Head of Evaluation

UK Research and Innovation; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A national research funding body is seeking a Head of Evaluation to lead the development and delivery of a strategic evaluation programme. This role is crucial for ensuring that investments in biomedical research are based on solid evidence and impact assessments. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in evaluation programmes and the ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights. The position offers a hybrid working environment, competitive salary, and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme

30 days annual leave

Employee discounts

Employee assistance programme

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading complex evaluation programmes ideally within research funding.
• Strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methodologies.
• Ability to synthesize analytical evidence into strategic insights.
• Excellent data interpretation skills for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of MRC's evaluation strategy.
• Oversee monitoring and evaluation projects.
• Provide strategic oversight for analytical outputs.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Champion innovation and best practices in evaluation.

Skills

Leading complex evaluation programmes

Using evaluation methodologies

Synthesizing analytical evidence

Data interpretation skills

Stakeholder engagement

Managing teams

Job description

Head of Evaluation

Medical Research Council

Salary: £58,589 per annum (plus £5,385.00 London allowances if applicable)

Band: UKRI - Band F

Team: MRC - HO Evaluation and Analysis (Admin)

Contract Type: Open ended

Hours: Full-time

Location: Caxton House, London / Polaris House, Swindon - Hybrid working available

Closing Date: 14th December 2025

About the role

The Head of Evaluation will lead the development and delivery of a strategic, high‑quality evaluation programme bringing together evaluation and insight on the outcomes of our funding, and the mechanisms used to award it. This role is central to ensuring MRC's investments in biomedical research are informed by robust evidence, learning, and impact assessment. You will work closely with colleagues across UKRI, government departments, other funders and the wider research and innovation ecosystem to shape policy, improve practice and understanding, and demonstrate the value of public investment in biomedical science.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement MRC's evaluation strategy and direction to demonstrate outcomes and impact from MRC funding in the context of UKRI and the broader life sciences sector. Lead evaluation across MRC, to ensure research and initiatives have suitable M&E activity, including adequate resources committed and appropriate oversight implemented.

Programme delivery

Design and oversee a portfolio of monitoring and evaluation projects, including impact and process evaluations, M&E plans, support for Business Cases, and thematic and portfolio reviews across MRC's funding schemes and strategic initiatives. This will include evaluations delivered in house and externally commissioned.

Insight and Integration

Provide strategic oversight to ensure analytical outputs are aligned with MRC's strategy and policy priorities and broader UKRI objectives. Translate complex evidence into clear, actionable insights that inform decision‑making, bridge the gap between policy and analysis, and support the development of robust, intelligence‑led strategies across MRC's funding portfolio.

Stakeholder Engagement

Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including other funders and policymakers, to ensure methods are robust and up to date and insights from evaluation are relevant, credible, and used effectively.

Methodological Expertise

Provide expert advice on evaluation design, theory of change, mixed‑methods approaches, and data interpretation, presentation and messaging. Champion innovation and best practice in evaluation and ensure that evaluation outputs meet the needs of key stakeholders across Government.

Team Leadership

Lead and develop a small team, to deliver the evidence base and impact narrative fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture.

Personal Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential

• Proven experience in leading complex evaluation programmes and analysis resulting in insights and recommendations, ideally within research funding, health, or public policy sectors. (S / I)
• Strong understanding and analytical experience of using evaluation methodologies (quantitative and qualitative) and impact assessment frameworks. (S / I)
• Proven ability to synthesise complex analytical evidence into strategic insights that inform policy and organisational decision‑making, with experience in aligning evaluation outputs to broader priorities and translating data into usable intelligence. (S / I)
• Excellent data interpretation and presentation skills to translate data and inform decision‑making of different audiences. (S / I)
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills. (I)
• Experience in managing teams and developing talent. (S / I)

Desirable

• Knowledge or experience of the biomedical research and innovation landscape. (S)
• Experience of commissioning research and overseeing its delivery. (S / I)
• Experience working with government departments or in a policy‑influencing or strategy role. (S)

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

Application Information

Please apply online; if you experience any issue applying, please contact [e-mail].

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who opt into the scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Legal and Safety Information

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening / vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re‑run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

If you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact [e-mail].

Further Information

For further information on our benefits please see https://www.ukri.org/benefits-of-working-at-ukri.

More information can be found at https://www.ukri.org.