Senior Programme Manager - Innovations

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. We are also a major funder of applied health research in low- and middle-income countries. 

Job Description

We are looking for a Senior Programme Manager to support our funding programmes for 12 months, ideally starting in September or October. 

You will play a key role in the Innovation Programmes team, supporting the day-to-day delivery of a translational funding programme. The programmes we manage include the NIHR Invention for Innovation programme and SBRI Healthcare, amongst others.

You will be involved in the commissioning of new competitions, and you will manage a portfolio of exciting projects, led by universities, NHS Trusts or small and medium-sized enterprises, making an impact on the NHS and the UK economy. You are expected to develop close relationships with innovators and entrepreneurs, drive the collection of outcomes, contribute to the generation of case studies and participate in the planning of workshops, webinars and events.

You will act as an ambassador for our funding programmes, representing and promoting them externally to a wide variety of stakeholders, including industry.

You have a good understanding of the UK health innovation ecosystem and an appreciation of current and evolving technology developments and commercial exploitation routes, and ideally you have some experience of working across academia, the NHS and industry.

You will be expected to manage and support other team members and contribute to the continuous improvement of operational processes and working practices.

You need to be comfortable with working to tight deadlines and competing priorities while maintaining a high quality of outputs.

Responsibilities:

Programme operations and commissioning

• Supporting all aspects of translational funding, including scoping potential call themes, advising applicants, reviewing applications for funding and providing feedback to applicants
• Supporting Programme Leads and the Assistant Director with the preparation of papers for Contract Management and /or Advisory Boards and strategic proposals for new initiatives
• Leading on continuous improvement activities across the team and drafting work instructions as appropriate

Due diligence, contracting and portfolio management

• Undertaking due diligence of funding proposals, including reviewing the scientific, technical and clinical rationale, analysis of project budgets, evaluation of proposed intellectual property protection and freedom to operate positions and assessment of the proposed adoption and commercialisation strategies
• Negotiating funding agreements for projects recommended for funding, including the negotiation of milestones, financial arrangements and reporting requirements to enable successful project delivery
• Managing a portfolio of projects at various stages of development across different healthcare technology sectors
• Leading on portfolio analysis and collection of relevant metrics to support activities around programme promotion, business intelligence, impact and evaluation
• Contributing to the generation of case studies for programme promotion, customer reporting and shared learning

 Comms & engagement

• Supporting the delivery of communications and engagement activities or leading on elements thereof, including the promotion of competitions and launch events, newsletters and annual reports
• Supporting the engagement with small and medium enterprises, other funders and charities, the investment community, and other relevant stakeholders
• Planning and/or contributing to the delivery of key events or initiatives, such as our annual portfolio showcase event
• Liaising regularly with internal and external stakeholders, including attending, organising and leading meetings, representing the funder’s perspective at project meetings to facilitate successful project development, and promoting and representing funding programmes at external events

Qualifications

Essential Criteria 

• Educated to MSc/PhD level in biomedical or health sciences
• Experience of working in research management, technology transfer, healthcare technology accelerators, start-ups and/or organisations supporting innovation
• Experience of managing diverse internal and external relationships
• Understanding of intellectual property and commercial aspects in relation to research commercialisation
• Committed team player
• Excellent presentation and communications skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proven organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage own time to meet demanding deadlines and excellent attention to detail

Desired Criteria 

• Experience of working within multiple areas of the health, social care and life sciences sector including academia, the NHS and industry
• Experience of managing and developing people

Additional Information

Salary & Benefits 
£47,300 PA 
Annual bonus (subject to company performance)
25 days annual leave, plus public holidays (UK)
Enhanced contributory pension scheme
Life Insurance
Benenden Healthcare
Season Ticket Loan
Laptop, IT equipment and remote IT support 
Important Information
This is an office based, hybrid role, with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices a minimum of 4 days a month, usually worked as 1 day per week, and may increase, subject to team requirements. 
NB: This is a full time, 12 month Fixed Term Contract position.
NB: Closing date for applications is the 26th July. 
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 Criteria' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with NIHR. Be sure to reference REF1215V in all correspondence.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES 
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.