Head of strategic research development

Kidney Research UK; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health charity in Peterborough seeks a Head of Strategic Research Development to lead and enhance research efforts. This role involves managing the delivery of research strategy, overseeing research programme managers, and collaborating with various partners. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in the health or biomedical sectors and demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills. The position offers a salary range of £50,000 to £55,000 and the opportunity for hybrid working.

Benefits

Annual leave of 25 days plus bank holidays

Flexible working hours

Generous pension contributions

Sick pay benefits

Employee Assistance Programme

Private medical insurance

Qualifications

• Experience in research strategy, development, funding or portfolio management.
• Ability to lead and inspire others while fostering professional growth.
• Strong communication skills to liaise with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of research strategy.
• Mobilise collaborations for research funding initiatives.
• Provide line management for research programme managers.

Skills

Research strategy development

Leadership

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Experience in health, biomedical or life sciences sector

Job description

Head of strategic research development

Contracted to our Peterborough office with the flexibility for hybrid working

Salary £50,000 - £55,000 Depending On Experience

Full time: 37.5 hours per week

Be a part of an energetic and vibrant team who are driven by the desire to improve the lives of people living with kidney disease. Our vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease.

Reporting Line

Reporting into the director of research development and partnerships, the head of strategic research development leads the development and delivery of Kidney Research UK’s research strategy in our priority and emerging research areas, working closely with our research and health system-facing teams.

Responsibilities

The role is responsible for horizon scanning and translating strategic priorities into deliverable research funding initiatives, mobilising multi-partner collaborations that accelerate progress from concept to delivery.

The post-holder will also provide line management for the research programme managers, offering direction, guidance and professional development to ensure coherent delivery across research themes and initiatives.

As a senior member of the team, the post-holder will deputise for the director of research development and partnerships as required, representing the charity with senior stakeholders, making timely decisions, and ensuring strategic continuity across portfolios.

Qualifications

You will have experience in research strategy, development, funding or portfolio management within the health, biomedical or life sciences sector. You’ll combine strategic insight into how research is funded and evaluated with the ability to lead and inspire others, fostering professional growth and wellbeing.

You will be a strategic thinker, confident and assertive, able to make sound decisions, delegate effectively and keep processes moving at pace. Strong communication skills (written, verbal and interpersonal) will enable you to work well across teams, build productive relationships with colleagues, and to influence and liaise effectively with external stakeholders.

EEO Statement

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone and encourage applications from all sections of the community.

Benefits

• LOCATION
  Our main office is set in the city centre, a short walk from the bus and train station, with direct services from Cambridge, Norwich, Birmingham, Leicester, Leeds, Liverpool, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. London King’s Cross is just 45 minutes away. The building is adjacent to the A15, just a few minutes from the A1 and direct connections to the national road network. Cyclists also benefit from Peterborough’s Green Wheel, a network of routes in and around the city, providing safe links to all areas.
• FLEXIBLE WORKING Flexible working hours with start and finish times around core hours of 9.30 – 4.30.
• ANNUAL LEAVE All full time employees start with paid bank holidays plus another 25 days holiday, increasing with every year of service to a maximum of 30. This is calculated on a pro rata basis for part time employees. Employees have the option to “sell” up to one-week annual leave, in a pre-set window prior to the start of the holiday year.
• PENSION The charity makes a generous contribution of 6% to a group pension plan. Employees will need to contribute a minimum of 2%, to meet the current pension regulations. All employees are enrolled in the pension scheme as soon as they join the charity, regardless of their salary levels, whether they are on a permanent or fixed-term contract.
• PARENTAL LEAVE We comply fully with all legislation with relation to maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.
• SICK PAY Charity sickness benefit is available once an employee has worked with us for three months and equates to 2 weeks full pay, 2 weeks half pay in any rolling 52 week period. After one year’s service, this rises to 4 weeks full pay and 4 weeks half pay, and after two years to 8 weeks full pay and 8 weeks half pay.
• DEATH IN SERVICE Covers all employees after three months’ service, whether on permanent or fixed-term contract, and pays four times salary in the event of death while employed. The cover is provided up to your 65th birthday or the state pensionable age, whichever is greater.
• EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME A confidential email or phone line available to all employees who need support, advice or counselling with respect to work and non-work related issues.
• BIKE LOAN SCHEME We offer an interest free loan for employees who wish to purchase a bicycle, whether for travel to and from work or to enter an event for the charity.CYCLE2WORK SCHEME Through a salary sacrifice scheme, we offer a tax efficient way of purchasing a bicycle, for travel to and from work, where the cost is paid over 12 months.
• EYECARE We offer to cover the cost for eye tests and help towards glasses where these are required for computer work (in line with legislation).
• LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT We offer a variety of webinars and training courses so that employees can develop and reach their full potential. There are regular sessions for knowledge sharing across the charity and opportunities to get involved in events, research visits and volunteering activities.
• PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE All staff can choose to opt in to the private medical insurance, arranged and paid for by the charity, which includes dental and optical cover. Staff can include their partner and / or children at their own expense.
• DISCOUNT PORTAL All employees can take advantage of free access to discounted Cards and Vouchers for top retailers.
• INTEREST FREE LOAN We offer an interest free loan scheme for all staff. Employees can borrow up to £1,000, which will be deducted over a 12-month period from your net salary (similar to a season ticket loan), but without the need to specify what the loan is for.

Department

Research

Contract type

Permanent

Hours

Full time: 37.5 hours per week

Salary

£50,000 - £55,000 depending on experience

Contact

Telephone interviews will be held as soon as possible.

Closing Dates

Closing date: Wednesday 3 December 2025. We have reopened the advert, but please apply as soon as possible, as we may close the advert at any time.

Closing date for applications 10th January, 2026

Interviews will be held as soon as possible.

No agencies please.

If you are interested in the position, please complete the online application form and submit together with your CV.