Strategic Research & Development Lead

Job reference: BMH-031497
Salary: £47,389 - £58,225 per annum depending on experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Biology, Medicine Health
Location: Oglesby Cancer Research Building, 555 Wilmslow Road, M20 4GJ
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Manchester Cancer Research Centre
Hours Per Week: Full Time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 14/06/2026
Contract Duration: Fixed term for 18 Months
School/Directorate: Manchester Cancer Research Centre

Job Advert

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a Strategic Research and Development Lead (Secondment Cover). This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development and delivery of major cancer research initiatives across the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) and its partners. You will play a key role in shaping strategy, supporting funding success, and driving impactful collaborations within a dynamic and inclusive environment.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the development and delivery of strategic research initiatives across the MCRC and partner organisations
• Supporting and coordinating major funding applications and developing a diversified funding portfolio
• Building and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders across academia, the NHS and international partners
• Providing oversight of governance, budgets, reporting and project management for strategic programmes
• Leading and developing a high-performing team, including line management responsibilities
• We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

• Significant experience managing complex multi-partner projects within academic, clinical or research environments
• Proven experience supporting or leading research grant applications and funding activity
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage teams effectively, including setting and achieving objectives
• Strong communication, influencing and relationship-building skills across organisational boundaries
• Strategic thinking ability with experience delivering large-scale initiatives and managing budgets

Desirable Criteria:

• Postgraduate research qualification or equivalent experience
• Experience working within NHS or clinical research environments
• Knowledge of national and international research funding landscapes
• Experience supporting early-career researchers or academic programme development
• Awareness of current challenges facing higher education and health research sectors
• We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our Benefits
Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see:
https://www.manchester.ac.uk/connect/jobs/benefits-working-here/

Flexible and hybrid working:
https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/people/current-staff/flexible-and-hybrid-working/

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where ideas can be explored and shared.

Find out more:
https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news/display/?id=32905

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews
Name: Bruce Daniels
Email: bruce.daniels@manchester.ac.uk

Interviews will take place week commencing 22nd June

General enquiries and administrative support
recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

Advert information