Senior Programme Manager - 1036G

Job Description

Are you ready to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare research?

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is on the lookout for a dynamic and experienced Senior Programme Manager to join our esteemed Research Programmes teams!

As a Senior Programme Manager, you'll be at the forefront of leading some of the most impactful funding schemes in healthcare research. From leading all aspects of the NIHR Blood and Transplant Research Units (BTRUs) to steering the prestigious Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR) and Policy Programme Development Grants (PDG), programmes, and coordinating Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) initiatives, your expertise will drive innovation and excellence in healthcare.

This isn't just another job – it's an opportunity to be part of a ground-breaking movement that directly impacts the health and well-being of millions.

Working closely with the health and care research community, we commission and invest in applied health research and training that responds to the diverse needs of UK communities, and addresses health system priorities.

Amongst these funding schemes are:
NIHR Blood and Transplant Research Units (BTRUs) which have been developed in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHS BT) to undertake research to improve the supply of blood, blood products, stem cells, tissues, and organs for transplantation. The team currently manages a portfolio of six units representing an investment of £20 million, and competitively recommissions the units every five years.
NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR) and Programme Development Grants (PDG) fund collaborative, multidisciplinary programmes of applied research to solve health and social care challenges. PGfAR awards are typically granting £2.5 million over 5 years. The team actively manages a portfolio of 311 grants and 6 competitive cycles per year.
The NIHR RfPB programme provides funding for high quality health and social care research in the NHS in England, and allocates funding on a regional basis, for project grants of up to £500,000 and 36 months in duration. The team currently manages a portfolio of over 1,300 projects and delivers three funding competition cycles per year.

Job Description
Reporting to the Assistant Directors, the role will include leading the next competitive round of commissioning of the BTRUs and oversight of the BTRU portfolio and working collaboratively with other Senior Programme Managers to contribute to the strategic and operational development and management for PGfAR, PDG and RfPB teams.

The role requires a strong leadership style, along with the ability to work collaboratively with team members and relevant specialists across the organisation. The post provides the opportunity for exciting external liaison, with interfaces to UK government, academia, charities, industry and the clinical community.

Key responsibilities
Overall responsibility of the BTRU team’s commissioning and monitoring activities, and overseeing the team in these activities
Contributing to and leading strategic programme and departmental initiatives that relate to the three research programmes, specifically taking a lead on common strategic initiatives and sharing of good practice between the teams
Drafting SOPs, work instructions and template documents and issuing guidelines
Attending committee meetings in a supervisory capacity, providing advice to the committee when required
Act as a representative of BTRU, PGfAR and RfPB in NIHR cross cutting working groups as appropriate
Liaising regularly with internal and external stakeholders, including attending, organising and leading meetings, representing the funder’s perspective at meetings and promoting and representing funding programmes at external events
Identifying enhancements to working practices and defining, implementing and supporting the processes to deliver operational excellence
Developing and maintaining excellent professional relationships with other GMG teams, applicants and award holders and with colleagues within NIHR and across customer organisations, and acting as a role model to colleagues at all levels
Operationalising ad hoc special project work; assisting in the preparation of regular programme reports and papers
Line management of up to three members of staff
Monitoring the quality and timelines of the work of Research Programme Managers within the BTRU, PGfAR and RfPB teams in line with the agreed indicators
Staff recruitment and mentoring, training and supervision of new and existing staff.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential competencies
A degree in biomedical, health or social sciences
Experience of working in a research management environment
A track record in successful management of projects and programmes
Able to think strategically, interpreting complex information
Excellent planning and organisational skills
Excellent analytical and complex problem solving skills

Desirable
A higher degree in a medical, scientific, technical or social discipline
Line management and staff development experience
Grant management and research commissioning experience
Knowledge of the UK’s health and care research landscape
Solutions orientated with evidence of developing and implementing adaptable, practical and effective quality-controlled processes, and implementable recommendations
Cultural

awareness/sensitivity,

and evidence of a commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity
A continuous improvement mentality, with a desire to provide an effective and efficient research management service for all stakeholders.

Salary & Benefits
£45,700 PA
Bonus - subject to company performance
25 days annual leave, plus public holidays (UK)
Enhanced contributory pension scheme
Life Insurance
Benenden Healthcare
Season Ticket Loan
Laptop, IT equipment and remote IT support

This is an office based, home working (hybrid) role with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices a minimum of 1 day a week, 4 days a month, which might increase, subject to team requirements.

Application
If you are interested in working with us and feel you have the appropriate background and skills, please apply with your CV, with the cover letter attached in the same document, explaining what you feel you could bring to the company, outlining your suitability for the role.

NB: Please quote REF1036G in all correspondence.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
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.