Head of Delivery

Company description:

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Job description:

Thank you for your interest in this opportunity to join the NIHR Innovation Observatory as Head of Delivery.

Alongside this position, we are also recruiting a Commercial Strategy & Business Development Lead.

The Innovation Observatory (IO) supports decision-making across the UK health and care system through the provision of timely insights and early evidence on emerging technologies and innovations. Our work enables more effective and efficient decisions across policy, commissioning and system preparedness, and requires a careful balance between analytical rigour and public accountability.

Our focus is on sustaining and developing this capability so we can continue to deliver credible, high-quality insight at scale. Central to this is ensuring that organisational delivery is aligned with priorities, capacity and governance, providing the structure and assurance needed to operate effectively as a nationally commissioned function. This includes establishing and maintaining robust operational systems, clear governance and prioritisation processes, and effective oversight of performance, finance, risk and resources.

The role provides the coordination and control necessary to ensure that delivery remains credible, proportionate and sustainable, and that external activity, partnerships and new opportunities are aligned with organisational capacity and contractual commitments. Working closely with the Director and Senior Leadership Team, the role ensures that ambition across the organisation is matched by deliverable plans and operational clarity.

This is a role for someone able to operate credibly in a highly accountable environment, bringing structure and clarity to complex organisational demands and enabling sustained, high-quality delivery at a national level.

To apply for this position, please submit a CV and cover letter outlining how you meet the essential qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience for this position.

Please click here to view the candidate pack for this position, which includes the full job description in the role and person sections.  

We hope this pack provides sufficient detail to help you assess whether your experience aligns with the demands of the role and the organisational context in which it operates.

For an informal conversation please contact Professor Dawn Craig, Director of NIHR Innovation Observatory, dawn.craig@newcastle.ac.uk

This is a full time, fixed term position available until 31 March 2031.

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