Senior Access Governance Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Access Governance Manager who will play a pivotal role in enabling Our Future Health to achieve its mission of transforming healthcare through prevention, early detection, and improved treatment of diseases. By leading and continuously improving the Access Process and Access Board governance, this role ensures that researchers can securely and efficiently access one of the world’s most comprehensive health research resources.

Our Future Health will be the UK’s largest ever health research programme, bringing people together to develop new ways to detect, prevent, and treat diseases. We are a charity, supported by the UK Government, in partnership with charities and industry. We work closely with the NHS and with public authorities across all nations and regions of the UK.

What you’ll be doing:

In this role, you will oversee and continuously improve the Access Process and Access Board governance, ensuring efficient, ethical, and secure access for researchers. Your key responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Manage and optimise the Access Process to enable timely and secure access to research datasets, biological samples, and participant re-contact.
• Plan and oversee Access Board governance, including scheduling meetings, setting agendas, ensuring timely preparation of documents, and maintaining accurate decision and action logs.
• Lead regular reviews of Access Board activities and deliver clear, accurate reporting across governance structures.
• Manage and develop the Access Governance team, including oversight of the TRE Accreditation Process and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Drive continuous improvement of the Access Process through service enhancements, system developments, and policy updates.
• Ensure rapid turnaround of research proposals, balancing efficiency with compliance and quality standards.
• Act as the primary point of contact for internal and external access queries, providing expert guidance and resolution.
• Develop and deliver training for the access team to strengthen capability in managing researcher queries.
• Design and implement stakeholder engagement strategies to build strong relationships and promote collaboration.
• Demonstrate support for organisational compliance requirements, ensuring all colleagues and contractors understand and fulfil responsibilities related to policies, procedures, and controls.
• Advise leadership and subject matter experts on access governance issues, contributing to strategic decision-making.
• Champion effective work practices that foster collaboration, respect, and operational excellence.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the level of the post and remain flexible to evolving organisational needs.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have demonstrated expertise in governance processes within health research or a relevant policy environment (for example, academic, NHS, industry, or charity settings). To succeed in this role, you will also have some of the following skills:

• Proven ability to manage and develop access processes in large-scale research studies or similar organisations.
• Experience in leading teams, line management and fostering high performance.
• Strong understanding of ethical and legal issues related to genetics/genomics, human tissue handling, and access to personal and health data.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory roles and requirements in research ethics and research tissue banks.
• Familiarity with Trusted Research Environments (TREs) and their management.
• Ability to develop policies and deliver compliance training.
• Strong project and change management skills, including prioritisation, implementing solutions and handling multiple deadlines and long-term projects.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills for diverse audiences.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in complex decision-making.
• Strategic, detail-oriented professional with strong collaborative and influencing skills.
• Adaptable, ethical, and committed to confidentiality.
• Motivated to make meaningful impact on complex challenges in global healthcare and research.

Benefits

• Up to £70,000 per annum basic salary.
• Generous Pension Scheme – We invest in your future with employer contributions of up to 12%.
• 30 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays – Enjoy a generous holiday allowance with the flexibility to take bank holidays when it suits you.
• Enhanced Parental Leave – Supporting you during life’s biggest moments.
• Cycle to Work Scheme – Save 25-39% on a new bike and accessories through salary sacrifice.
• Home & Tech Savings – Get up to 8% off on IKEA and Currys products, spreading the cost over 12 months through salary sacrifice.
• £1,000 Employee Referral Bonus – Know someone amazing? Get rewarded for bringing them on board!
• Wellbeing Support – Access to Mental Health First Aiders, plus 24/7 online GP services and an Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family.
• A Great Place to Work – We have a lovely Central London office in Holborn, and offer flexible and remote working arrangements.

Join us - let’s prevent disease together.

Closing date 09.01.2026 at 5:00pm

Expected interviews w/c 2nd Feb

At Our Future Health, we recognise the importance of having a diverse workforce and ensuring that all candidates, regardless of their background, have equitable access to our application process. We proactively encourage applicants who identify as having a disability, neurodiversity, or long-term health conditions to let us know if they require any reasonable adjustments as part of their application process. 

If you do require any reasonable adjustments, please email us at [email protected]