We are looking for a Research Programme Manager to join our CCF Research Programmes teams responsible for management of the National Institute for Health (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR) funding scheme. While there is no closing date, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as the position will be closed once the right candidate has been found.

The NIHR is a large, multi-faceted and nationally distributed organisation funded through the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Together, NIHR people, facilities and systems represent the most integrated clinical research system in the world, driving research from bench to bedside for the benefit of patients and the economy.

LGC Group is an international life sciences company working with customers in the government, academic, pharmaceutical, agricultural biotechnology, food, environment, security and sports sectors to achieve excellence in investigative, diagnostic and measurement science. LGC’s Grant Management Group (GMG) are experts in managing research funding to maximise its impact.

On behalf of the DHSC, GMG manages two important components of the NIHR: the Central Commissioning Facility (CCF) and the NIHR Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure (NOCRI). 

Reporting to a Senior Programme Manager, the role will cover the full end-to-end process of research management, from launching new calls for applications through to the active monitoring of funded projects, and will require an ability to work collaboratively with other team members. The post provides the opportunity for exciting external liaison, with interfaces to UK government, academia, industry and the clinical community.

Key Accountabilities: 

• Supporting all aspects of research funding, including researching potential call themes, advising potential applicants, revising application forms and guidance documents, reviewing and short-listing of applications for funding, supporting the peer review process, managing and attending the funding committee, providing feedback to successful and unsuccessful applicants
• Undertaking due diligence of proposals based on critical assessment of healthcare-related projects, including reviewing the scientific, technical and clinical rationale, and, supported by senior members of the team, analysis of value for money, evaluation of proposed intellectual property (IP) protection and freedom to operate positions and assessment of the proposed dissemination, adoption and/or commercialisation strategy
• Negotiating funding agreements for projects recommended for funding, including the negotiation of milestones, financial arrangements and reporting requirements to enable successful project progression
• Managing a portfolio of funded projects, including monitoring of scientific, clinical and financial performance, reviewing IP and dissemination plans and managing contractual changes to ensure appropriate strategies are in place leading to patient benefit and/or commercial realisation
• Liaising regularly with internal and external stakeholders, including attending, organising and leading meetings, representing the funder’s perspective at project meetings to facilitate successful project development, and promoting and representing funding programmes at external meetings
• Contributing to strategic programme initiatives
• Drafting, work instructions and template documents and issuing guidelines
• Assisting with the quality control of minutes, outcome letters and other external documentation
• Assisting in the preparation of regular and ad hoc programme reports, papers and minutes
• Identifying enhancements to working practices and defining, implementing and supporting the processes to deliver operational excellence
• Responding to Parliamentary Questions or briefing requests from DHSC, often at very short notice
• Developing and maintaining excellent professional relationships with other GMG teams, applicants, award holders, colleagues within NIHR and at the DHSC, and act as a role model to colleagues at all levels

Candidate specification

Essential Competencies: 

• A degree in biomedical, health or social sciences
• Experience of working in a research environment
• Excellent and meticulous attention to detail
• Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, able to prioritise and manage multiple tasks, working to challenging targets and deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal skills, from liaising with internal and external stakeholders and communities
• Committed team player with an ability to build effective working relationships
• Well-developed analytical and complex problem-solving skills, with a solution-based approach
• Good financial awareness
• Excellent IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel 

Desirable:

• Experience of working with government departments and the NHS
• A higher degree in biomedical, health or social sciences
• Experience in research management
• Knowledge of the UK’s health and care research landscape