Director - UK Trusted and Connected & Data Analytics Research Environments (DARE UK)

MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 165,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

A collaborative research organization is seeking a Director for the DARE UK programme to lead sensitive data research initiatives across the UK. This role requires strong leadership skills, the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, and expertise in programme delivery. The successful candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to building a community around Trusted Research Environments. The role offers a competitive salary and generous benefits, including annual leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus 8 days for Bank Holidays

Annual leave purchase scheme

Medical Cash-Plan and Doctorline

Wellbeing support, including access to the TogetherAll app

Generous pension scheme with 10% employer contributions

Qualifications

• Proven ability to deliver large-scale programmes at pace.
• Strong knowledge of security, privacy, and analytics in data infrastructures.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders across various sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the second phase of the DARE-UK programme.
• Build new capabilities for sensitive data research.
• Engage stakeholders and promote consensus around standards.

Skills

Leadership and persuasion

Community engagement

Programme design and delivery

User-focused software development

Knowledge of data infrastructures

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Building cross-functional relationships

Expertise in Trusted Research Environments

Job description

bDirector - UK Trusted and Connected & Data Analytics Research Environments (DARE UK)

bSalary: £165,000 - £175,000 per annum before pro‑rating

bLocation: Flexible. Primary base could be anywhere in the UK but must be willing and able to travel to London and elsewhere (mainly UK) in connection with the role.

bReporting To: DARE UK Programme Board.

bHours: Full Time

bContract: Concluding 31 March 2027

bSecondment: The successful applicant will join HDR UK as their employer, while spending the majority of their time (0.9 FTE) seconded to UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC). This unique arrangement offers the best of both worlds: you’ll enjoy HDR UK’s supportive employment terms and conditions, while being embedded within the MRC to collaborate closely with leading stakeholders with the weight and backing of UKRI behind you.

bClosing Date: 18 January 2026

bTo view the full job description, please click ‘Apply’ to visit our careers site, where you can download the applicant pack and learn more about the role.

ABOUT THE ORGANISATIONS

bHealth Data Research UK (HDR UK): HDR UK is the national Institute for data science in health. HDR unlocks UK‑wide health data assets to drive breakthroughs in prevention, detection, and treatment.

bAdministrative Data Research (ADR UK): ADR UK is a partnership of government and academic groups, led by a team within UKRI’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). ADR links and secures administrative datasets for research via Trusted Research Environments.

bUK Research and Innovation (UKRI): UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. UKRI supports world‑class research, skills, and innovation across disciplines.

bUK Trusted and Connected Data and Analytics Research Environments (DARE UK): A UKRI programme building a federated national digital infrastructure. DARE UK Develops secure, interoperable Trusted Research Environments for sensitive data.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an exceptional individual to lead the second phase of the DARE‑UK programme. This role will deliver, as part of the Phase 2 Programme, three key work programmes:

• bTransformational Programmes: Building new capabilities to support sensitive data research across the UK, supporting the testing and adoption of these capabilities, and demonstrating real‑world scientific impact using these capabilities.
• bNext‑Generation Proof of Concepts: Developing prototypes of next‑generation capabilities needed to enable future innovative sensitive data research.
• bCommunity Building, Engagement and Standards: Supporting a vibrant community of stakeholders. Through collaboration, the programme will promote information sharing and consensus building around common standards and good practice.

ABOUT YOU

• Lead, persuade and inspire teams and diverse stakeholders around a shared vision for TREs across the UK.
• Engage widely to identify opportunities for expanding DARE UK across the UKRI remit.
• Proven ability to design and deliver large‑scale programmes at pace (community, software, infrastructure, R&D).
• Track record in delivering complex, user‑focused software and infrastructure with attention to ethics and public trust.
• Strong knowledge of secure data infrastructures for research (security, privacy, cybersecurity, storage, analytics, standards).
• Experienced in working with Executives, Boards and senior stakeholders across academia, industry, policy and government.
• Effective leader of multidisciplinary teams, using a coaching, supportive and visionary management style.
• Skilled in building credibility and strong relationships with cross‑functional partners in industry, NHS, academia, charities and government.
• Deep expertise in Trusted Research Environments (TREs).

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS

• 27 days annual leave plus 8 days for Bank Holidays
• Annual leave purchase scheme
• Medical Cash‑Plan and Doctorline
• Wellbeing support, including access to the TogetherAll app
• Generous pension scheme, with 10% employer contributions