Senior Research Project Manager

NHS; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Manchester is looking for a motivated individual to join their research team. This part-time role requires strong project management skills, budget oversight, and excellent communication abilities. The ideal candidate will have relevant qualifications and experience in collaborative projects, with a focus on research in the cancer treatment field. Flexible working options are provided, with a salary of £47,810 to £54,710 pro rata.

Qualifications

• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Knowledge of NHS and/or University research.

Responsibilities

• Be the primary point of contact for project management.
• Oversee and coordinate project delivery with local project teams.
• Manage the Theme budget and produce reports.

Skills

Comprehensive IT skills

Analytical and judgment skills

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to influence and negotiate

Good time management and attention to detail

Education

Degree level or equivalent experience

Postgraduate Diploma or equivalent

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Databases

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a resourceful and motivated individual to join our Living With & Beyond Cancer (LWBC) research theme, who enjoys working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams across organisational boundaries. The NIHR funds Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) as experimental medicine centres of excellence via competitive application every five years. Manchester BRC was awarded £64.1 million (2022-28) to provide infrastructure funding across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Cumbria Manchester Biomedical Research Centre.

The post holder will drive the delivery of BRC objectives across Themes and Clusters, provide accurate, timely and high-quality reports on project progress and outputs against forecasts and strategic aims both internally (including to the BRC senior management team) and to external bodies (including the NIHR). The role requires working with theme/cluster leads, programme leads and key researchers to identify and overcome risks to ensure successful delivery of the theme objectives. This is a part-time role at 0.5 FTE, fixed term until March 2028, with flexible home/office working options. Some travel across Greater Manchester may be required. If already employed by The Christie, an internal secondment would be considered. Agenda for Change banding is pending; therefore this is Band 7 subject to evaluation.

Details of the role include the duties and responsibilities described below.

Main duties

• Be the primary point of contact for Manchester BRC LWBC Theme management, developing and maintaining project plans and performance management systems, and providing timely and accurate progress updates to the BRC, Divisional Senior Management Teams, Trust Board and Executive Directors, and external stakeholders (e.g., NIHR/DHSC).
• Oversee and coordinate project delivery with local project teams, including MFT, BRC partner Trusts and University staff, and where appropriate, external organisations.
• Analyse and evaluate project progress regularly, formulating and implementing strategies to minimise risk and maximise benefit to the BRC, accountable body and funder.
• Coordinate with BRC, CRF, R&I operational teams and University departments to provide analytical support relating to current objectives and future strategy at Theme and Cluster level.
• Manage the Theme budget and produce reports including the Theme annual report and ad hoc internal reports.
• Develop and report impact cases and work with the BRC Communications team to identify and report newsworthy items in a timely fashion.
• Support industry and charity collaborations and help source external funding opportunities to further develop the research theme.

About Us

The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire. We are also an international leader in research with a large early clinical trial unit and extensive cancer services.

Details

• Date posted: 23 September 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 7
• Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year pro rata
• Contract: Fixed term
• Duration: 30 months
• Working pattern: Part-time
• Reference: 413-98209-RI-MS
• Location: Endocrinology - Q01362, Manchester, M20 4BX

Job Description / Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Postgraduate Diploma or equivalent in work experience
• Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable Qualifications

• PhD, MSc or further qualifications in Health Research or equivalent experience

Experience

• Experience of developing and maintaining comprehensive systems for collecting and processing project information
• Experience of managing budgets and liaising with finance staff
• Experience of writing reports, strategy documents and grant applications
• Recent line management experience including PDRs
• Significant experience of leading multiple projects from inception to completion and evaluation
• Experience of working with diverse stakeholders to manage project delivery
• Experience of developing and delivering collaborative projects between multiple organisations
• Experience of analysing complex data to assess risk and monitor progress
• GCP trained

Skills

• Comprehensive IT skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, databases, Internet and email)
• Analytical and judgment skills with strategic thinking and risk management
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for reports and presentations
• Ability to represent the BRC to external partners
• Ability to influence and negotiate within a multidisciplinary environment
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritise competing demands
• Good time management and attention to detail
• Enthusiastic, resolute and flexible approach

Knowledge

• Knowledge of NHS and/or University research (Essential)

Other

• Some home-working and travel across partner organisations for meetings and events
• Cross cover within core management team may be required

Disclosures

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A Disclosure to the DBS will be required.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered. See UK Visas and Immigration guidance for details.