Impact Manager – IS8 Life sciences

Medical Research Council; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Annual leave 30 days

Employee discounts

Employee assistance programme

Flexible working

Job summary

Medical Research Council, based at Polaris House in Swindon, is seeking an Impact Manager for fixed-term coverage ending 31 March 2030. Hybrid working is available, with a minimum 0.8 FTE, and both full-time and part-time options.

The role focuses on monitoring the IS-8 portfolio, coordinating evaluation activities, and delivering actionable insights to inform strategic decisions across UKRI and government stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience in research management and evaluation.
• Experience in benefits management or continuous improvement.
• Strong ability to present evidence to inform senior decision makers.
• Understanding of research funding landscape in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Lead monitoring and evaluation of the IS-8 portfolio and related investments.
• Develop and implement an impact framework using mixed methods.
• Coordinate with Evaluation and Analysis Team and IS-8 team to deliver evidence-informed insights.
• Produce high-quality reports and strategic insights for funding decisions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

UK research funding ecosystem

Evidence to decision makers

Job description

Contract Type: Fixed Term (Ending 31/03/30)

Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available)

Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available

Closing Date: Sunday 1st November 2026

About the Role

The Impact Manager will play a central role in managing the IS-8 portfolio through monitoring the benefits arising from the IS-8 portfolio and other strategic investments from MRC. Working between the Evaluation and Analysis Team and IS-8 team, the postholder will lead the design, coordination and delivery of monitoring and evaluation activities that inform strategic decision making, monitor activity and demonstrate the value and reach of the IS-8 portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Delivery of Evaluation and Monitoring

Lead monitoring and evaluation assessing progress, outcomes, reach and long-term benefit of funding. This will include impact and process evaluations in line with the Magenta and Green books, M&E plans, monitoring reports and support for Business Cases and risk management.

Develop and implement an impact framework to manage and track investment, using mixed methods evidence including qualitative insight, quantitative indicators and strategic metrics. Support funded programmes to embed impact planning throughout the research lifecycle, including logic models, theories of change and proportionate timely monitoring and evaluation approaches.

Stakeholder Engagement

Work closely with MRC colleagues and other partners to identify and gather evidence and case

studies to support and track impact and ensure findings are useful to senior leaders in UKRI and key stakeholders across Government.

Insight, Reporting and Learning

Compile data and measures to report on progress and outcomes. Produce high quality reports and strategic insights that inform funding decisions and organisational learning. Support capability-building and champion best practice in evaluation and impact reporting across MRC. Contribute to UKRI wide communities of practice on evaluation, impact and monitoring.

Person Specification

• Experience in research management, evaluation, benefits management, or continuous improvement
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail to determine and measure outputs and outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication and influencing skills.
• Understanding of the UK research funding ecosystem.
• Ability to present evidence and actionable insight to inform and support senior decision makers.

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!

A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined salary 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!

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.