Senior Programme Manager – Clinical Trials and Novel Therapies
Please email CV and Cover Letter directly to Dr Nicky Huskens (nicky.huskens@tessajowellbcm.org) and Ms Camille Goetz (camille.goetz@tessajowellbcm.org).
Application deadline: We will interview strong candidates on a rolling basis.
Salary: £50-£55k based on experience for 37.5 hours/week
Contract type: Full-time
Location: Office is based in Highbury, North London – hybrid working offered
Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Applicants must therefore have the existing right to work in the UK at the time of application.
Are you passionate about accelerating novel brain tumour treatments? Do you want to support clinicians to open more clinical trials? Are you skilled at managing a community to work together on topics of national importance?
Summary of the role and required skills
Join a fast-growing health organisation delivering national and international programmes backed by the UK government, NHS, and major cancer charities. We seek a highly motivated, professional, and organised Senior Programme Manager to lead the development of a UK-wide Clinical Trials Support Hub, a new initiative within the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM)’s expanding research portfolio. The role sits within our wider mission to accelerate research opportunities for patients with brain tumours. You will contribute directly to a high-impact, national effort to increase clinical trial activity, strengthen trial infrastructure, and ensure more equitable access to novel treatments across the UK.
You will closely collaborate with the Mission’s senior leadership team and lead on both the Clinical Trials Support Hub and the Brain Tumour Research Novel Therapeutics Accelerator (BTR-NTA): an international programme that provides independent guidance to academic and industry researchers to advance novel therapies towards clinical trials. This role offers broad exposure to the UK and international therapeutic development and clinical trials landscape and is suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, looking to make a measurable impact.
Further information about the programmes
The Clinical Trials Support Hub is a newly established initiative designed to increase the volume of clinical trials, strengthen trial delivery infrastructure, and improve patient access and participation in brain tumour research across the UK. It represents a critical step toward building an end-to-end innovation ecosystem for brain cancer, spanning the full translational research pipeline. The Hub aims to serve as a central supporter and enabler of clinical trial success. The Hub will be closely integrated with the Brain Tumour Research Novel Therapeutics Accelerator (BTR-NTA) and aligned with broader strategic partnerships such as the upcoming NIHR Brain Tumour Consortium, enabling a seamless pathway from scientific discovery to approved therapies for patients with brain tumours.
The BTR-NTA is a well-established international accelerator programme that provides independent, expert guidance to academic and industry researchers developing novel therapies for brain tumours. Through up to 240 hours of tailored support, the programme helps de-risk therapeutic development, offering multidisciplinary feedback on preclinical and translational projects, advice on clinical trial readiness, and strategic recommendations for funding, partnerships, and next steps. The successful candidate will join at a pivotal time, leading the establishment and early implementation of the Clinical Trials Support Hub while also managing the ongoing delivery of the BTR-NTA.
About us
TJBCM is a national organisation delivering programmes to improve brain tumour research, treatment and care in the UK. We run eight programmes that: accelerate research, build clinical trial infrastructure, improve care, and connect and train NHS staff. Our work is funded by NIHR/DHSC and 11 cancer charities. Over 100 NHS doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and scientists work with the Mission to design and deliver programmes with partner organisations. We are a small but growing team (nine employees plus research assistants). You will join a fast-paced, data-driven organisation with a clear purpose: improving treatment outcomes nationally and internationally.
Job description
The Role
You will own the development, leadership and delivery of TJBCM’s clinical trials and novel therapies programmes. You will design, implement and oversee multiple complex projects for high impact. The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on programme management, including collaboration with senior external stakeholders and multi-partner collaborations. You will manage and mentor a Senior Analyst, work closely with peers across the organisation, and travel to two international BTR-NTA meetings annually as well as relevant conferences.
Key Responsibilities
Programme Leadership & Delivery
* Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of two major programmes: BTR-NTA (established programme) and the Clinical Trials Support Hub (new, in development)
* Own workplans, budgets, timelines, risk management, and financial oversight.
* Provide strategic input into programme design, adapting external landscape and stakeholder feedback.
* Ensure robust governance, reporting, and compliance with ethical, legal, and contractual standards.
* Develop SOPs, project plans, and process tools.
* Scope and develop new activities to strengthen or expand impact together with senior leadership.
Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination
* Represent TJBCM with NHS organisations, academia, industry, regulators, funders, and patient groups.
* Lead meetings, workshops, and advisory committees to align objectives.
* Act as a trusted point of contact for funders and collaborators, providing regular updates and reports.
* Manage relationshipswith the NIHR-funded Brain Tumour Consortium and other aligned initiatives.
Team Leadership & Development
* Line manage a Senior Analyst and other staff: delegate effectively and assure quality.
* Foster a high-performance culture with mentoring, feedback, and wellbeing support.
* Coordinate programme tasks across the wider TJBCM team.
Communications, Marketing & Impact
* Oversee preparaiton of briefings, reports, and presentations for funders, boards, and external partners.
* Lead programme marketing and outreach, including conference attendance.
* Disseminate programme outputs through conferences, publications, and stakeholder networks.
* Monitor and evaluate programme impact.
Data Analysis & Dissemination
* Support the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data related to UK trial activity.
* Share insights and findings with key stakeholders to inform national strategy and infrastructure improvements.
Programme Coordination & Administration
* Clinical Trials Support Hub, support ongoing development, documentation, and tracking of progress.
* BTR-NTA, manage documentation, logistics, and review meetings.
* Maintain and update programme websites and materials.
* Organise logistics for in-person meetings and events
* Manage legal documentation, including confidentiality and conflict of interest agreements.
Financial Oversight
* Track and manage programme reimbursements, expenses, and overall budget.
* Prepare financial reports and funding updates.
Strategic Development
* Contribute to grant applications, fundraising, and business development activities.
* Provide thought leadership on national strategy to improve trial infrastructure and novel therapy access.
* Support broader strategic development of TJBCM’s research portfolio and provide ad hoc support to the wider team.
Person Specification
* 4+ years in programme/project management in health, research, or life sciences.
* Knowledge of clinical trials, translational research, and health systems (cancer or rare diseases).
* Experience with the NHS, healthcare or research organisations and charities.
* Success leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes.
* Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and ability to manage competing deadlines.
* Demonstrated leadership with experience managing junior colleagues.
* Excellent stakeholder management, communication and negotiation skills.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills; accuracy and consistent attention to detail is key.
* Strategic thinker able to plan, prioritise and deliver in a fast-moving environment.
* Strong financial and operational management skills, including budget oversight and contract review.
* Experience of grant writing or managing funding relationships.
* BSc in biological or medical sciences and postgraduate qualification (e.g. MSc, PhD, MPH or equivalent experience).
* Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint and Word); familiarity with data visualisation.
We welcome applications from people who do not meet every criterion but bring relevant experience.
What we offer:
* Office closure over Christmas and New Year
* Flexible hours and hybrid working (minimum 3 days a week in office)
* Health and well-being cash plan
* Excellent networking opportunities: with leaders of cancer charities, senior clinicians/scientists, NHS officials and DHSC.
* On-the-job training and regular feedback.
* Opportunities for groth in an ambitious, expanding organisation.
Equal Opportunity and Diversity Statement:
TJBCM is committed to equality of opportunity and freedom from unlawful discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, pregnancy and maternity, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, disability, religion or beliefs, age or sexual orientation. We work to remove unfair practices and encourage full contribution from our diverse community and actively oppose all forms of discrimination. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
How to apply:
Please send an up-to-date CV (2 pages max) along with a cover letter (1.5 pages max), addressing the following:
* Evidence of relevant experience and skills for the job
* Why you are interested in this position
* What you will bring to the role