Head of strategic research development
Location: Peterborough office with hybrid flexibility.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week.
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 depending on experience.
Benefits:
* Flexible working
* Generous annual leave
* Private Medical Insurance (including dental and optical)
* Pension Scheme
* Sick Pay
* Death in Service
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Bike Loan Scheme
* Cycle2Work Scheme
* Eyecare
* Discount Portal
Closing date: Wednesday 3 December 2025.
Telephone interviews will be held week commencing 8 December 2025.
Interviews will be held week commencing 15 December 2025.
Be a part of an energetic and vibrant team driven to improve the lives of people living with kidney disease. Our vision is that everyone lives free from kidney disease.
Reporting into the Director of Research Development and Partnerships, the Head of Strategic Research Development leads the development and delivery of Kidney Research UK’s research strategy in our priority and emerging research areas, working closely with research and health‑system facing teams.
The role is responsible for horizon scanning and translating strategic priorities into deliverable research funding initiatives, mobilising multi‑partner collaborations that accelerate progress from concept to delivery.
The post‑holder will provide line management for the research programme managers, offering direction, guidance and professional development to ensure coherent delivery across research themes and initiatives.
As a senior member of the team, the post‑holder will deputise for the Director of Research Development and Partnerships as required, representing the charity with senior stakeholders, making timely decisions and ensuring strategic continuity across portfolios.
Qualifications and experience
* Experience in research strategy, development, funding or portfolio management within the health, biomedical or life sciences sector.
* Strategic insight into how research is funded and evaluated, with the ability to lead and inspire others.
* Strong communication skills (written, verbal and interpersonal) to work well across teams and influence external stakeholders.
* First‑class organisational and delegation skills, able to keep processes moving at pace.
* Line management experience and a commitment to fostering professional growth and wellbeing.
Desired skills
* Strategic Research Development
* Research Strategy Lead
* Health Research Leadership
* Biomedical Research
* Life Sciences Research
* Research Portfolio Management
* Multi‑partner Collaboration
* Stakeholder Engagement
* Decision‑making & Strategic Planning
* Funding Evaluation
* Policy & Research Translation
* Line Management
* Team Leadership
* Senior Stakeholder Liaison
To apply, please complete the online application form and submit together with your CV.
We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone and encourage applications from all sections of the community.
About Kidney Research UK: Kidney Research UK is the leading charity in the UK focused on funding research into the prevention, treatment and management of kidney disease. Our vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease.
Kidney Research UK works with clinicians and scientists across the UK, funding and facilitating research into all areas of kidney disease. We collaborate with partners across the public, private and third sectors to prevent kidney disease and drive innovation to transform treatments.
Over the last ten years we have invested more than £71 million into research. We lobby governments and decision makers to change policy and practice to ensure that the estimated 7.2 million people living with all stages of kidney disease in the UK have access to the most effective care and treatment, and to make kidney disease a priority.
We also work closely with patients, ensuring their voice is heard and is at the centre of everything we do, from deciding which research to invest in to how we plan our priorities and our work across the charity.
To apply online only, please visit the application portal.
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