Research Programmes Manager

CamWebDir; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Alzheimer’s Research UK in Cambridge is seeking a Research Programmes Manager to lead two major initiatives, the Drug Discovery Alliance and Brains for Dementia Research, and to collaborate across the organisation and with external partners to maximise impact.

You will manage papers, meetings, and minutes, monitor progress and data, build strong stakeholder relationships, and help shape the strategic programme team’s direction while line-managing a Research Officer.

Qualifications

• Degree in Biomedical Science, or equivalent relevant knowledge and experience.
• Experience and/or in-depth knowledge in early-stage drug discovery, ideally in dementia
• Proven experience managing large programmes of work, preferably in the healthcare, research or charity sector
• Strong project management skills, with experience managing multiple priorities, overseeing budgets and identifying risks
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including external partners and suppliers
• Experience defining programme requirements and using data and metrics to determine improvements
• Experience of managing staff and/or leading the delivery of work through others.
• Commitment to ARUK’s vision, mission and values
• Good analytical skills demonstrated by a structured and methodical approach
• Excellent eye for detail with a focus on continuous improvement
• Strong communication skills both oral and written with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences
• Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task, prioritise competing demands
• Demonstrated stakeholder management (internal & external), and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage a varied workload and prioritise tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to use own initiative, with a proactive and problem-solving attitude
• Willingness to travel, including occasional overnight travel

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of two major initiatives, Drug Discovery Alliance (DDA) and Brains for Dementia Research (BDR), and other initiatives as required.
• Lead the preparation of papers and briefings for meetings, and support the Research Officer to ensure minutes and actions are captured and followed up on
• Monitor and disseminate the impact of the DDA and BDR, to effectively tell the story of the initiatives and identify gaps
• Monitor key programme progress, scientific developments and major outputs
• Work with the Impact team to ensure data gathered from the programme meets the needs of the wider organisation in terms of communicating progress and impact
• Work with the Public Involvement team to ensure the initiatives are reflective of the needs of people with lived experience
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the initiatives to identify opportunities to maximise their impact and value.
• Collaborate with the Head of Strategic Programmes and colleagues across the Research Directorate and wider ARUK to identify opportunities to strengthen programme objectives, provide updates on progress, and promote achievements.
• Act as a key point of contact and subject matter expert for the initiatives, both internally and externally.
• Contribute to internal meetings, including discussions and content on strategic programmes and new initiatives
• Maintain up to date knowledge of developments in the dementia research field
• Attend meetings and events to build relationships and promote our strategic programmes
• Support the Research Leadership team to enhance ARUK’s external profile through active participation in meetings and collaborations with key stakeholders
• Line management of a Research Officer, effectively delegating work to support delivery of their objectives
• Help to promote an inspiring team culture where personal development is prioritised

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Data analytics

Communication

Time management

Problem solving

Initiative

Travel flexibility

Education

Biomedical Science degree

Job description

Research Programmes Manager

We have established a number of high‑profile strategic initiatives to help us advance our work towards a cure. We now have an exciting opportunity for a Research Programme Manager to support the successful ongoing delivery of two of our major initiatives, the Drug Discovery Alliance and Brains for Dementia Research, and collaborate across the organisation and externally to maximise their impact. Where required, the successful candidate will also support the ongoing delivery of our other major initiatives, working collaboratively across the organisation to maximise their impact both internally and externally.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the delivery of two of ARUK’s major initiatives, Drug Discovery Alliance (DDA) and Brains for Dementia Research (BDR), and other initiatives as required:

Lead the preparation of papers and briefings for meetings, and support the Research Officer to ensure minutes and actions are captured and followed up on
Monitor and disseminate the impact of the DDA and BDR, to effectively tell the story of the initiatives and identify gaps:

• Monitor key programme progress, scientific developments and major outputs
• Work with the Impact team to ensure data gathered from the programme meets the needs of the wider organisation in terms of communicating progress and impact
• Work with the Public Involvement team to ensure the initiatives are reflective of the needs of people with lived experience

Stakeholder management

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the initiatives to identify opportunities to maximise their impact and value.
• Collaborate with the Head of Strategic Programmes and colleagues across the Research Directorate and wider ARUK to identify opportunities to strengthen programme objectives, provide updates on progress, and promote achievements.
• Act as a key point of contact and subject matter expert for the initiatives, both internally and externally.

Support development of the strategic programme team’s strategy:

• Contribute to internal meetings, including discussions and content on strategic programmes and new initiatives
• Maintain up to date knowledge of developments in the dementia research field
• Attend meetings and events to build relationships and promote our strategic programmes
• Support the Research Leadership team to enhance ARUK’s external profile through active participation in meetings and collaborations with key stakeholders

Line Management Responsibilities:

• Line management of a Research Officer, effectively delegating work to support delivery of their objectives
• Help to promote an inspiring team culture where personal development is prioritised

Knowledge, skills and experience needed:

• Degree in Biomedical Science, or equivalent relevant knowledge and experience.
• Experience and/or in-depth knowledge in early-stage drug discovery, ideally in dementia
• Proven experience managing large programmes of work, preferably in the healthcare, research or charity sector
• Strong project management skills, with experience managing multiple priorities, overseeing budgets and identifying risks
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including external partners and suppliers
• Experience defining programme requirements and using data and metrics to determine improvements
• Experience of managing staff and/or leading the delivery of work through others.
• Commitment to ARUK’s vision, mission and values
• Good analytical skills demonstrated by a structured and methodical approach
• Excellent eye for detail with a focus on continuous improvement
• Strong communication skills both oral and written with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences
• Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task, prioritise competing demands
• Demonstrated stakeholder management (internal & external), and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage a varied workload and prioritise tasks, work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to use own initiative, with a proactive and problem-solving attitude
• Willingness to travel, including occasional overnight travel

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.
Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals. This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.
Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD.
Salary: Circa £44,000 per annum, plus benefits.
Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.
The closing date for applications is the 20th September 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.
We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, particularly from those in the global majority, those with disabilities, men and those from the LGBTQIA+ community. Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.
As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.