Senior Research Manager - RPSC

Twickenham, England, United Kingdom

6/27/2025

Company Description

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). We work in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients, and the public. The NIHR funds, enables, and delivers world-leading health and social care research that improves people's health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.

Job Description

Join Us as a Senior Research Manager – Lead the Future of Social Care Research

Are you a driven and experienced professional passionate about shaping the future of social care? We are seeking a dynamic Senior Research Manager to join or Research Programme for Social Care team (RPSC) at the NIHR, where you'll play a pivotal role in managing our growing Social Care Programme.

In this high-impact position, you will work in close collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care, influencing policy and practice through evidence-based research. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful change at a national level while helping to advance the field of social care research.

Main Responsibilities

• Act as a leader in social care research funding and draw together the various relevant cross NIHR funding streams to synergise and maximise the potential outcomes
• Working with Programme Lead and Programme Director as well as other Senior programme manager, take overall responsibility for major social care research funding including the Research Programme for Social Care
• Develop collaborative relationships with committee chairs and Programme director
• Oversee all aspects of the research management process from setting up funding calls right through to organising the funded research monitoring
• Monitor the quality and timelines of the work of the Research Managers within the team
• Lead on strategic projects, with support from Programme Lead
• Operationalising ad hoc special project work in consultation with the team’s Scientific
• Advisers and assisting in the preparation of regular reports and papers
• Attend funding committee meetings in a supervisory capacity
• Contribute to cross NIHR social care research strategy
• Lead on portfolio analysis and call analysis to identify opportunities for improvement
• Progressing development of outline proposals for new initiatives
• Attending meetings with external stakeholders
• Working with other social care research funders to coordinate and join up research funding
• Working with the RPSC Scientific Advisers and other key NIHR social care leaders, such as directors of relevant Research Units and Schools, to develop NIHR’s social care offering
  
  

Qualifications

Required Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Work experience, in the delivery of research funding allocation processes
• Interest in the strategic issues in health and care research funding and policy
• Experience of working with local authorities, third sector or government departments
• Experience in research management, preferably within a social care setting
• Knowledge of the UK’s social care and health research landscape
• Proven leadership capabilities with the ability to inspire, motivate, and guide teams
  
  

Desired Criteria

• Doctorate (PhD) in Social Sciences or a related field, is highly desirable
  
  

Key Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrable success in stakeholder management within and across multiple organisations
• Ability to think strategically, interpreting complex information, putting information in context and having a clear view of the “big picture”
• Excellent writing skills and meticulous attention to detail
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, able to prioritise and manage multiple tasks,working to challenging targets and deadlines
  
  

Additional Information

Salary & Benefits

£47,300 per year

Bonus - subject to company performance

25 days annual leave, plus public holidays (UK)

Enhanced contributory pension scheme

Life Insurance

Benenden Healthcare

Season Ticket Loan

Please note: This position is offered as a fixed-term contract for a duration of 12 months.

Please note: This is a hybrid role based at our office in Twickenham, London with a minimum requirement of one in-office day per week. This requirement may increase based on team needs or operational demands.

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 'Required Criteria' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with the LGC Group.

Inclusion and Diversity

LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, color, 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, color, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership.