Digital Navigator | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional mental health service provider in Greater Manchester is seeking a Research and Innovation Digital Navigator. This role entails managing the implementation of digital mental health projects while collaborating with healthcare professionals and stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a background in digital health research and a proven ability to support service users and professionals in utilizing mental health tools effectively. Significant opportunities for professional development and contribution to a national programme are part of this unique position.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Experience in managing digital health projects.
• Strong analytical skills to support project implementation.
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Support the rollout of digital mental health innovations.
• Assist in managing project timelines and deliverables.
• Coordinate focus groups and workshops involving stakeholders.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Data analysis

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Digital mental health tools

Database management software

Job description

Description of the Unit or Project

The post holder will work within the GM.Digital Research Unit supporting a portfolio of digital mental health projects which form part of the UK Mental Health Goals Programme. The Mental Health Goals (MHG) programme aims to create an innovative alliance between people with mental health conditions – whose views are often not prioritised – and industry – who face unparalleled challenges in mental health R\&D – to accelerate precision psychiatry and deliver valuable new treatments that work for those who need them. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/life-sciences-healthcare-goals/mental-health-goals

The post holder will be actively involved in developing innovative approaches to implementing new digital innovations in mental health services. This is an unique opportunity to work within a programme of major national significance for mental health with a variety of stakeholders (industry, researchers, clinicians, lived experience experts). The postholder will be part of a key national team driving innovation in mental health.

The Research and Innovation Digital Navigator will contribute towards supporting service users, healthcare professionals and researchers to use digital mental health tools. The Navigator will be involved in driving the design and implementation of digital mental health projects to support the UK Mental Health Goals Programme. The postholder will contribute to the accurate collection and secure management of data, and assist with quantitative and qualitative analysis. They will work widely with a range of stakeholders including service users, healthcare professionals, senior NHS leaders, researchers, industry partners and other key digital mental health stakeholders. They will also support the coordination and facilitation of focus groups and digital co‑design workshops with participants.

The post-holder will receive line management support from the Digital Navigator Team Lead/Research Unit Manager based in the GM.Digital Research Unit in Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH). This includes regular line management supervision, clear objective setting for 3, 6 and 12 months and annual appraisals thereafter (depending on continued funding for the post).

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations. We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond. Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options. Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity. Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Implementation of digital mental health innovations

• To support the roll‑out and implementation of digital mental health research and innovations in mental health services
• To develop and refine models for implementation of digital tools in mental health
• To work with broader national and local mental health innovation and research teams to develop implementation playbooks and approaches to support digital tools

Communication and networking

• To regularly liaise with the healthcare professionals and other collaborators to identify and recruit eligible service users for digital innovations
• To assist with the promotion of the digital tools to stakeholders
• To contribute towards writing papers about digital implementation for reports and publications
• To help present information on implementation progress and outcomes to management groups
• To assist with the presentation of findings at internal and external meetings, and conferences nationally and internationally; and
• To liaise with research colleagues and support administrative staff on routine matters
• To communicate effectively with national and international stakeholders in-person and virtually

Administrative activities

• To contribute to the development/design of implementation approaches with the members of the team
• To assist with the running of any pilots, innovations and research studies
• To liaise with relevant funding bodies, research support network (e.g. NIHR Research Design Service, MRC, OLS) and R\&I departments of partner organisations
• To assist with the running of focus groups or consultation groups with service users and/or other stakeholders to inform research and innovation
• To assist in running meetings, including production of agendas, writing of minutes and reports and taking follow‑up action as required
• To support the team members on other relevant research/administrative activities as required

Research & Innovation management

• To populate, maintain and manage relevant and accurate databases on a daily basis, ensuring they represent a comprehensive and accurate record of progress
• To work effectively under time‑pressure in order to meet tight deadlines and project milestones
• To retrieve complex data from digital tools and analyse outcomes to produce summary reports on activity for a variety of purposes
• To implement research and innovation policies / standard operating procedures for their own work area and to be able to propose improvements to policies/procedures where relevant
• To assume responsibility for the safe and secure use of equipment
• To provide advice or demonstrate own activities or workplace routines to new research staff or temporary researchers working on the project
• To contribute to the production of accurate information and timely submission of the Progress Reports to the relevant bodies (e.g. funders, the Trust)
• To organise their own day‑to‑day tasks and activities; the post holder must be able to take significant responsibility for planning and implementation of specific elements of the research activities conducted by the Unit
• To have a reliable method of transporting themselves independently to the Unit’s site and willing to travel to meetings with other team members and relevant stakeholders throughout the UK, and internationally if required
• To be aware of national developments, attend national events and undertake any necessary and relevant training to keep up to date with research developments and related issues as required
• Comply with data management and quality assurance according to regulatory guidelines (ICH GCD and Data Protection Act 1998)
• Comply with departmental policies concerning security, safety and patient confidentiality and to ensure that procedures are carried out with safe systems of work and current legislation
• The post holder may be required to carry out other related tasks that may not be specifically mentioned above. The job description may be reviewed and amended at a later date.

This advert closes on Thursday 1 Jan 2026.