Senior Programme Manager - PGfAR

Company Description  Are you ready to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare resea… 
As a Senior Programme Manager, you'll be at the forefront of leading some of the most impactful funding schemes in healthcare research. From supporting all aspects of the prestigious Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR)/Programme Development Grants (PDG) and the Mental Health Research Group (MHRG) initiatives, to leading on work to plan the evaluation to demonstrate the impact of these programmes on policy and practice, your expertise will drive innovation and excellence in healthcare. 

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 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 
• NIHR MHRGs support the development and delivery of high quality applied mental health research, and research teams, across England in areas of high need and lacking in mental health research capacity. They are collaborations between higher education institutions (HEIs) in these target areas, and HEIs with more experience and expertise in mental health research, who have a shared ambition to address local applied mental health research needs

Job Description 
Reporting to the Assistant Director, the role will include working collaboratively with other Senior Programme Managers to contribute to the strategic and operational development and management for PGfAR, PDG and MHRG funding schemes. The roll will also require taking significant responsibility for developing the logic models and evaluation plans to demonstrate the impact of the funding schemes.~

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 commissioning and monitoring activities of the PGfAR and PDG programmes and overseeing the team in these activities
• Oversight and support to deliver the MHRGs and their complimentary feeder schemes. 
• Development and delivery of impact evaluation plans 
• 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 PGfAR/PDG and MHRG 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 members of staff 
• Monitoring the quality and timelines of the work of Research Programme Managers supporting delivery of PGfAR/PDG/MHRG in line with the agreed indicators 
• Staff recruitment and mentoring, training and supervision of new and existing staff

Qualifications & Experience 

Required Criteria 

• A degree in biomedical, health or social sciences 
• Grant management and research commissioning experience
• Experience of working in a research management and commissioning  
• 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 Criteria 

• A higher degree in a medical, scientific, technical or social discipline
• Line management and staff development 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

Compensation, Benefits & Working Arrangements:
Salary: £48,600 to £51,300 pa 
Location: Twickenham, London / Hybrid working model
Contract Type: Full time 12 month FTC 
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week 
Annual Leave: 25 days, plus UK public holidays

Employee Benefits Include:
Annual, discretionary bonus 
Enhanced Contributory Pension Scheme
Life Insurance Cover
Benenden Healthcare Membership
Training and Development Opportunities 
Season Ticket Loan

NB: We offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, flexible working arrangements. This is an office based, hybrid role with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices 1 day each week, this may increase, subject to team requirements. 

Application
If you are excited about the prospect of joining our team and believe you possess the relevant skills and background, we invite you to apply. Please submit your CV along with a 'Statement of Suitability' that showcases your key skills and experiences in relation to the 'Essential and Desirable Criteria' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with the NIHR.

NB. The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 19th February, with interviews to take place from W/C the 23rd February. 

Inclusion and Diversity
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 or belief, age, or trade union membership. 

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have any accessibility requirements please contact Carl by email [email protected] to arrange appropriate support.