Job summary
An exciting role as Head of Partnerships for Research and Innovation has arisen to support MFT's ambitions to become nationally leading and globally competitive.
The right person will have extensive experience of delivering results through leading matrix, cross-disciplinary teams to demonstrable success.
With a deep understanding of NHS research, innovation or - ideally - both, you will be comfortable leading discussions with commercial and other external stakeholders and negotiating partnership relationships for mutual benefit, including evidenced examples of income generation, commercial opportunities and growth activity.
Operating in an environment of complexity, you will possess strategic acumen and advanced communication and influencing skills, whilst maintaining a sharp focus on detail, robust governance and operational delivery.
This is a rare opportunity for a motivated leader to join us in affecting change as we embark on our ambitious R&I strategic agenda.
Main duties of the job
- Build strategic partnerships with stakeholders from both public and private sector developing these into revenue for MFT, developing influence and key relationships at a senior and strategic level, and act as a key member of various stakeholder meetings
About us
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is a leading, integrated healthcare provider, the largest of its kind in specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, serving over 1 million people per year through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. With a workforce of 30,000 plus, we are at the forefront of system leadership, innovation, and transformation across Greater Manchester.As a senior manager, you will play a critical role in shaping and delivering our strategic objectives. You will lead complex programmes, drive operational excellence, and influence Trust-wide transformation, working collaboratively with or through Executive and Clinical Leaders to deliver sustainable improvements for our patients, staff, and communities.MFT offers a dynamic, inclusive environment where your leadership, vision, and expertise are valued. You will have the opportunity to lead high-impact projects, develop future talent, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, supported by advanced digital infrastructure and a commitment to professional development.Join us to make a lasting impact--help shape the future of our Trust, drive innovation, and deliver outstanding care for the people of Manchester, Trafford and beyond.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guidethat sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guidethat sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in a biomedical research, clinical or management discipline
- Master's qualification or equivalent experience in Research/ Innovation/ Management
Desirable
- PhD in relevant discipline
Experience
Essential
- Evidenced experience of delivering partnership activity with quantifiable outputs (financial, organisational, or patient benefit)
- Delivery of successful collaborative funding bids or contracts
- Experience of working in either an NHS, Academic or Commercial or technology transfer/ commercialisation department
- Experience of staff and budgetary management
- Experience of managing complex large-scale projects
- Management of a discrete business unit
- Experience working in a commercial environment
- Relationship management at an Executive/Board level.
Desirable
- Developing a stakeholder network at executive level resulting in commercial partnerships
Personal attributes
Essential
- Ability to achieve objectives consistently
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Negotiating and influencing skills
- Analytical and problem solving skills
- Highly developed networking and presentation skills
- Articulate
- Professional manner and appearance
- Flexible and highly motivated
- Organised with excellent time management
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Ability to think laterally
- Excellent team worker
- Able to work in situations of ambiguity
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in a biomedical research, clinical or management discipline
- Master's qualification or equivalent experience in Research/ Innovation/ Management
Desirable
- PhD in relevant discipline
Experience
Essential
- Evidenced experience of delivering partnership activity with quantifiable outputs (financial, organisational, or patient benefit)
- Delivery of successful collaborative funding bids or contracts
- Experience of working in either an NHS, Academic or Commercial or technology transfer/ commercialisation department
- Experience of staff and budgetary management
- Experience of managing complex large-scale projects
- Management of a discrete business unit
- Experience working in a commercial environment
- Relationship management at an Executive/Board level.
Desirable
- Developing a stakeholder network at executive level resulting in commercial partnerships
Personal attributes
Essential
- Ability to achieve objectives consistently
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Negotiating and influencing skills
- Analytical and problem solving skills
- Highly developed networking and presentation skills
- Articulate
- Professional manner and appearance
- Flexible and highly motivated
- Organised with excellent time management
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Ability to think laterally
- Excellent team worker
- Able to work in situations of ambiguity
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
