Overview
Data Connect, a Centre of Excellence within The University of Sheffield, is seeking a talented Senior Research Project Manager to lead the creation and delivery of complex, impactful data products. We facilitate researcher access to vital health and social care data, directly contributing to research that enhances and saves lives across our region.
This pivotal role ensures the delivery of data products and research across the Yorkshire and Humber Secure Data Environment (YHSDE) programme, specifically supporting the South Yorkshire Delivery Team. You will be the key liaison, working across organisational boundaries to simplify complex data access and delivery processes for researchers.
You will oversee and coordinate every aspect of the data product pipeline, ensuring that both technical engineering and information governance requirements are clearly defined and broken down into actionable tasks. Working within a team that utilises Agile project methodologies, you will collaborate closely with the Data Connect Service Lead and Senior Research Project Manager. You will act as the primary "enabler" for the team, translating researcher needs into actionable development plans and high‑quality data products.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
* Project Scoping & Stakeholder Alignment: Collaborate with researchers and regional stakeholders to define precise project workflows, technical scopes, and delivery timelines for bespoke data products, maintaining consistent alignment with institutional and regional strategic objectives.
* Technical & Governance Coordination: Translate complex Information Governance (IG) frameworks and technical infrastructure requirements into actionable development tasks.
* Technical Translation: Act as the primary interface between academic researchers and the data science team. You will ensure that research objectives are clearly understood and translated into technical requirements, while effectively communicating technical or governance constraints back to stakeholders to manage expectations.
* Pipeline Management: Oversee the end‑to‑end data product lifecycle. You will proactively identify project risks and resolve bottlenecks by convening technical, clinical, and governance experts at critical intervention points.
* Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Lead the design and implementation of SOPs to standardise the data request process, creating a scalable and repeatable framework for researcher access across the region ensuring alignment with central SDE team.
* Agile Implementation: Embed agile practices within the team to coordinate complex research tasks effectively. Through regular sprint planning and retrospectives, you will refine internal processes to optimise output and ensure the South Yorkshire team meets its delivery milestones.
* Task & Workflow Management: Breaking down defined research requirements into manageable tasks and maintaining/optimising JIRA board workflows to ensure efficient and transparent project tracking.
* Regional Integration: Serve as the primary liaison for the Yorkshire & Humber Secure Data Environment (YHSDE) programme, ensuring the South Yorkshire delivery team is fully integrated with central regional functions through regular in‑person engagement in Leeds and York.
* Resource Management: Working closely with the other Project Managers in data Connect to manage team capacity and resource allocation across all active data products.
* Service Design & Strategic Improvement: Contribute to the long‑term evolution of Data Connect by providing data‑driven insights on user experience and operational efficiency. You will champion the sharing of best practice across the Faculty of Health, identifying opportunities to refine our service model and align our delivery with the University’s wider strategic goals.
* Communication & Documentation: Facilitating clear and consistent information flow among team members and creating comprehensive project documentation, including project plans, reports, and meeting minutes.
* Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
The role will also require engagement with activities within the faculty of Health to share skills, knowledge and experience more widely to improve how we work together to meet the strategic objective of the University as a whole.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Demonstrable expertise in leading a diverse portfolio of complex data products and research projects. This includes work scheduling, resource planning, and the ability to align delivery with high‑level strategic goals (Stage(s) assessed at: Application/interview/Task).
Practical experience of applying agile methodologies (SCRUM/Kanban) to product delivery. Proficiency in architecting collaborative workflows using tools such as Jira and GitHub (Application/Interview).
Ability to identify, track, and mitigate complex project risks. Experience in navigating the intersection of technical delivery and information governance to ensure product compliance (Application/Interview).
Proven ability to communicate with clarity and influence when engaging with senior researchers, clinical leads, and data providers (NHS and beyond), translating complex technical needs into actionable project scopes (Application/Interview).
Demonstrable capability to manage competing requests for team capacity against challenging deadlines, creating coherent delivery schedules that balance researcher needs with team availability (Application/Interview).
An enabling, supportive, and collaborative leadership style, with a proven track record of removing blockers and fostering a high‑performing team culture (Application/Interview).
Ability to develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and streamlined workflows to improve service efficiency and user experience (Application/Interview).
Experience of managing multidisciplinary technical teams (e.g., data engineers, developers) and a proven ability to continuously improve their working processes and output quality (Application/Interview).
Sensitive Data Expertise and experience of working within Trusted Research Environments (TREs) or Secure Data Environments (SDEs), with a strong grasp of UK health data standards and NHS data governance frameworks (Application/Interview).
Further Information
Grade 8
£48,822 - £58,225 per annum pro rata with the potential to progress to £65,509 through sustained exceptional contribution.
Work arrangement Full‑time
Duration 12 months – anticipated start June 2026
Line manager Data Connect Operational Lead
Direct reports Data Scientist, Junior Data Scientist, Information Governance Manager, Data Manager
Criminal record
A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).
Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).
Disability statement
We are a Disability Confident Leader. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
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