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

Location: 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 of Psychiatry 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 National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and provides highly rated medical training in psychiatry.  The Head of Department is Professor Belinda Lennox.

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.

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 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.

About You

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.

Diversity

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. 

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. Please see the University pages on the application process at https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/application-process

The closing date for applications is 12.00 midday on 26 January 2026.

Interviews will take place during week commencing 9/16 February 2026 and will be in person.

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