Head of Evaluation

UKRI; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research funding organization in Greater London is seeking a Head of Evaluation to develop high-quality evaluation programmes. This role focuses on synthesizing evaluation insights to shape policy decisions and enhance funding strategies in biomedical research. Candidates should have extensive experience in leading evaluations, managing teams, and engaging with stakeholders. This full-time position offers a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and a range of benefits including generous leave and pension schemes.

Benefits

Defined benefit pension scheme

30 days annual leave

Employee discounts on retail

Employee assistance programme

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading evaluation programmes within research funding or public policy sectors.
• Strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methodologies.
• Ability to translate data into strategic insights for policy-making.
• Excellent skills in data interpretation and presentation to various audiences.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and experience in team management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver high-quality evaluation programmes for MRC funding outcomes.
• Design and oversee monitoring and evaluation projects across funding schemes.
• Ensure analytical outputs align with MRC’s strategy and policy.
• Build relationships with stakeholders to ensure effective evaluations.
• Provide expert advice on evaluation design and methodologies.
• Lead and develop a small team while fostering a collaborative culture.

Skills

Leading complex evaluation programmes

Using evaluation methodologies

Synthesize complex analytical evidence

Data interpretation and presentation

Stakeholder engagement

Managing teams and developing talent

Job description

Head of Evaluation – Medical Research Council

Salary: 58589 per annum (plus 5385.00 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 MRCs 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 synthesize 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!

For further information on our benefits: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.