Senior Manager: NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Thames Valley

University of Oxford; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in Oxford is seeking a Project Manager for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration. The role involves leading strategic project management to deliver high-quality health research and manage partnerships across various sectors. Applicants should have a postgraduate qualification, extensive experience in project management, and strong financial oversight skills. This position offers a flexible working model and supports diversity and inclusion initiatives in a dynamic academic environment.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

38 days annual leave

Childcare services

Family leave schemes

Cycle loan scheme

Discounted bus travel

Membership to social and sports clubs

Qualifications

• Postgraduate Master’s qualification or equivalent experience required.
• Extensive experience of managing and delivering complex projects across organisations.
• Significant experience of business or research planning and budget setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective project management for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration.
• Lead the development, implementation and review of strategies and business plans.
• Manage ARC resources, including budget oversight and financial planning.

Skills

Project management

Financial management

Strategic planning

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Postgraduate Master’s qualification

Job description

Reporting to Professor Kamaldeep Bhui, you will provide effective, strategic project management for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Thames Valley programme, leading the ARC core team and working closely with the Co‑Directors to deliver high‑quality applied health research and maximise impact across health and social care systems.

Benefits

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

About the Role

The post is funded on a fixed‑term basis from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031 and is based in the Department of Psychiatry at the Warneford Hospital. This post is available on a flexible basis, with the option of hybrid by arrangement (minimum on site working 3 days/week). You will take overall responsibility for the operational and project management of the ARC Thames Valley, reporting to the ARC Co‑Directors. You will work closely with Theme Leads and their research groups to ensure the delivery of high‑quality services to stakeholders, identify risks or gaps in provision, and support delivery in line with contractual requirements. You will also lead the development, implementation and review of strategies, business plans, policies and standard operating procedures, ensuring alignment with University, NHS and national guidance. You will play a senior strategic role internally and externally, representing and championing the ARC with NIHR, sponsors and partners, contributing to national ARC collaborations, and coordinating responses to external reviews and emergent national priorities. You will also lead and support strategic partnerships across health, social care, academic and community settings, embedding principles of equality, diversity and inclusion throughout ARC activity. You will manage ARC resources and reporting, including budget oversight, financial planning, contracting and sub‑contracting, and the preparation of reports for NIHR and other stakeholders. In addition, you will provide leadership and management of the ARC core team, ensuring effective performance management, staff development, and compliance with governance and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

You will have a postgraduate Master’s qualification or equivalent experience, alongside strong knowledge of collaborative research funding programmes. You will bring extensive experience of managing and delivering complex projects across multiple organisations, and you will have worked at senior management level with executive teams or boards within complex environments. You will have significant experience of business or research planning, including analysing complex situations and developing strategic and tactical approaches, as well as proven expertise in budget setting and financial management. You will be an excellent communicator, able to synthesise large volumes of information and present clear insights to diverse stakeholders to support strategic decision‑making. You will also have a demonstrated track record of leading large‑scale change programmes, motivating and engaging teams to deliver complex initiatives. You will be highly organised, self‑motivated and adaptable, with proven success in achieving targets, monitoring performance and driving continuous improvement.

Diversity and Inclusion

Committed to equality and valuing diversity. Our active Psychiatry People and Culture teams and initiatives including our values and behaviours framework work to make the Department of Psychiatry as supportive, welcoming and inclusive as possible.

Location and Department

Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX. The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world‑class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic. The Department is based on the Warneford Hospital site in Oxford – a friendly, welcoming place of work with an international reputation for excellence. The Department has a substantial research programme, with major funding from Medical Research Council (MRC), Wellcome Trust and NIHR and provides highly rated medical training in psychiatry. The Head of Department is Professor Belinda Lennox.