Impact Manager – IS8 Life sciences

Impact Manager – IS8 Life sciences

Medical Research Council (MRC)
Evaluation & Analysis Team
Salary: £46,743 per annum  
Band: UKRI Band E
Contract Type: Fixed Term (Ending 31/03/30)
Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available) 
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available

Closing Date: Sunday 1st November 2026

About the Role

The Impact Manager will play a central role in managing the IS-8 portfolio through monitoring the benefits arising from the IS-8 portfolio and other strategic investments from MRC.   Working between the Evaluation and Analysis Team and IS-8  team, the postholder will lead the design, coordination and delivery of monitoring and evaluation activities that inform strategic decision making, monitor activity and demonstrate the value and reach of the IS-8 portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Delivery of Evaluation and Monitoring

Lead monitoring and evaluation assessing progress, outcomes, reach and long-term benefit of funding.  This will include impact and process evaluations in line with the Magenta and Green books, M&E plans, monitoring reports and support for Business Cases and risk management.

Framework development

Develop and implement an impact framework to manage and track investment, using mixed methods evidence including qualitative insight, quantitative indicators and strategic metrics.  Support funded programmes to embed impact planning throughout the research lifecycle, including logic models, theories of change and proportionate timely monitoring and evaluation approaches.

Stakeholder Engagement

Work closely with MRC colleagues and other partners to identify and gather evidence and case studies to support and track impact and ensure findings are useful to senior leaders in UKRI and key stakeholders across Government.

Insight, Reporting and Learning

Compile data and measures to report on progress and outcomes.  Produce high quality reports and strategic insights that inform funding decisions and organisational learning.  Support capability-building and champion best practice in evaluation and impact reporting across MRC.  Contribute to UKRI wide communities of practice on evaluation, impact and monitoring.

Person Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

• Experience in research management, evaluation, benefits management, or continuous improvement.(S/I)
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail to determine and measure outputs and outcomes. (I)
• Strong stakeholder management and communication and influencing skills. (I)
• Understanding of the UK research funding ecosystem. (S/I)
• Ability to present evidence and actionable insight to inform and support senior decision makers. (S/I)

Please note: To be considered for this role, applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet the criteria identified for shortlisting (S) within their application. Candidates who progress to interview will be expected to provide relevant examples and evidence demonstrating their suitability against the criteria assessed at interview (I). Failure to provide sufficient evidence at the relevant assessment stage may affect progression through the recruitment process.

About hybrid working
We support a hybrid approach, and you can expect a mix of working from home, the office, and occasionally at other UK locations.
MRC HO staff will be assigned to Tier 3 meaning a standard expectation of 20–40% onsite attendance (pro-rated against working time) including those hosted by MRC HO. This will come into effect on 1st October 2026.

Visa Sponsorship 

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact [email protected].

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined salary pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

For further information on our benefits please see:

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact [email protected].

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.  For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.