Job summary
The Research, Engagement and Inclusion Senior Manager is responsible for leading, developing and coordinating Research Inclusion, public-focused stakeholder engagement, and public engagement programmes across the NIHR Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) region. This includes active contribution to national strategy development, data collection, assessment and reporting of under-served communities projects and financial reporting as required. This role is responsible for building trust with community based and public-led organisations, championing of the public voice and embedding research participation and inclusion initiatives across RRDN services.
This role will have responsibility for coordinating and delivering regional responses to key NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) strategies, ensuring regional engagement and inclusion opportunities are considered synergistically and optimised for delivery in collaboration with key stakeholders. This role will be pivotal in leading a consistent approach to the engagement of research participants and wider communities in line with the vision of the RDN and will provide intelligence to support the strategic development and continuous improvement of RDN services. This role will have the opportunity to support work at national and superregional level to ensure the function of a single RDN organisation.
Main duties of the job
This role will provide operational management of the Research Engagement & Inclusion function within the RRDN (i.e. stakeholder engagement, public engagement, digital engagement, and RI), which will work alongside the Public Engagement and the People and Inclusion functions within the RDN Coordinating Centre (RDNCC). This joint function will support the NIHR wide RI strategy at a national and regional level to make equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) central to the RDN and its entire people framework through an approach of active listening and learning from the communities served. This role will also have key relationships with the Strategic Development, Workforce and People, and Communications functions within the RRDN.
We are seeing a highly motivated and enthusiastic Senior Manager to lead the new RRDN regional participation and inclusion work-stream.The role is an exciting opportunity to lead at regional and national levels and to use your skills to lead on public engagement and research inclusion.You will be engaging, developing and maintaining productive, high-quality relationships with a number of stakeholders across the region to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is embedded as part of overall regional and national delivery.The role requires someone who has excellent communication, facilitation and engagement skills and has experience of working in community engagement and with underserved groups.
About us
Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.
We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.
Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.
Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo
Job description / responsibilities
The role is within the South East RRDN hosted by the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and will require regional travel from an agreed base and some national travel. The contractual base can be either Guildford, Brighton or Canterbury.
Note : HCAS High Cost Area Supplement is applied to Guildford only, excludes Canterbury & Brighton.
Work with all relevant stakeholders to drive integration of public engagement and Research Inclusion initiatives across the region leading to an increase in involvement and participation in research amongst patients and the public across all settings and services.
Work collaboratively within NIHR organisations and wider partner organisations across regions and nationally to deliver strategic aims related to public engagement and involvement.
Act as a strategic lead for engagement and inclusion in the region, actively promoting an inclusive research culture and advocating for Research Inclusion and public engagement to be embedded across the RDN and its services.
Support the development of the 3 year strategic plan for Research Inclusion and the 5-year Patient and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Strategy for the RDN to inform the development and delivery of regional RDN strategic activities, aligned to national NIHR strategies.
Support regional delivery of RDN and NIHR strategies for communication and reputation management.
Provide strategic advice and leadership to RRDN level community engagement initiatives aimed at increasing participation in health and care research for under‑served groups and lead regional strategies to support delivery across the RRDN region.
Champion and support research teams to deliver the Participant in Research Experience Survey (PRES).
Work with the RDNCC and local business intelligence leads to populate the national PRES dashboard and report data to optimise improvements in research delivery and participation at both a national and local level.
If you are passionate and want to make a difference to address inequalities and have the skills to deliver this within a research delivery context then please get in touch.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
* Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
* Management qualification
* Project management qualification or equivalent experience
Knowledge and Experience Essential
* Extensive / advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of specialist areas identified in the Job Description, acquired through experience or training
* Experience in objective setting; performance management and staff development at a regional and national level
* Experience of line managing staff, identifying and addressing development needs, and managing performance in line with direct line management.
* Experience of co‑creating and implementing strategies across an array of priorities, connecting agendas, and influencing culture, system, and behaviour change.
* Knowledge, skills and experience around health and care research, delivery of research across various settings and the need for under‑served communities in healthcare and research.
* Understanding of the Equality Act 2010, UK Standards for Public Involvement and key equality, diversity and inclusion policies and their implementation requirements across the health and social care research landscape.
* Excellent project management skills, expertise in using a wide range of consultation and facilitation methods, knowledge of public engagement methodology, inclusive management of members of the public and communities, including those classed as under‑served by health and care research.
* System‑wide expertise and leadership for engagement and inclusion with demonstrable experience of leading projects requiring specialist advice, support, and guidance on a range of highly complex and sensitive issues.
Desirable
* Knowledge of regional health and care systems and processes, including the voluntary and charity sector, local government and Integrated Care Boards/Services
* Experience of leading programmes aimed at reducing health inequalities at the system and regional level, ideally in health and care research
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
The Royal Surrey Hospital
Egerton Road
Guildford
GU2 7XX
Employer's website: https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/
Job details
Posted: 12 January 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,888 to £64,880 a year per annum including HCAS High Cost Area Supplement
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 384‑AR‑EMF19693
Job locations: The Royal Surrey Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford, GU2 7XX
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