Strategic Academic Lead, Black Internship Programme

HDR UK; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR UK seeks an influential Academic Lead on a secondment to drive the Black Internship Programme (BIP) across the UK health data research sector. You will provide intellectual leadership, advocate publicly, and shape partnerships and funding to grow reach, sustainability and impact.

You will work with HDR UK's Talent and Training team, interns, alumni, hosts and partners to advance inclusive career pathways and institutional commitments to change.

Responsibilities

• Act as the senior academic figurehead and strategic champion for HDR UK's Black Internship Programme (BIP).
• Articulate a compelling vision for the programme’s future and position it as a catalyst for systemic change.
• Champion diversity, inclusion and representation in health data research and its impact on research excellence.
• Develop thought leadership on barriers to entry, progression and retention for Black talent in research.
• Represent HDR UK and the BIP at senior-level meetings, conferences and external stakeholder engagements.
• Build relationships with universities, funders, policymakers, and industry partners to secure commitments.
• Identify opportunities to influence institutional policies and recruitment practices.
• Lead growth and sustainability strategies, including fundraising and partnerships.
• Advance multi-year funding models and extend reach through alumni development and new pathways.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Advocacy

Partnership development

Diversity & inclusion

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

HDR UK seeks an influential Academic Lead on a secondment to drive the Black Internship Programme (BIP) across the UK health data research sector. You will provide intellectual leadership, advocate publicly, and shape partnerships and funding to grow reach, sustainability and impact.

You will work with HDR UK's Talent and Training team, interns, alumni, hosts and partners to advance inclusive career pathways and institutional commitments to change.