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Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority

Senior Research Manager

The closing date is 20 July 2025

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Job summary

We are looking for a full-time Senior Research Manager to join our Research and Intelligence team to lead on data research across the HFEA, managing research applications to access large and sensitive datasets for specific research purposes. The HFEA holds the longest running national dataset of fertility treatment in the world keeping a record of every patient, partner, donor, and child born as a result of fertility treatment since 1991. The Senior Research Manager works to ensure applications for data meet requirements set out in our legal framework and ensures projects are compliant with current data protection law.

It is hoped that the successful candidate will be in post by early September and the contract will be for 12 months, however, if a later start date is agreed the contract will still end in September 2026.

Interviews will take place w/c 28th July.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will require previous experience working with large datasets and liaising with researchers from a range of backgrounds to relay the strengths and limitations of the data we hold. They will champion our register data for research at conferences and meetings, as well as improving our engagement with researchers through mailing lists and webinars.

The post holder will also contribute and lead on publications such as our flagship annual publication, Fertility Trends, working with team members to ensure accuracy and relevance to our audiences. Recent publications include our National Patient Survey and our Family formations in fertility treatment report.

About us

The HFEA is the UK's independent regulator overseeing safe and appropriate practice in fertility treatment and embryo research. We license and monitor clinics carrying out IVF, donor insemination, and human embryo research.

This post is offered as either office based (in which case you will need to attend the office at least one day per week)or home based (in which case office attendance will be specified by your line manager based on business need). Our office is in Stratford, east London, in attractive new premises on the edge of the Olympic Park, alongside several other health Arms Length Bodies. In addition to flexibility and hybrid working we offer generous annual leave and pension arrangements.

The HFEA is a member of the Community Race and Work Charter and the Disability Confident Charter. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and supportive working environment that is free from any form of discrimination. We recognise that there are real benefits of having a diverse community of staff and aim for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society. Additionally, we adopt a culture that hopes to attract and retain talented individuals that want to work with us.

In November 2024, the HFEA was awarded People Insight's Outstanding Workplace Award 2024.

We reserve the right to close this post early should the need arise. You are advised to apply as and when you see this post and do not wait until just before the closing date.

Details

Date posted

03 July 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£45,500 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

G0002-25-0008

Job locations

2nd Floor

2 Redman Place

London

E20 1JQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is proactive, can work effectively as part of a team, and who has good written and verbal communication skills including an ability to handle sensitive public enquiries relating to the data we hold. You should be able to demonstrate experience of managing projects and of working with a variety of stakeholders. You should also have the skills required to analyse large datasets and be able to summarise and identify key points from a wide range of evidence.

Good time management skills and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively are key given the varied nature of this role. You will be educated to degree level or equivalent and have extensive experience of statistical analysis in a healthcare or public setting.

Key responsibilities

1. Manage the work of the Register Research Panel, ensuring business is conducted according to the law.

2. Line manage the Research Officer, who is responsible for the secretariat work of the panel.

3. Represent the HFEA at national and international conferences, seminars and external working groups, presenting as required and where needed.

4. Be the main advisory contact for data research for the senior management team, the HFEA Chair, and external organisations such as other ALBs or professional societies.

5. Lead on provision of guidance and information, both internally and externally, on matters relating to data research, seeking legal advice as necessary.

6. Negotiate data processing agreements on behalf of the HFEA engaging both with internal and external stakeholders, liaising with legal advisors as appropriate.

7. Provide expertise in analysing a range of information and on the structure and quality of Register data over time, liaising with internal and external stakeholders to determine their requirements and relaying the strengths and limitations of Register data.

8. Work closely with the Data and Insights Analysts and colleagues in IT to oversee preparation of data extracts for research projects and their secure transfer to relevant research establishment storage systems.

9. Work with a range of colleagues and stakeholders to champion the use of register data for research purposes. This will include managing our quarterly data research newsletter and planning webinars/events for researchers.

10. Contribute to our official statistics publications such as our flagship corporate publication, Fertility Trends, and reports on more specific topics of interest in the sector such as recent reports examining variations in fertility treatment access and outcomes by ethnicity (see our Research and Data page).

11. Work with the Data and Insights Analysts and Head of Research and Intelligence to translate extracts of data from the Register and other sources into publications and reports for internal and external use, and ensuring we base our policy and regulatory approach on evidence.

12. Responsible for preparing responses to freedom of information requests and parliamentary questions as required, ensuring responses are in line with our statutory responsibility.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is proactive, can work effectively as part of a team, and who has good written and verbal communication skills including an ability to handle sensitive public enquiries relating to the data we hold. You should be able to demonstrate experience of managing projects and of working with a variety of stakeholders. You should also have the skills required to analyse large datasets and be able to summarise and identify key points from a wide range of evidence.

Good time management skills and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively are key given the varied nature of this role. You will be educated to degree level or equivalent and have extensive experience of statistical analysis in a healthcare or public setting.

Key responsibilities

1. Manage the work of the Register Research Panel, ensuring business is conducted according to the law.

2. Line manage the Research Officer, who is responsible for the secretariat work of the panel.

3. Represent the HFEA at national and international conferences, seminars and external working groups, presenting as required and where needed.

4. Be the main advisory contact for data research for the senior management team, the HFEA Chair, and external organisations such as other ALBs or professional societies.

5. Lead on provision of guidance and information, both internally and externally, on matters relating to data research, seeking legal advice as necessary.

6. Negotiate data processing agreements on behalf of the HFEA engaging both with internal and external stakeholders, liaising with legal advisors as appropriate.

7. Provide expertise in analysing a range of information and on the structure and quality of Register data over time, liaising with internal and external stakeholders to determine their requirements and relaying the strengths and limitations of Register data.

8. Work closely with the Data and Insights Analysts and colleagues in IT to oversee preparation of data extracts for research projects and their secure transfer to relevant research establishment storage systems.

9. Work with a range of colleagues and stakeholders to champion the use of register data for research purposes. This will include managing our quarterly data research newsletter and planning webinars/events for researchers.

10. Contribute to our official statistics publications such as our flagship corporate publication, Fertility Trends, and reports on more specific topics of interest in the sector such as recent reports examining variations in fertility treatment access and outcomes by ethnicity (see our Research and Data page).

11. Work with the Data and Insights Analysts and Head of Research and Intelligence to translate extracts of data from the Register and other sources into publications and reports for internal and external use, and ensuring we base our policy and regulatory approach on evidence.

12. Responsible for preparing responses to freedom of information requests and parliamentary questions as required, ensuring responses are in line with our statutory responsibility.

Person Specification

Knowledge & skills

Essential

  • Knowledge of quantitative/qualitative research methodologies and approaches
  • Knowledge of current best practice relating to information governance and data protection

Desirable

  • Understanding of publishing official statistics

Managing work

Essential

  • Strong time management skills and an ability to be flexible and proactive, and use initiative to prioritise workload
  • Excellent organisational skills and record keeping, using appropriate software and systems skilfully

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience of statistical analysis in a healthcare or public setting, particularly administrative datasets
  • Experience of building and maintaining good relationships with and influencing key stakeholders
  • Good written and oral communication skills
  • Experience working with committees
  • Experience of responding to public enquiries, FOIs and/or data subject requests

Desirable

  • Experience using Power BI, Tableau or similar
  • Line management experience

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent

Desirable

  • Masters degree in quantitative analysis, public health or similar
Person Specification

Knowledge & skills

Essential

  • Knowledge of quantitative/qualitative research methodologies and approaches
  • Knowledge of current best practice relating to information governance and data protection

Desirable

  • Understanding of publishing official statistics

Managing work

Essential

  • Strong time management skills and an ability to be flexible and proactive, and use initiative to prioritise workload
  • Excellent organisational skills and record keeping, using appropriate software and systems skilfully

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience of statistical analysis in a healthcare or public setting, particularly administrative datasets
  • Experience of building and maintaining good relationships with and influencing key stakeholders
  • Good written and oral communication skills
  • Experience working with committees
  • Experience of responding to public enquiries, FOIs and/or data subject requests

Desirable

  • Experience using Power BI, Tableau or similar
  • Line management experience

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent

Desirable

  • Masters degree in quantitative analysis, public health or similar

Employer details

Employer name

Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority

Address

2nd Floor

2 Redman Place

London

E20 1JQ


Employer's website

https://www.hfea.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority

Address

2nd Floor

2 Redman Place

London

E20 1JQ


Employer's website

https://www.hfea.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Research & Intelligence

Amanda Evans

amanda.evans@hfea.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

03 July 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£45,500 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

G0002-25-0008

Job locations

2nd Floor

2 Redman Place

London

E20 1JQ


Supporting documents

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