Leadership and Governance Manager

Plymouth University; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is looking for a Leadership and Governance Manager to lead governance and operational management for a significant NIHR-funded mental health project. The role involves developing and managing governance structures, ensuring compliance, providing high-level guidance on ethics, and fostering collaboration across multiple partners. Candidates should have strong experience in strategic oversight, project management, and an understanding of research governance. The position offers generous annual leave and benefits, with an expected start date of April 1, 2026.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Development opportunities

Flexible working

Qualifications

• Experience managing collaborative, multi-organisation projects.
• Proven track record in project and programme management.
• Strong understanding of GDPR and ethical issues in research.
• Experience of providing skilled analysis and reporting of complex data.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage internal governance structures for the projects.
• Lead governance processes and advisory boards.
• Provide guidance on research ethics and regulatory compliance.
• Represent the project at various meetings.
• Ensure effective communication across partner sites.

Skills

Strategic oversight

Governance leadership

Project management

Relationship building

Education

Experience in governance frameworks and data protection

Job description

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About the role

As the Leadership and Governance Manager, you will provide leadership on governance and operational management for the programme and will contribute to strategic direction to ensure the effective delivery of project objectives across multiple partner organisations.

The key purpose of this post is to develop, coordinate, and manage a large NIHR-funded mental health award at the University of Plymouth along with lead investigators.

You will play a pivotal part in building research capacity, strengthening research governance processes, managing specific projects and facilitating collaboration across universities, NHS organisations, and community partners.

An essential aspect of the role will be to develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including NIHR, research partners, healthcare providers, and community representatives. You will also contribute to knowledge mobilisation, supporting dissemination of research findings and ensuring that outputs lead to measurable impact across the health and care system.

Key responsibilities

• Developing, coordinating, and managing internal administrative and governance structures, ensuring compliance with NIHR and University policies.
• Leading on governance processes including the management of advisory boards, steering groups, and executive committees.
• Providing high-level guidance and oversight on matters of research ethics, data protection, and regulatory compliance.
• Representing the project and University of Plymouth at local, regional, and national meetings, ensuring visibility and alignment with NIHR strategy.
• Providing expert advice and interpretation of governance and regulatory frameworks to colleagues and partners.
• Ensuring effective communication and collaboration across all project partner sites.

The project is due to start 1 April 2026 with an expected end date of 31 March 2031 due to the nature of the project and funding.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role please contact Laura Gill via email at [e-mail].

What we’re looking for

You will have experience of strategic oversight of project planning, delivery, and evaluation, including leadership of governance structures, financial monitoring, reporting, and performance management.

Experience

You will also have the following:

• Experience of managing collaborative, multi-organisation projects, with a proven track record in project and programme management within research and/or healthcare settings.

• Experience of people management and team leadership and of managing complex budgets, contracts, and performance monitoring processes.
• Experience of developing and implementing governance frameworks and administrative systems and hold a strong understanding of data protection (GDPR) and ethical issues in research.
• Experience of working both independently and as part of a cross-functional team as well as being able to provide skilled analysis, interpretation, and reporting of complex data.
• Experience of working with researchers at different stages in their career and hold a proven track record demonstrating experience of leadership development in a health, care, and/or research setting.

For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.

Application Process

Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.

Anticipated Interview Date

Wednesday 14 January 2026 (in person)

Our Offer

A successful external candidate for this position would be employed by the University of Plymouth Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Plymouth. Employees of the University of Plymouth Services Limited work alongside the University of Plymouth colleagues in delivery of Plymouth's strategic vision, and will adopt the University of Plymouth's HR policies and procedures in full unless otherwise stated.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave: 35 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays & Closure Days
• Generous pension scheme
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working
• Retailer discounts
• On-site nursery

A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here .

Additional Information

The University of Plymouth is an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed regardless of their background. To find out more about our inclusive community initiatives, such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter, please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages .