or improvements you've implemented.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your cover letter to reflect your passion for research that improves lives. Address how your values align with the NIHR's mission and how you can contribute to their goals, especially in fostering inclusivity and continuous improvement.
How to prepare for a job interview at University of South Hampton
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the Senior Research Manager role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities such as strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and managing complex projects. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your leadership capabilities, especially in managing teams through change. Highlight instances where you've fostered adaptability and resilience, as these qualities are crucial for this position.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Expect questions about how you build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders. Be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and how you've successfully influenced strategy in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Thinking
Since the role involves interpreting complex data, be prepared to discuss your analytical skills. Share specific examples of how you've used data to guide decision-making and improve processes in past projects.
