Job Summary
Join Us
Do you work in research planning, approvals, set‑up, or management and believe digital services can make these processes simpler, faster, and more connected? Are you excited by the idea of shaping tools that help researchers collaborate and deliver studies people can trust? If so, we want to hear from you.
About The Role
As a Product Owner, you’ll lead agile teams to design and build digital products that support research regulation and approval systems across the UK. This role sits within our Research System Programme – a fast‑paced, iterative digital transformation programme developing services that will replace legacy systems.
The Programme Aims To
* Connect processes for health and social care research in the UK
* Make the UK a great place to do research that people can trust
* Enable collaboration to plan, approve, set up, manage, and complete research
Main duties of the job
You’ll Be Responsible For
* Leading agile delivery teams.
* Translating user needs and business goals into deliverable outcomes.
* Driving continuous improvement and innovation across products.
* Building strong relationships with stakeholders across the research ecosystem.
Interviews expected to be held during week commencing 15 December 2025.
What You’ll Bring
* Extensive knowledge of UK research regulation and health/social care research systems.
* Strong analytical, strategic planning, and communication skills.
* A collaborative mindset and ability to lead and coach others.
* Resilience and adaptability in a fast‑paced agile environment.
* A commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and continuous learning.
* Experience in agile product development (advantage, but onboarding and training will be provided).
Why Join Us?
Be part of a transformative programme shaping the future of UK health and social care research.
Work in a supportive, collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth.
About Us
Working at the HRA, we are reminded daily of how important life is. As a flexible‑working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.
When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement – if it works for us, we will do our best to make it work for you.
For Manchester, Nottingham or Bristol locations, the role is available only as home‑based.
Details
* Date posted: 18 November 2025
* Pay scheme: Agenda for change
* Band: Band 8a
* Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 a year
* Contract: Fixed term (19 months)
* Working pattern: Full‑time, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours
* Reference number: 980-HRA7560276-C
* Job locations:
o 3 Piccadilly Place, London Road, Manchester, M1 3BN
o Manchester
o London
o United Kingdom
Approvals Directorate – Role Summary
* Delivering HRA Approval
* Supporting the Confidentiality Advisory Group and advising on the use of confidential patient information without consent
* Working to refine the systems and processes researchers need to follow to ensure a swift, robust and simple experience
* Providing guidance to applicants
* Providing training
* Working collaboratively with external partners to improve the research environment
Person Specification
Essential
* Appropriate recognised management qualification equivalent to a degree or significant relevant equivalent experience.
Evidence of agile and/or product management training or certification.
* Extensive specialist knowledge of research regulation and approval systems in the UK, including key legislation.
* Current, expert knowledge of UK ecosystem for health and social care research (NHS R&D, NIHR structures and delivery processes).
* Knowledge of product lifecycle and how products in different stages benefit from different design and development approaches.
* Professional standards and practices relevant to digital public health services (e.g. NHS Service Manual, Government Service Standard & Manual, Technology Code of Practice).
* Significant demonstrable experience and understanding of user‑centred design, technology and data perspectives.
* Significant experience working within digital products and projects, and experience of developing and maintaining a product roadmap that is fit‑for‑purpose and meets organisational requirements.
* High‑level ability to understand and identify problems, analyse and help identify the appropriate solution, classify and prioritise problems, document their causes and implement remedies.
Desirable
* Evidence of continuous professional development / postgraduate qualification in relevant discipline.
* Product Owner Certification from a recognised provider / CDDO service assessor training / Agile Certification / Professional/Accredited qualification in Change Management Certification.
* Leading and coaching staff in ways of working, professional development and standards, including common technology standards (software, security, privacy and accessibility). Contemporary organisational management practices.
* The wider private/public/third sector digital landscape – including public sector procurement and contracting frameworks or supplier management.
* User‑centred service design practices and methodologies for public‑facing, business‑facing or internal services and applications.
* Ability to identify areas for improvement in ways of working and product management practices across service areas and suggest and implement appropriate solutions.
Employer Details
Health Research Authority
3 Piccadilly Place, London Road, Manchester, M1 3BN
Website: https://www.hra.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
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