Health and Clinical Research Policy Manager
We're the UK's specialist blood cancer charity and our vision is clear: we’re here to beat blood cancer. We fund world-class research; provide information and support to patients and their loved ones; and raise awareness of blood cancer. Blood Cancer UK is seeking a Health and Clinical Research Policy Manager to provide expert analysis of blood cancer treatment development in the UK. You will shape policy positions, influence the health and life sciences system, and ensure patients benefit from faster, fairer access to treatments. The role involves horizon scanning new treatments, influencing policy and regulatory decisions, and building strong relationships with parliamentarians, healthcare professionals, researchers, industry, and people affected by blood cancer. You will contribute to internal and external policy strategy, sit on relevant coalitions and working groups, and support adoption of new treatments within the NHS. The ideal candidate will have a scientific background, expert knowledge of the UK clinical research environment, strong analytical skills, and experience developing policy positions and influencing high-profile stakeholders. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of people affected by blood cancer. Expected travel for this role is to attend the office 2-4 days per month, there may also be additional need to attend in-person events i.e. conferences or coalition events. Our culture and benefits package are award winning, and our staff survey tells us that we’re a great place to work. We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. In line with our strategy we welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minority communities, and applicants with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives. Application Deadline January 06, 2026 Department Research, Policy & Services Employment Type Full Time Location London/Hybrid Workplace type Hybrid Compensation £42,000 - £47,000 / year
Key Responsibilities
1. Provide expert scientific and policy analysis on developments across the UK health and life sciences environment so that Blood Cancer UK can shape policy.
2. Develop policy positions and propose solutions on regulatory, research and access challenges so that decision-makers can take clear action to improve outcomes for people with blood cancer.
3. Horizon scan the pipeline of new and emerging blood cancer treatments entering late-stage trials or regulatory review so that the organisation can prioritise timely and effective influencing activity.
4. Analyse barriers in the UK clinical research system by working with clinicians and researchers so that Blood Cancer UK can advocate for improvements to trial set-up, delivery and workforce capacity.
5. Build and maintain relationships with regulators and government bodies including MHRA, NICE, NHS England, OLS and academic research infrastructure so that Blood Cancer UK can influence policy and regulatory reform.
6. Provide scientific contribution to Health Technology Assessments and other regulatory processes so that submissions are robust, evidence-led and reflective of patient need.
7. Assess barriers and opportunities within NHS and life sciences approval pathways so that the organisation can propose changes that accelerate uptake of new blood cancer medicines.
8. Build and maintain a network of relationships across the health and life sciences sector so that Blood Cancer UK can strengthen influence, gather insights and represent the blood cancer community effectively.
9. Represent the charity in relevant coalitions and working groups including the AMRC Clinical Research Advisory Group
10. Organise and deliver events, meetings and briefings for parliamentarians, officials and stakeholders so that key messages are communicated clearly and opportunities for influence are created.
11. Update and support internal teams and supporters by sharing insights and responding rapidly to external developments so that colleagues and volunteers can contribute effectively to influencing activity.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Knowledge
12. A scientific degree or relevant equivalent experience
13. Expert knowledge of the UK health and life sciences landscape, particularly including the clinical research environment and adoption and spread of new innovations
14. Knowledge and experience of working with researchers, clinicians and scientific stakeholders.
15. Knowledge of working with researchers, clinicians and scientific stakeholders.
Skills and abilities
16. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret scientific regulatory and system data
17. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to convey complex issues clearly.
18. Ability to rapidly understand and explain high-level scientific and systems concepts
19. Excellent problem-solving skills, with logical, evidence based reasoning
20. Fluent in digital collaboration tools to meet, share and work effectively with colleagues.
21. Commitment to understanding user needs and behaviours and applying these insights to shape policy, services and communications.
22. Ability to stay continually informed about external changes in the health and life sciences environment that affect the treatment development pathway in the UK.
23. Ability to build and sustain relationships with senior stakeholders across government, NHS, research and industry.
Experience
24. Developing background papers and policy positions for non-technical audiences
25. Achieving policy change and influencing high-profile individuals
26. Producing clear, persuasive written materials for policy makers and staff to tight deadlines.
27. Working in a policy or research role for a charity, government body or relevant industry setting.
About Blood Cancer UK
FLEXIBLE WORKING & OUR BENEFITS
We welcome conversations about part time working, job shares, and all forms of flexible working right from application stage. You can get in touch with us at if you want to ask us anything about flexible working.
Benefits: We think our benefits are brilliant, and the majority start from day 1. These are just a few of them:
28. 30 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays
29. Generous pension scheme and Life Assurance
30. Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, as well as study leave and a day off to move house
31. Wellbeing is a priority for us, we offer a wide range of individual and team support in our Wellbeing Hub
32. Our Academy is our in-house Continued Professional Development (CPD) learning and development programme, including an internal mentoring scheme. We have organisation-wide focus days, which are days set aside for you to focus on your own development, without being interrupted by emails and meetings.
33. Cycle to work and season ticket loans
34. Opportunity to take sabbaticals
You can find full details about our on our .
Location: Working agile means we changed from having a culture where people are expected to be in the office from 9am to 5pm to one where we’re much more focused on what they deliver. We've built a positive culture where autonomy, trust, wellbeing and flexibility allow us to recruit and retain the very best people. We recognise that teams still need to come together regularly to develop relationships and strengthen collaborative working. Therefore, for the majority of roles, your contractual place of work will be one of our offices. The expectation for how often you will be required to attend the office is outlined in the job profile and will be discussed with you. Details about our hybrid and (including how travel expenses work) can be found on our .
HOW TO APPLY
We ask you to send us a CV and cover letter. In your cover letter, we'd like to know why you're interested in working with us at Blood Cancer UK. It's also helpful if you tell us why you think you are a great candidate for this role based on the skills, knowledge and expertise section above. Your cover letter doesn't have to be too long, 1-2 pages is ideal. Please don't add photos or graphics to your CV, as we use blind shortlisting at this stage of the process.
Full details about our recruitment, including how we use blind shortlisting and what to expect at each stage of the process can be found on our. Sometimes we close our vacancies early, usually because we have had a lot of great applicants, so we’d always encourage you to apply early rather than wait until the deadline.
WHY WORK AT BLOOD CANCER UK?
We're the 9th best charity in the UK to work for according to Best Companies 2021!
We started because of Susan, we’ll get there because of you.
Blood Cancer UK was started by one family who lost their daughter, Susan, to blood cancer, and that history and sense of family continues to shape who we are today. When you join Blood Cancer UK, you don’t just become an organisational employee – you become part of a collaborative community dedicated to funding research into beating blood cancer that includes some of the most inspiring people you’ll ever meet.
And we’re not that far away from beating blood cancer. We’re confident we can do it within the next generation, and this makes us hugely ambitious and gives us a sense of real urgency. It also means we’re changing quickly as an organisation as we constantly challenge ourselves and strive to become more and more effective. This pace of change means working here isn’t for everyone. But if you’re excited by the chance to work in a fast-paced, agile and supportive environment with the focus and ambition to beat blood cancer this could be the place for you! We focus on results rather than time spent at a desk, so we deliver more for people affected by blood cancer.
Blood Cancer UK offers the chance to work for and with people affected by blood cancer, and the opportunity to advance your career and develop your skillset whilst taking on exciting new challenges and making your mark.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. Read our which reflects our strong drive to change in this area.To this end we would welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minoritised communities, and applicants with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives.
You can read some examples of how we can support you through the application and interview process
Our Hiring Process
Don't worry if you don't see any roles you want to apply for now. Register your interest to allow us to contact you when a suitable role meeting your criteria comes along. Please note that at the present time, Blood Cancer UK is unable to offer work experience placements or internships.