Job summary
1x
fixed term contract until February 2027
1x
fixed term contract will be for a period of up to 12 months commencing June
2026.
The
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Academy Executive is looking
for a Development and Support Manager to provide support to the high
performing and ambitious Development and Support team.
This
position is an integral member of the development and support team who are
jointly accountable for the NIHR leadership development and mentorship suite
of activities. A key element of this role is to take day-to-day
responsibility for managing programmes and campaigns that support both the
NIHR leadership development strategies.
The
successful applicant will have strong administration skills and experience in
the delivery of mentoring and/ or leadership development programmes,
including the ability to manage multiple and simultaneous programmes of
activity, working closely with suppliers to support contract management,
monitoring and evaluation of programme delivery.
They
will demonstrate excellent communication skills and will work flexibly and
collaboratively across the organisation and with colleagues and stakeholders
from across the country to manage a diverse workload of projects, working
with the communications team to support eligible NIHR Academy Members to
apply for and access our programmes.
Expected Shortlisting
Date
23/02/2026
Planned Interview
Date
04/03/2026
Main duties of the job
Responsibilities
include:
- Manage
areas of the portfolio of work delivered by the development and support team
which includes leadership development and mentoring provisions
- Stakeholder
communications both within the NIHR Academy and across the wider organisation
in relation to the leadership development and support programmes we deliver
- Reporting
and evaluation of the effectiveness and return on investment of the
programmes we deliver, making recommendations for further improvement and
enhancement
- Supporting
the relevant steering groups and contract management meetings.
The job description for these roles is subject to review and may change. We anticipate that this will be confirmed prior to agreeing the start date for the successful applicants, at the very latest.
About us
The
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has a mission to
improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR plays
a pivotal role in attracting, training and supporting the best researchers
and complements the additional NIHR investment in world-class research
facilities and a skilled research workforce.
This
role is hosted by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) and delivers the
work of the NIHR, leading on policy, strategy and delivery in respect of
academic training in England and working closely with other NIHR centres and
the Science Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate at the Department of
Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'
members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts
are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove
adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the
shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this
process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any
questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The
Development and Support Manager will play a crucial role in the development
and delivery of NIHR Development and Support Programmes.
The
purpose of the Development and Support Manager post is to:
- Manage part of the portfolio of work
delivered by the development and support team including leadership and
mentoring provisions
- Provide day-to-day programme
management including programme recruitment, reporting, communications and
liaison with suppliers that support both the leadership development and
mentoring programmes of work
- Hold responsibility for stakeholder
communications both within the NIHR Academy and across the wider organisation
in relation to the suite of learning and development programmes and
provisions
- Supporting the development of the
Development and Support programmes offer to encompass a wider target
population with consideration of specialist needs
- Provide data and reports to evaluate
the effectiveness and return on investment of the development and support
programmes and make suggestions for further improvement and enhancement
- Provide ad hoc support for the
delivery of other Development and Support programmes and provisions
- Lead in the development of the
agenda of relevant steering groups and contract management meetings and
provide secretariat support
- Support the development and delivery
of the portfolio of development and support programmes delivered by the team
to support key stakeholder groups and special interest groups.
- The
post holder is required to work flexibly across the organisation; the
portfolio of work is likely to vary over time as will the balance of
administrative and development duties.
- The
post holder is largely expected to work on their own, using their own
initiative guided by the broad principles and NIHR Academy policies supported
by the Development & Support Manager and Senior Team.
Development
and Support Activities
- Work closely with the Senior
Development and Support Manager to ensure appropriate growth and development
of Development and Support Programmes
- Work on development and support
activities using own initiative in line with NIHR Academy policies and
procedures
- Work closely with the Development
and Support Officer to effectively deliver the programmes of work
- Work with the Communications team to
support eligible NIHR Academy Members to access Development and Support
programmes
- Provide support to Development and
Support programmes and look for opportunities to promote the leadership
development and mentorship programmes within existing development and support
programme channels
- Work with workforce leads cross NIHR
and other stakeholders including the Department of Health and Social Care
- Work closely with the finance team
to manage the programme budget and provide regular financial reporting
General
Programme Activities
- Be responsible for programme
recruitment and maintaining relationships with existing programme
participants
- Manage and review the recruitment
process ensuring it is appropriate and remains fit for purpose
- Organising programme training
opportunities
- Support contract management of
external suppliers and subject matter experts
- Report on the success and impact of
the programmes through written papers and presentations to the appropriate
stakeholder groups
- Write reports and working papers as
required to provide updates on the programmes
- Identify opportunities for growth
and development of the programmes to better serve the NIHR community
- Develop and communicate standard
operating procedures for the programmes and associated activities
- Manage the cycle and timing of
programme activities
- Develop materials to support
Development and Support programmes - e.g. onboarding documentation,
communications to promote the programme, standard operating procedures
- Identify training needs and plan
appropriate support/intervention for internal and external stakeholders
- Manage contracts and stakeholders
associated with the development and support programmes
- Review Development and Support
training materials and content and provide feedback to the provider where
necessary
Communications
- Work closely with the communications
team to develop and implement communications plans to promote development and
support programmes and attract relevant target audiences
- Communicate regularly with
stakeholders to maintain relationships and ensure their satisfaction with the
programme
- Communicate with award holders, both
those who are joining Development and Support programmes and those within the
community who may wish to join in the future
- Identify opportunities to
communicate and network with a wider range of NIHR stakeholders to grow the
potential mentor pool
- Communicate verbally and in writing
with staff and stakeholders at all levels in a confident and professional
manner
- Communicate with a range of people
nationally at all levels of seniority both internal and external to the NIHR
Academy in line with DHSC policies
- Develop and nurture strong
nationally-based networks and positive and collaborative working
relationships within NIHR, HEIs, NHS Trusts and other health-related
organisations, particularly at the level of senior research leaders/sponsors
to benefit the NIHR Academy programmes.
General
- Be aware of best practice and trends
in leadership development and mentoring to be able to inform and advise
colleagues as required and influence the development of the development and
support programmes
- Undertaking any ad hoc initiatives
as required by the NIHR Academy Executive Board members.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The
Development and Support Manager will play a crucial role in the development
and delivery of NIHR Development and Support Programmes.
The
purpose of the Development and Support Manager post is to:
- Manage part of the portfolio of work
delivered by the development and support team including leadership and
mentoring provisions
- Provide day-to-day programme
management including programme recruitment, reporting, communications and
liaison with suppliers that support both the leadership development and
mentoring programmes of work
- Hold responsibility for stakeholder
communications both within the NIHR Academy and across the wider organisation
in relation to the suite of learning and development programmes and
provisions
- Supporting the development of the
Development and Support programmes offer to encompass a wider target
population with consideration of specialist needs
- Provide data and reports to evaluate
the effectiveness and return on investment of the development and support
programmes and make suggestions for further improvement and enhancement
- Provide ad hoc support for the
delivery of other Development and Support programmes and provisions
- Lead in the development of the
agenda of relevant steering groups and contract management meetings and
provide secretariat support
- Support the development and delivery
of the portfolio of development and support programmes delivered by the team
to support key stakeholder groups and special interest groups.
- The
post holder is required to work flexibly across the organisation; the
portfolio of work is likely to vary over time as will the balance of
administrative and development duties.
- The
post holder is largely expected to work on their own, using their own
initiative guided by the broad principles and NIHR Academy policies supported
by the Development & Support Manager and Senior Team.
Development
and Support Activities
- Work closely with the Senior
Development and Support Manager to ensure appropriate growth and development
of Development and Support Programmes
- Work on development and support
activities using own initiative in line with NIHR Academy policies and
procedures
- Work closely with the Development
and Support Officer to effectively deliver the programmes of work
- Work with the Communications team to
support eligible NIHR Academy Members to access Development and Support
programmes
- Provide support to Development and
Support programmes and look for opportunities to promote the leadership
development and mentorship programmes within existing development and support
programme channels
- Work with workforce leads cross NIHR
and other stakeholders including the Department of Health and Social Care
- Work closely with the finance team
to manage the programme budget and provide regular financial reporting
General
Programme Activities
- Be responsible for programme
recruitment and maintaining relationships with existing programme
participants
- Manage and review the recruitment
process ensuring it is appropriate and remains fit for purpose
- Organising programme training
opportunities
- Support contract management of
external suppliers and subject matter experts
- Report on the success and impact of
the programmes through written papers and presentations to the appropriate
stakeholder groups
- Write reports and working papers as
required to provide updates on the programmes
- Identify opportunities for growth
and development of the programmes to better serve the NIHR community
- Develop and communicate standard
operating procedures for the programmes and associated activities
- Manage the cycle and timing of
programme activities
- Develop materials to support
Development and Support programmes - e.g. onboarding documentation,
communications to promote the programme, standard operating procedures
- Identify training needs and plan
appropriate support/intervention for internal and external stakeholders
- Manage contracts and stakeholders
associated with the development and support programmes
- Review Development and Support
training materials and content and provide feedback to the provider where
necessary
Communications
- Work closely with the communications
team to develop and implement communications plans to promote development and
support programmes and attract relevant target audiences
- Communicate regularly with
stakeholders to maintain relationships and ensure their satisfaction with the
programme
- Communicate with award holders, both
those who are joining Development and Support programmes and those within the
community who may wish to join in the future
- Identify opportunities to
communicate and network with a wider range of NIHR stakeholders to grow the
potential mentor pool
- Communicate verbally and in writing
with staff and stakeholders at all levels in a confident and professional
manner
- Communicate with a range of people
nationally at all levels of seniority both internal and external to the NIHR
Academy in line with DHSC policies
- Develop and nurture strong
nationally-based networks and positive and collaborative working
relationships within NIHR, HEIs, NHS Trusts and other health-related
organisations, particularly at the level of senior research leaders/sponsors
to benefit the NIHR Academy programmes.
General
- Be aware of best practice and trends
in leadership development and mentoring to be able to inform and advise
colleagues as required and influence the development of the development and
support programmes
- Undertaking any ad hoc initiatives
as required by the NIHR Academy Executive Board members.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience in the delivery of personal and professional development programmes including leadership development, mentoring and coaching initiatives
- Experience in personal and professional development programme evaluation and how to identify return on investment
- Experience of working with suppliers, contract management, monitoring and evaluation
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively as an advocate for health and social care services research and development
- An interest in health and social care research
- Effective inter-personal skills, able to liaise with stakeholders
- Experience and a willingness of working across discipline boundaries
- Experience of complex programme and project management
- Understanding of procurement and contract management best practice
- Well-developed presentation skills and report writing, able to convey complex information
- Experience of working on complex, wide-ranging, time-critical projects and effectively managing the associated workload
Desirable
- Experience of developing and delivering in house personal and professional development programmes
- Experience of working with or within a healthcare, research or education environment
Skills & Behaviours
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team, build and maintain good working relationships
- Deliver work on time and proactively respond to new demands and changing priorities
- Effective influencing skills with the ability to deal tactfully with colleagues, senior academics, NIHR leaders, members of the public and various stakeholders
- Identify opportunities and approaches to achieve goals and make improvements
- Ability to plan and organise a range of new and ongoing activities
- Work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team
- Prioritisation of tasks
- Manage own time effectively
- Take personal responsibility
- Give clear information both verbally and in written communications
Desirable
- Ability to reprioritise tasks and take initiative
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree/ graduate diploma level or equivalent experience, preferably in the learning and development field
Desirable
- CIPD Level 5 or above
- ILM Level 3 or above in coaching and mentoring
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Experience of drafting reports, papers and presentations
- Confident and comfortable talking and presenting to others
- Ability to assimilate information, quickly and effectively applying knowledge to new problems
- Good working knowledge of word processing, databases, spreadsheets and Google suite
- Confidence in working with new technology and platforms
- Experience in developing and implementing standard operating processes
- Ability to work accurately with attention to detail
- Willingness to travel in UK, including occasional overnight absence
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience in the delivery of personal and professional development programmes including leadership development, mentoring and coaching initiatives
- Experience in personal and professional development programme evaluation and how to identify return on investment
- Experience of working with suppliers, contract management, monitoring and evaluation
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively as an advocate for health and social care services research and development
- An interest in health and social care research
- Effective inter-personal skills, able to liaise with stakeholders
- Experience and a willingness of working across discipline boundaries
- Experience of complex programme and project management
- Understanding of procurement and contract management best practice
- Well-developed presentation skills and report writing, able to convey complex information
- Experience of working on complex, wide-ranging, time-critical projects and effectively managing the associated workload
Desirable
- Experience of developing and delivering in house personal and professional development programmes
- Experience of working with or within a healthcare, research or education environment
Skills & Behaviours
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team, build and maintain good working relationships
- Deliver work on time and proactively respond to new demands and changing priorities
- Effective influencing skills with the ability to deal tactfully with colleagues, senior academics, NIHR leaders, members of the public and various stakeholders
- Identify opportunities and approaches to achieve goals and make improvements
- Ability to plan and organise a range of new and ongoing activities
- Work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team
- Prioritisation of tasks
- Manage own time effectively
- Take personal responsibility
- Give clear information both verbally and in written communications
Desirable
- Ability to reprioritise tasks and take initiative
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree/ graduate diploma level or equivalent experience, preferably in the learning and development field
Desirable
- CIPD Level 5 or above
- ILM Level 3 or above in coaching and mentoring
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Experience of drafting reports, papers and presentations
- Confident and comfortable talking and presenting to others
- Ability to assimilate information, quickly and effectively applying knowledge to new problems
- Good working knowledge of word processing, databases, spreadsheets and Google suite
- Confidence in working with new technology and platforms
- Experience in developing and implementing standard operating processes
- Ability to work accurately with attention to detail
- Willingness to travel in UK, including occasional overnight absence
