Overview
The Clinical Infection Research Group (CIRG) is seeking an experienced Research Programme Manager to lead the strategic and operational delivery of a high-value research portfolio, ranging from cutting‑edge clinical translational studies in the UK to multi‑stakeholder national and international collaborative studies. Managing over 30 active grants and working alongside 8 clinical academic Principal Investigators, you will oversee a complex, highly translational programme of research projects focused at the intersection of global health, infectious diseases and laboratory immunology.
The Senior Programme Manager will be accountable for complete programme lifecycle management, resource planning, risk management and team leadership, ensuring successful implementation of high‑impact research within a dynamic academic environment. Additionally, this role acts as the lead project manager for key grants within the programme, fulfilling all funder‑mandated project management responsibilities including reporting, financial forecasting and milestone delivery for these specific awards. Key additional responsibilities will include scaling research operations, managing internal and external stakeholder relationships, navigating national and international regulatory landscapes, and leading our vibrant and diverse multidisciplinary teams.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Strategic Programme Leadership: Develop and implement the long‑term operational strategy for CIRG, including infrastructure resilience, equipment management and workforce planning to sustain a "core" staff model across multiple funding streams.
- Institutional and Clinical Partnerships: Work across multiple University Schools, Faculties and Institutes, alongside Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and other closely affiliated partners to support coordinated programme delivery and alignment with interdisciplinary networks such as the Sheffield BRC.
- Portfolio & Financial Oversight: Hold delegated responsibility for significant programme budgets, overseeing financial planning, effective fund distribution to global collaborators as well as forecasting and resource allocation across the portfolio. Monitor performance against agreed objectives, ensuring compliance with funder, regulatory and University requirements, and taking corrective action where necessary.
- Specialised Technical Oversight: Lead the operational setup of novel clinical infectious disease research studies (e.g., Human Challenge Models), developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), leading procurement of specialised products and ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies.
- Strategic Portfolio, Programme & Project Delivery: To lead the group research portfolio while retaining direct operational responsibility for specific, high‑priority or complex grants as required. The post‑holder will operate with a high degree of agility, acting as the designated project manager for individual grants where the scale, risk or technical complexity requires senior‑level oversight to ensure successful delivery.
- People Management: Directly line manage members of the CIRG (including both laboratory and professional services staff) and provide strategic co‑management for the wider research group to support a high‑performance and high‑quality research environment.
- International Operations: Lead on the complex logistics of global health research, including navigating complex non‑UK regulatory environments, managing international shipping and international mobility.
- Strategic Development & External Engagement: Contribute to the development of funding strategies, major grant submissions and research commercialisation activities. Represent the programme in internal and external forums, building effective partnerships with collaborators, funders, service providers and regulatory bodies nationally and internationally.
Qualifications
- PhD Degree in infectious diseases or equivalent professional expertise in clinical research/infectious disease research.
- Background in microbiology/virology, immunology and host‑genomics with the technical competency to manage the procurement of specialised clinical research products, the production of laboratory SOPs and regulatory documentation for clinical studies.
- Experience of leading on the delivery of international clinical research projects with multiple partners in high‑ and low‑resource settings.
- Extensive experience of pre‑award management and relevant University costing systems and a track record of contributing to the development and writing of grant proposals.
- Experience authoring documents to a high standard, specifically grant progress and financial reports for funders/other stakeholders and tender documents.
- Extensive experience in leading, motivating and developing others, including direct line management of professional services and technical staff, including experience of performance management, corrective actions and workplace adjustments.
- Significant theoretical and practical knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and the Human Tissue Act (HTA), with the ability to interpret complex technical, laboratory and regulatory documentation to support clinical research delivery.
- Advanced skills in managing and controlling large budgets, resources and diverse funding sources.
- Experience of building and developing a team and aligning the day‑to‑day work and goals of the team within a strategic vision.
- Experience of the commercialisation journey, ideally both within healthcare and novel research environments.
Essential / Desirable
Essential criteria are required. Desirable attributes are appreciated.
Working Conditions
- Grade: 8.2
- Salary: £48 822
- Work arrangement: Part‑time
- Duration: 15 June 2026 – 20 January 2027 (fixed‑term)
- Line manager: Principal Investigator
Disability Confident Employer
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Benefits
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development, access to learning and mentoring schemes such as the Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
- A range of generous family‑friendly policies:
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- support for those going through the menopause
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
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