Portfolio Eligibility Officer

Manpower UK - RISE; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A national research organization in the UK is hiring a Portfolio Eligibility Officer to provide administrative support for a national research portfolio eligibility service. The role requires strong organizational and communication skills, experience in administrative support, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. This position involves processing research study applications, maintaining accurate records, and liaising with stakeholders to ensure timely decisions. A commitment to high-quality service delivery and collaboration is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in an administrative or operational support role.
• Strong organisational skills to manage competing deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills with attention to detail.
• Experience providing customer or stakeholder support.
• Strong IT skills including word processing and data management.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support for the national Portfolio Eligibility Service.
• Process research study applications according to eligibility policy.
• Maintain records in national data management systems.
• Produce reports for service monitoring and performance review.
• Liaise with stakeholders to improve service quality.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Customer service

IT skills

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Job description

Job Description

Portfolio Eligibility Officer / Research Administration Officer
Reporting to: Portfolio Eligibility Manager
Contract: Temp
Hours: Full-time
Location: UK-based (some national travel required)
Grade 5 : £16.26 per hour £29,588 pro rata

Role Overview

An established national research organisation is seeking a highly organised and detail-focused Portfolio Eligibility Officer to support the delivery of a national research portfolio eligibility service. This role plays a key part in ensuring research studies are accurately assessed for eligibility, recorded within national systems, and supported through clear, timely decision-making. The successful candidate will provide high-quality administrative, coordination, and data management support, working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders across the health and care research system. You will work within a collaborative, fast-paced environment that supports national research delivery, organisational transformation, and continuous service improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Eligibility & Administrative Support

• Provide comprehensive administrative support for the delivery of a national Portfolio Eligibility Service.
• Receive, log, validate, and process research study applications in line with Department of Health and Social Care eligibility policy and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure eligibility decisions are communicated clearly and within agreed timelines.
• Act as a key point of contact for customers and stakeholders, providing updates on application progress and eligibility processes.

Data, Systems & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records within national information and data management systems.
• Develop and maintain tracking and reporting tools to monitor application progress, performance metrics, and service outputs.
• Produce regular reports to support service monitoring, performance review, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure data accuracy, consistency, and compliance with organisational policies and guidance.

Stakeholder Liaison & Service Improvement

• Liaise daily with internal colleagues, customers, and external stakeholders.
• Assist in identifying operational issues and escalating emerging risks or delays using agreed escalation routes.
• Support the use of customer feedback and performance measures to improve service quality and user experience.
• Contribute to discussions on process improvement, system development, and service transformation initiatives.
• Support testing and implementation of new or improved digital systems and communication tools.

Additional Responsibilities

• Coordinate the assessment process for research funders seeking non-commercial partner status.
• Work flexibly to support organisational change, transformation programmes, and evolving ways of working.
• Provide mutual support to colleagues and contribute positively to team culture and shared objectives.

Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Proven experience in an administrative, coordination, or operational support role, ideally within the public sector, research, health, or higher education.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads, manage competing deadlines, and work flexibly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with high attention to detail.
• Experience providing customer service or stakeholder support in a structured or regulated environment.
• Experience managing information, maintaining databases, and producing clear, accurate reports.
• Strong IT skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, and data management systems.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative, and resolve problems efficiently, knowing when to escape.
• Demonstrated ability to follow policies, procedures, and guidance accurately and consistently.
• Collaborative approach with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective working relationships.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within research administration, portfolio management, grants, funding, or eligibility services.
• Experience supporting change management or transformation programmes.
• Familiarity with eligibility frameworks, compliance processes, or quality assurance environments.

Values & Ways of Working

• Proactive, professional, and solutions-focused approach.
• Flexible and adaptable to organisational change.
• Committed to collaboration, continuous improvement, and high-quality service delivery.
• Inclusive, respectful, and supportive team ethos.

If this is you apply now