Senior Programme Manager

We are seeking a seasoned and highly driven Senior Programme Manager.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in advancing NIHR’s ambitions for the UK life sciences sector. Working closely with the Life Sciences Industry Director, senior leadership, and a broad network of partners, you will help develop, carry out, and oversee the NIHR Life Sciences Industry Implementation Plan, supporting NIHR’s contribution to the Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan.

As Senior Programme Manager, you will be responsible for directing a complex programme of activity that spans several partners and organisations.

You will bring together different work streams, priorities, and collaborators to ensure that strategic objectives translate into clear, coordinated, and measurable delivery. Your work will contribute to strengthening the UK’s position and reputation as a global centre for commercial research.

The role involves supporting essential activities such as industry engagement, delivering commercial clinical trials, and broader system transformation. It requires someone able to work confidently in a complex, highly cooperative health research setting.

In this role, you will:

• Coordinate and assist in the delivery of the NIHR Life Sciences Industry Implementation Plan across multiple work streams and partners
• Use your extensive programme and project management experience to recognize, prioritise, arrange, and track a wide range of interconnected activities
• Translate strategic priorities into coherent and achievable programme plans, ensuring effective governance and oversight throughout delivery
• Track progress throughout the programme and assist in keeping activities aligned with the broader goals of the life sciences strategy
• Work collaboratively with senior collaborators and partners across multiple organisations, adapting your approach to different audiences and levels of seniority
• Develop and sustain productive collaborations with groups throughout NIHR and outside partners, including pharmaceutical companies
• Support work streams connected to industry collaboration, commercial clinical trials management, and system transformation
• Manage competing priorities and deadlines while maintaining clear, accurate, and effective communication between collaborators
• Bring structure and coordination to complex areas of work, helping ensure programme activity progresses effectively and delivers against its objectives

To be successful in this position, you will bring an extensive grasp of the UK health research landscape, alongside substantial programme and project management experience.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Extensive experience of successfully managing complex projects and programmes
• Strong programme planning abilities, with the capability to pinpoint dependencies, arrange activities in order, and track progress across several work streams
• Experience establishing and implementing effective programme plans and governance arrangements
• The ability to confidently navigate complex environments involving multiple collaborators and priorities across different organisations
• Excellent communication, influencing, and interpersonal skills
• A diplomatic and collaborative approach when engaging with collaborators at different levels of seniority
• The ability to establish credible and positive relationships with internal and external partners
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to effectively prioritise several tasks and meet tight deadlines
• A comprehensive knowledge of the UK health research landscape and the broader setting where commercial research takes place
• A proactive and delivery-focused approach, with the ability to bring clarity and structure to complex projects