Engagement and Operations Officer, Capacity Building

HDR UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR UK is seeking an enthusiastic Engagement and Operations Officer to support delivery of its programmes in London and across the UK. The role blends hands-on operations with relationship management, events and outreach to build a thriving community of interns, scholars, alumni and partners.

You will coordinate activities, represent HDR UK at fairs and conferences, and develop accessible communications that showcase opportunities and impact, while ensuring high-quality participant experiences

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex programmes with strong stakeholder management.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel across the UK and to London as required.
• Strong communications and outreach abilities.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end delivery of HDR UK's programmes, including recruitment, onboarding and events.
• Be the first contact for participants and partners, providing guidance and timely follow-up.
• Maintain schedules, records and documentation; monitor milestones and issues.
• Coordinate meetings, webinars, workshops and career activities, including logistics.
• Assist budgets, procurement and administration per HDR UK procedures.
• Improve processes using digital tools, while safeguarding data and accessibility.
• Collaborate with teams to deliver shared objectives and promote inclusive talent development.

Skills

Relationship management

Event coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Communications

Project coordination

Travel readiness

Job description

Must be willing and able to travel to London and elsewhere (mainly UK) in connection with the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly organised and relationship-focused Engagement and Operations Officer to support the delivery and continued development of these programmes.

This is a varied, outward-facing role combining hands‑on operational delivery with relationship management, community building and proactive engagement. You will help ensure that our programmes run smoothly and provide an excellent experience for participants, while building lasting relationships with interns, scholars, alumni, host organisations, universities, employers and other partners.

You will be a key point of contact for participants and partners, helping them navigate their involvement with HDR UK, connecting people with opportunities and ensuring they feel informed, supported and part of a wider community.

You will also help grow our programmes by identifying and engaging new host organisations, partners and prospective participants. This will involve representing HDR UK at careers fairs, conferences and networking events; delivering presentations; hosting webinars and information sessions; and developing compelling communications that showcase our opportunities and impact.

The ideal candidate will combine excellent attention to detail with confidence in engaging people, a proactive approach to building networks and a genuine commitment to widening access to opportunities in health data research.

1. Programme operations and delivery

• Support end‑to‑end delivery of the Black Internship Programme, Masters Scholarships and alumni activities, including recruitment, selection, placements, awards, onboarding, events, training and programme close.
• Act as a first point of contact for participants and partners, providing clear guidance and timely follow‑up.
• Maintain accurate schedules, plans, databases, records and documentation, and monitor milestones, deadlines and operational issues.
• Coordinate meetings, workshops, webinars, networking and careers activities, including speakers, logistics, registrations, materials and follow‑up.
• Support budgets, expenditure, procurement and administration in line with HDR UK procedures.
• Improve processes and communications through effective use of digital tools and automation, while maintaining confidentiality, data protection, accessibility and safeguarding.

2. Participant engagement and relationship management

• Build trusted relationships with interns, scholars and alumni, providing a welcoming, responsive and supportive experience.
• Understand participants’ interests, aspirations and development needs, connecting them with relevant opportunities, resources and networks.
• Maintain regular, relevant communications on programme milestones, events, learning and careers, and encourage continued engagement.
• Build an active participant and alumni community through peer support, mentoring, networking and knowledge sharing.
• Create opportunities for alumni to contribute as speakers, mentors, ambassadors and recruiters.
• Gather feedback, celebrate achievements and capture consented stories to improve delivery and demonstrate impact.

3. Host organisation and partner engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with hosts, universities, employers, mentors and other partners.
• Provide clear guidance, communications, briefings and ongoing support so partners understand programme processes and responsibilities.
• Help hosts provide inclusive, development‑focused experiences, resolving queries and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Strengthen existing partnerships and encourage repeat participation, referrals and wider contributions through mentoring, careers and alumni activity.
• Research and engage prospective partners across academia, industry, healthcare, government and the wider health data sector, converting interest into participation.
• Maintain accurate stakeholder, engagement and follow‑up records.

4. Outreach, recruitment and programme growth

• Deliver outreach to attract strong applicants, hosts, scholarship partners and supporters, with targeted approaches for under‑reached audiences.
• Represent HDR UK at careers fairs, university events, conferences and professional networks, delivering presentations and information sessions.
• Organise webinars, Q&As and recruitment events for prospective participants and partners.
• Build relationships with universities, careers services, student societies, professional networks and community organisations.
• Create accessible recruitment materials, presentations, case studies, testimonials and digital content with colleagues and partners.
• Track outreach, enquiries, attendance, application sources and conversion, and follow up interest to generate applications and partnerships.

5. Alumni network and wider community development

• Grow and maintain an engaged alumni network with accurate contact and career‑progression records.
• Coordinate networking, webinars, mentoring, career conversations and opportunities to share expertise.
• Connect alumni with current participants, hosts, employers and the wider health data research community.
• Engage alumni as speakers, mentors, ambassadors, recruiters and advisers on future programme development.
• Maintain relevant communications and develop consented stories and case studies that celebrate achievements and demonstrate impact.

6. Monitoring, evaluation and communications

• Maintain reliable data on applications, participation, placements, awards, engagement, feedback and outcomes.
• Coordinate monitoring, surveys and feedback, using findings to assess performance and improve delivery.
• Prepare clear updates, reports, presentations and summaries for colleagues, funders and partners.
• Track outreach, event and communications activity to assess reach, effectiveness and growth opportunities.
• Support newsletters, website and social media content, and maintain accurate, consented impact stories and testimonials.
• Help develop consistent processes and reporting across the talent programme portfolio.

7. Teamwork and wider contribution

• Collaborate with the Talent and Training team and colleagues across HDR UK to deliver shared objectives and wider initiatives.
• Share insight and good practice across programmes, identifying opportunities for joined‑up activity and continuous improvement.
• Contribute ideas that strengthen participant experience, stakeholder engagement and long‑term sustainability.
• Represent HDR UK professionally as an ambassador for inclusive talent development and a diverse health data research workforce.

applicants must be living in, and eligible to work in, the UK. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

We politely request no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

For more information, please download the Job Description

Engagement and Operations Officer, Capacity Building - Job Description