The Christie NHS FT

Senior Research Project Manager

The closing date is 05 October 2025

Job summary

We are looking for a resourceful and motivated individual to join our Living With & Beyond Cancer (LWBC) research theme, who enjoys working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries.The NIHR funds Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) as experimental medicine centres of excellence via competitive application every five years. Manchester BRC was awarded £64.1 million (2022-28) to provide infrastructure funding across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Cumbria Manchester Biomedical Research Centre Manchester Biomedical Research Centre

The post holder will be expected to drive the delivery of BRC objectives across Themes and Clusters, provide accurate, timely and high-quality reports on project progress and outputs against forecasts and strategic aims both internally (including to the BRC senior management team) and to external bodies (including the NIHR), and will work with theme/cluster leads, programme leads and key researchers to identify and overcome risks to ensure successful delivery of the theme objectives.

We support flexible working, with home-based and office-based options. Some travel across Greater Manchester may be required.This is a part-time role at 0.5FTE, for a fixed term until March 2028. If already employed by The Christie, an internal secondment would be considered. Agenda for Change banding is pending for this post and therefore this is Band 7 subject to evaluation.

Main duties of the job

You will be the primary point of contact for Manchester BRC LWBC Theme management. You will develop and maintain appropriate project plans and performance management systems, ensuring that timely and accurate progress updates are provided as required, and analyse and evaluate Theme progress on a regular basis, formulating, presenting and implementing strategies to minimise risk and maximise benefit to the BRC.You will manage the Theme budget, produce reports including the Theme annual report and ad hoc internal reports.You will develop and report impact cases and work closely with the BRC Communications team to ensure newsworthy items are identified and reported in a timely fashion.You will support industry and charity collaborations and help source external funding opportunities to further develop the research theme.

About us

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

Details

Date posted

23 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

30 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

413-98209-RI-MS

Job locations

Endocrinology - Q01362

Manchester

M20 4BX


Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Managerial and Administrative Activities

1. The primary point of contact for BRC LWBC project management, particularly around the development of research projects and reporting of project outputs.2. Develops and coordinates programmes of work within themes and as a Cluster.3. Develops and maintains appropriate project plans and performance management systems, ensuring that timely and accurate progress updates are received by the BRC and Divisional Senior Management Teams, Trust Board and Executive Directors, and by the NIHR/DHSC and other external stakeholders as required.4. Oversees and interacts with local project teams in the management and delivery of projects including MFT, BRC partner Trusts and University employees and, where appropriate, external organisations.5. Analyses and evaluates project progress on a regular basis, formulating, presenting and implementing strategies to minimise risk and maximise benefit to the BRC, accountable body and funder.6. Works closely with the BRC, CRF, R&I operational teams and University departments to coordinate and provide analytical support relating to current objectives and future strategy at Theme and Cluster level.

Job description

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Managerial and Administrative Activities

1. The primary point of contact for BRC LWBC project management, particularly around the development of research projects and reporting of project outputs.2. Develops and coordinates programmes of work within themes and as a Cluster.3. Develops and maintains appropriate project plans and performance management systems, ensuring that timely and accurate progress updates are received by the BRC and Divisional Senior Management Teams, Trust Board and Executive Directors, and by the NIHR/DHSC and other external stakeholders as required.4. Oversees and interacts with local project teams in the management and delivery of projects including MFT, BRC partner Trusts and University employees and, where appropriate, external organisations.5. Analyses and evaluates project progress on a regular basis, formulating, presenting and implementing strategies to minimise risk and maximise benefit to the BRC, accountable body and funder.6. Works closely with the BRC, CRF, R&I operational teams and University departments to coordinate and provide analytical support relating to current objectives and future strategy at Theme and Cluster level.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent experience gained in a work environment
  • Post Graduate Diploma or equivalent in work experience
  • Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

  • PhD, MSc or Further qualifications in Health Research or equivalent experience gained in a work environment

EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Experience of developing and maintaining comprehensive and systematic systems for collecting and processing project information
  • Experience of managing budgets and liaising with finance staff
  • Experience of writing a range of reports, strategy documents and grant applications.
  • Recent experience of line management including completing PDRs.
  • Significant experience of leading and managing a number of projects simultaneously from inception through to completion and evaluation, with demonstrable focus on delivery of outputs / targets
  • Experience of successful working with a range of internal and external stakeholders to manage project delivery
  • Experience of developing and delivering collaborative projects between multiple organisations/stakeholders
  • Experience of analysing complex data to assess risk and monitor progress against plans, managing deviations and issues appropriately to ensure successful project delivery
  • GCP trained

Desirable

  • Recent experience of working in both a university and NHS research setting
  • Experience of delivering training to junior staff
  • Experience in bringing about and managing change
  • Experience of working and/or liaising with industry
  • Experience of using software and online tools related to research outputs (e.g. MIMAS Web of Knowledge, ISI Journal Citation index, Scopus, Zotero, Endnote)

SKILLS

Essential

  • Comprehensive IT skills (including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, databases, Internet and email)
  • Analytical and judgment skills, ability to think strategically, identify risks and solve problems
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal including the ability to formulate presentations, reports, bid documents and guidelines to a range of audiences
  • Ability to represent the BRC to external partners and stakeholders
  • Ability to influence and negotiate with different professions and organisations and within a multidisciplinary environment
  • Working to tight deadlines and ability to prioritise competing demands under pressure to achieve targets
  • Good time management skills
  • Ability to exercise own initiative
  • Good attention to detail
  • Enthusiastic, resolute and flexible approach to work

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Knowledge of NHS and/or University research

Desirable

  • Knowledge of NHS and/or University research

VALUES

Essential

  • Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

OTHER

Essential

  • Will require some level of home-working and travel across partner organisations for meetings and events
  • Cross cover within core management team may be required
Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent experience gained in a work environment
  • Post Graduate Diploma or equivalent in work experience
  • Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

  • PhD, MSc or Further qualifications in Health Research or equivalent experience gained in a work environment

EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Experience of developing and maintaining comprehensive and systematic systems for collecting and processing project information
  • Experience of managing budgets and liaising with finance staff
  • Experience of writing a range of reports, strategy documents and grant applications.
  • Recent experience of line management including completing PDRs.
  • Significant experience of leading and managing a number of projects simultaneously from inception through to completion and evaluation, with demonstrable focus on delivery of outputs / targets
  • Experience of successful working with a range of internal and external stakeholders to manage project delivery
  • Experience of developing and delivering collaborative projects between multiple organisations/stakeholders
  • Experience of analysing complex data to assess risk and monitor progress against plans, managing deviations and issues appropriately to ensure successful project delivery
  • GCP trained

Desirable

  • Recent experience of working in both a university and NHS research setting
  • Experience of delivering training to junior staff
  • Experience in bringing about and managing change
  • Experience of working and/or liaising with industry
  • Experience of using software and online tools related to research outputs (e.g. MIMAS Web of Knowledge, ISI Journal Citation index, Scopus, Zotero, Endnote)

SKILLS

Essential

  • Comprehensive IT skills (including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, databases, Internet and email)
  • Analytical and judgment skills, ability to think strategically, identify risks and solve problems
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal including the ability to formulate presentations, reports, bid documents and guidelines to a range of audiences
  • Ability to represent the BRC to external partners and stakeholders
  • Ability to influence and negotiate with different professions and organisations and within a multidisciplinary environment
  • Working to tight deadlines and ability to prioritise competing demands under pressure to achieve targets
  • Good time management skills
  • Ability to exercise own initiative
  • Good attention to detail
  • Enthusiastic, resolute and flexible approach to work

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Knowledge of NHS and/or University research

Desirable

  • Knowledge of NHS and/or University research

VALUES

Essential

  • Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours

OTHER

Essential

  • Will require some level of home-working and travel across partner organisations for meetings and events
  • Cross cover within core management team may be required

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

The Christie NHS FT

Address

Endocrinology - Q01362

Manchester

M20 4BX


Employer's website

https://www.christie.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

The Christie NHS FT

Address

Endocrinology - Q01362

Manchester

M20 4BX


Employer's website

https://www.christie.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Research Programme Manager/Cancer Cluster Manager

Emma Thorpe

Emma.thorpe@nhs.net

07751434957

Details

Date posted

23 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

30 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

413-98209-RI-MS

Job locations

Endocrinology - Q01362

Manchester

M20 4BX


Supporting documents

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