Programme Manager

Job summary

Programme Manager

Council: MRC
Salary: £46,437 Per Annum
Band: UKRI Band E
Team: Data Science Team
Contract Type: Open-Ended
Hours: Full time / Part time (0.8 FTE Minimum)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire– Hybrid working available
Closing Date: 24/03/26

Job description

The Programme Manager will join the Medical Research Council’s Data Science team to help deliver strategic aims in data science, as outlined in the MRC Strategic Delivery Plan. The role supports MRC’s objectives to develop a cohesive, safe, and efficient environment for delivering, accessing, and using health data across the UK.

The Data Science Team is part of the Challenge-Led Directorate, You will act as the main MRC contact for the UK Data and Analytics Research Environments (DARE UK) programme and work extensively across MRC and UKRI. The role involves engaging internal and external stakeholders, tracking developments in trusted data environments, and contributing to the strategic implementation of MRC data science activities.

Your responsibilities:

• Manage the interface with the UKRI Infrastructure and Digital Research Infrastructure teams related to DARE-UK and related schemes including reporting on progress and finances, attending meetings, and development of further projects in this area as needs arise.
• Liaise with the UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure team and the DARE-UK Delivery Team to support Phase 2 delivery and development of Phase 3.
• Act as lead contact for Trusted and Secure Data Environments (TREs / SDEs) across major partners including HEIs and NHS organisations.
• Contribute to MRC’s needs in managing, sharing, accessing, and analysing personal and protected health data, aligned to MRC priorities and Delivery Plan. Develop and manage programmes of digital research infrastructure investment in partnership with teams across MRC and UKRI.
• Provide external representation to ensure mutual understanding of research community needs in digital research infrastructure.
• Build strong and effective relationships with partners including other UKRI councils, government bodies, learned societies, and international organisations.
• Provide expert advice within MRC Head Office on developments in data science, trusted research environments, and digital research infrastructure, including developing briefings for the MRC Executive and responding to consultations and stakeholder requests.

Person specification

Personal Specification

• PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant research or research facing role, demonstrating broad scientific and research understanding.
• Experience liaising and achieving results with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g., research funders, NHS, industry, academia).
• Knowledge and understanding of biomedical/health relevant data science and UK digital research infrastructure environments.
• Strong communication skills (oral and written) across a range of issues.
• Ability to appraise science and partnership opportunities, identify strategic objectives and implications, and adapt work accordingly.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities and time effectively.
• Strong interpersonal skills including relationship building, negotiation, persuasion, and influencing.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,437, Medical Research Council contributes £13,452 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit 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!

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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 withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

For full details, please visit our careers site. Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : UKRI Recruitment Team
• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org