Description MRC Programme Manager: Our Future Health The Medical Research Council (MRC) Salary: £45,272 per annum Band: UKRI E Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 30 hours per week) Contract Type: 12 months Fixed Term (potential to extend to 2030 subject to business case approval) Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available Closing Date: Sunday 28th September 2025 Role purpose: We are looking for an experienced Programme Manager to support the delivery of the next phase of Our Future Health and other strategic projects within the MRC Major Investments Team. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to support the development and implementation of a high-profile programme that will deliver real-world, potentially transformational impact in improving future health and contribute to the development of other projects that will make major contributions to delivering MRC strategic priorities. About the role The MRC Major Investments Team leads the development and the delivery of a number of programmes including Centres of Research Excellence (CoRES) engaging with colleagues across MRC, the research community and other funders to establish a portfolio of new challenge-led investments. MRC has taken on the role of Delivery Partner for the DSIT Programme Our Future Health (OFH), the UK’s largest ever health research programme. OFH It is an ambitious collaboration between the public, charity and private sectors bringing people together to develop new ways to prevent, detect and treat disease. Its aim is to recruit up to 5 million adult participants from diverse backgrounds and improve health outcomes for its participants and the wider UK population by providing feedback directly to participants, linked to evaluation of suitable health interventions, and enabling large-scale health data analysis. The Programme Manager will play a key role in supporting the delivery of the next phase of Our Future Health working with MRC and UKRI colleagues and with DSIT, OLS, Our Future Health and the external research and innovation community to help ensure the realisation of the expected benefits. In addition, they will contribute to developing and delivering the wider portfolio of MRC major investments, promoting creative approaches and supporting wider organizational learning. The Programme Manager will: Act as the day-to -day point of contact for OFH within MRC to support delivery in line with the requirements of the Business Case and timely monitoring and reporting Support budget management and forecasting Work within the agreed Governance structure to identify and mitigate risks to the Programme Assimilate intelligence or feedback and working with stakeholders to resolve or prioritise competing issues pertinent to programme delivery. Develop an excellent understanding of OFH and act as a subject matter expert within MRC and UKRI Work with other MRC and UKRI programme managers to share good practice and build organizational knowledge of complex project management Provide input to briefing for the MRC Executive Chair, MRC Senior Executive Team, UKRI, DSIT, and DHSC Contribute to the development and delivery of other MRC Major Investments and associated activities as required. Person Specification The below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I) Essential: A degree in an area of science relevant to the MRC (S) Significant research (in academia, industry or NHS) or research-related experience (e.g. research funding/strategy management or publishing), demonstrating strong understanding of the biomedical/health research landscape and a broad understanding of scientific issues (S) Experience of planning, managing, and delivering projects or programmes in a multi-stakeholder environment (S/I) Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to independently plan, prioritise and progress multiple workstreams (S/I) Ability to handle, analyse and present complex information (scientific, financial, policy, ethical). (S/I) Excellent written communication skills, able to tailor style to a range of scientific and executive, and non-technical audiences. (S/I) Excellent numeracy skills, with experience of handling budgets. (S/I) Effective collaborator and team member (S/I) Desirable: Experience of working in the research and innovation sector, or demonstrable understanding of the sector (S) Project management qualification (S) PhD in an area relevant to MRC(S) Working relationships: Reports to: Associate Director Major Investments The role involves developing and maintaining a broad range of working relationships within MRC and UKRI and externally: DSIT and OLS Our Future Health Other directorates/teams within MRC Head Office Other Research Councils across UKRI Members of the scientific community Members of MRC Science Strategy Board and Council and other advisory and governance groups Research charities, NIHR and other public funding bodies Commercial organisations with a biomedical R&D interest. Other key information The post holder will be based in the Swindon Office but will be required to travel to London on occasion and to attend meetings/workshops in other UK and/or overseas locations. The MRC operates flexible working between office locations and home, in line with business needs and maintaining a strong office presence. UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer. Benefits We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below: An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent) Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice Flexible working options Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance! For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org