Health and Clinical Research Policy Manager

Blood Cancer UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health charity in the UK is looking for a Health and Clinical Research Policy Manager to provide expert policy analysis and build strong relationships with stakeholders to improve access to blood cancer treatments. This role requires a scientific background and experience in influencing policy and regulatory decisions. You'll work closely with clinicians, researchers, and decision-makers to ensure timely adoption of innovative treatments. The role is hybrid, with expected office attendance of 2-4 days a month.

Benefits

Award-winning benefits package

Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusivity

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of the UK health and life sciences landscape.
• Experience with researchers, clinicians, and scientific stakeholders.
• Ability to rapidly interpret scientific regulatory data.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert scientific and policy analysis.
• Develop policy positions on regulatory and access challenges.
• Horizon scan the pipeline of new blood cancer treatments.
• Analyse barriers in the UK clinical research system.
• Build and maintain relationships with regulators.
• Provide contributions to Health Technology Assessments.
• Assess opportunities within NHS approval pathways.
• Represent the charity in coalitions and working groups.
• Organise and deliver events for stakeholders.
• Update internal teams with insights.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Excellent written and verbal communication

Ability to understand complex scientific concepts

Excellent problem-solving skills

Fluency in digital collaboration tools

Understanding user needs

Relationship-building with senior stakeholders

Education

Scientific degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Health and Clinical Research Policy Manager

Application Deadline: 6 January 2026

Department: Research, Policy & Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London/Hybrid

Compensation: GBP 42,000 - GBP 47,000 / year

Description

We're the UK's specialist blood cancer charity and our vision is clear: we're here to beat blood cancer. We fund world‑class research; provide information and support to patients and their loved ones; and raise awareness of blood cancer.

Blood Cancer UK is seeking a Health and Clinical Research Policy Manager to provide expert analysis of blood cancer treatment development in the UK. You will shape policy positions, influence the health and life sciences system, and ensure patients benefit from faster, fairer access to treatments. The role involves horizon scanning new treatments, influencing policy and regulatory decisions, and building strong relationships with parliamentarians, healthcare professionals, researchers, industry, and people affected by blood cancer.

You will contribute to internal and external policy strategy, sit on relevant coalitions and working groups, and support adoption of new treatments within the NHS. The ideal candidate will have a scientific background, expert knowledge of the UK clinical research environment, strong analytical skills, and experience developing policy positions and influencing high-profile stakeholders. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of people affected by blood cancer.

Expected travel for this role is to attend the office 2‑4 days per month; there may also be additional need to attend in‑person events such as conferences or coalition events.

Our culture and benefits package are award‑winning, and our staff survey tells us that we’re a great place to work.

We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. In line with our strategy we welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minority communities, and from applicants with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide expert scientific and policy analysis on developments across the UK health and life sciences environment so that Blood Cancer UK can shape policy.
2. Develop policy positions and propose solutions on regulatory, research and access challenges so that decision‑makers can take clear action to improve outcomes for people with blood cancer.
3. Horizon scan the pipeline of new and emerging blood cancer treatments entering late‑stage trials or regulatory review so that the organisation can prioritise timely and effective influencing activity.
4. Analyse barriers in the UK clinical research system by working with clinicians and researchers so that Blood Cancer UK can advocate for improvements to trial set‑up, delivery and workforce capacity.
5. Build and maintain relationships with regulators and government bodies including MHRA, NICE, NHS England, OLS and academic research infrastructure so that Blood Cancer UK can influence policy and regulatory reform.
6. Provide scientific contribution to Health Technology Assessments and other regulatory processes so that submissions are robust, evidence‑led and reflective of patient need.
7. Assess barriers and opportunities within NHS and life sciences approval pathways so that the organisation can propose changes that accelerate uptake of new blood cancer medicines.
8. Build and maintain a network of relationships across the health and life sciences sector so that Blood Cancer UK can strengthen influence, gather insights and represent the blood cancer community effectively.
9. Represent the charity in relevant coalitions and working groups including the AMRC Clinical Research Advisory Group
10. Organise and deliver events, meetings and briefings for parliamentarians, officials and stakeholders so that key messages are communicated clearly and opportunities for influence are created.
11. Update and support internal teams and supporters by sharing insights and responding rapidly to external developments so that colleagues and volunteers can contribute effectively to influencing activity.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Knowledge

• A scientific degree or relevant equivalent experience
• Expert knowledge of the UK health and life sciences landscape, particularly including the clinical research environment and adoption and spread of new innovations
• Knowledge and experience of working with researchers, clinicians and scientific stakeholders.
• Knowledge of working with researchers, clinicians and scientific stakeholders.

Skills and abilities

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret scientific regulatory and system data
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to convey complex issues clearly.
• Ability to rapidly understand and explain high‑level scientific and systems concepts
• Excellent problem‑solving skills, with logical, evidence based reasoning
• Fluent in digital collaboration tools to meet, share and work effectively with colleagues.
• Commitment to understanding user needs and behaviours and applying these insights to shape policy, services and communications.
• Ability to stay continually informed about external changes in the health and life sciences environment that affect the treatment development pathway in the UK.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships with senior stakeholders across government, NHS, research and industry.

Experience

• Developing background papers and policy positions for non‑technical audiences
• Achieving policy change and influencing high‑profile individuals
• Producing clear, persuasive written materials for policy makers and staff to tight deadlines.
• Working in a policy or research role for a charity, government body or relevant industry setting.