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Website NIHRresearch National Institute for Health and Care Research
Closing date: 27th February
We are looking for a Programme Director for our Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) Programme, to succeed Professor Kathy Rowan who reaches the end of their tenure on 30 September 2026.
The HSDR Programme aims to produce rigorous and relevant evidence to improve the quality, accessibility and organisation of health and social care services by funding high quality, well designed, independent research. Through commissioned and researcher-led workstreams, the HSDR Programme produces findings which meet the needs of NHS and social care managers and leaders. The portfolio includes a range of research studies, typically mixed-methods, with a clear focus on the organisation and quality of care, as well as capturing the experience of patients, staff and service users. To view our current funded projects, please visit the NIHR funding and awards website.
This role is an honorary post and does not confer any employment status or any employment rights. You should have an agreement in writing of support from your employing organisation when applying.
If you believe passionately in inclusive evidence-based care and want to make health, public health and social care services and organisations work better for service users, patients, and the dedicated staff and managers who provide care, and you have a strong track record in health and care services research, then this is the role for you. Leading this influential programme, as part of a wider group of NIHR programme directors, will allow you to work across the health, public health and social care sectors and alongside key influencers in government.
As Programme Director, you will have the opportunity to guide the strategic focus and evolution of the HSDR Programme. You will have strategic accountability for the programme’s research budget, working in co-leadership with the NIHR Coordinating Centre (NIHR CC) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to maximise the value of the investment through the commissioned portfolio. You will be responsible for the overall scientific quality of the HSDR Programme portfolio, and for probity of decision-making. You will have oversight of the programme’s portfolio of funded studies.
Alongside other programme directors, you will be part of the NIHR research programmes senior leadership team. You will work collaboratively across programmes, and with other parts of NIHR and the DHSC, to maximise the strategic impact of not only the HSDR programme but NIHR’s investment across the research programmes portfolio in the delivery of key priorities.
The right candidate will have proven experience of health and social care services research, and reach into the health and care system, as well as sound knowledge of research and development in the field of health, public health and social care. For this role, we are also particularly interested in candidates with experience of working in primary care. They will have a good understanding of research methods relevant to the programme, excellent communication and negotiating skills, and proven ability to chair committees effectively.
This role is accountable to the Deputy Director of Research Programmes in the Science, Research and Evidence directorate at the Department of Health and Social Care.
Tenure and time commitment
The tenure for this role is 3 years in the first instance, to be reviewed at 2 years. In the context of ongoing programme development, this role may evolve as Programme Director roles are reorganised or consolidated. Depending on these changes, there may be potential to extend by up to 2 years to a total of 5 years by mutual agreement.
You cannot hold any other NIHR honorary role for the duration of the tenure, other than in exceptional circumstances.
The overall time commitment includes attending meetings, providing specific advice and undertaking background and planning work.
Key responsibilities
Your key responsibilities will include:
- as part of the wider NIHR Programme Director group, working with the Scientific Director for Research Programmes and the DHSC Science Research and Evidence Directorate senior management team to drive the strategic evolution and profile of both the HSDR Programme and the wider programmes portfolio. This will include working collaboratively with other parts of the NIHR considering not only the HSDR Programme budget but also the overall NIHR programmes budgetary limits as well as the wider policy framework
- setting the scientific direction of the HSDR Programme, including the balance of its content, relevance and responsiveness to the needs and priorities of the wider health, public health and social care system and DHSC, including the need to ensure that research funded by the HSDR Programme crosses public health, primary, secondary and social care borders, where appropriate
- promoting the HSDR Programme, and the NIHR more generally, within the wider research and practitioner communities, with a particular view to maximising the impact of HSDR Programme projects on health and care policy and practice, in turn driving positive impacts on individuals and populations
- supporting the commissioning of research to address strategic priorities
- advising the NIHR on all matters related to the programme and associated areas of interest
- playing a key role in developing the profile of NIHR research programmes and the wider NIHR through significant external liaison and ambassadorial activities
- maintaining relationships with HSDR contract holders and related stakeholders
- providing strategic oversight, through the NIHR CC and in conjunction with DHSC, to ensure the quality and transparency of the procedures adopted for commissioning and managing projects are maintained, to drive maximum impact and value for money
- leadership and decision making in relation to Systems Engineering Innovation Partnerships for Multiple long-term Conditions (SEISMIC) Programme activity – a large-scale programme of research to consider how to better configure services for people with multiple long-term conditions.
You will be expected to:
- play a role in developing the profile of the research programmes through DHSC and/or NIHR strategy groups and significant external liaison
- represent the HSDR Programme on the NIHR Strategy and Engagement Board and other key NIHR fora
- maintain a watching brief on the HSDR Programme portfolio; making recommendations to DHSC on variations to contract requests, meeting research teams to review progress and making decisions on project closures where applicable
- attend activity update meetings with the NIHR CC on a regular basis, to provide advice and receive information to support your role
- respond to and implement new NIHR and DHSC policies, ensuring compliance in the delivery of your responsibilities as a Programme Director
- have a strong commitment and drive to promote equitable and inclusive practices
What you will bring to the role
We are looking for a skilled professional with a background in health and care research. You should have strong communication and leadership skills, and experience or an understanding of research commissioning.
Other essential key skills, qualifications and experience include:
- a higher degree
- knowledge of the NIHR and a good understanding of the health and care landscape and health and social care services delivery
- demonstrable leadership experience relevant to the programme
- willingness to be flexible, as your portfolio may change over time in the context of the ongoing development of NIHR Research Programmes
- a strong commitment to promoting research inclusion in all aspects of programme activity
- the ability to communicate efficiently and effectively
- confident negotiation skills
- discretion in the handling of confidential information
- a proven track record of research leadership and familiarity with processes for securing and delivering high quality research
- a strong commitment to supporting patient and public involvement (PPI) as a core value throughout the programme
- experience of maintaining and creating new, complex relationships
- proven experience of chairing committees
- the ability to interpret budget information effectively
General requirements:
- the capacity to dedicate time to the HSDR Programme, including attending meetings (for example, 6 x 2 day funding committees, 4 x NIHR Strategy and Engagement Board) and preparation work, and post-award activity
- willingness and ability to travel regularly to London and other locations across the UK to attend in-person meetings and engagements as required
- the capacity to work within the wider NIHR including, if required, representing NIHR at national and international level
Equality, diversity and inclusion
The NIHR is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, as outlined in our Research Inclusion Strategy 2022–2027. We want everyone to realise their full potential and make a positive contribution. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities. We are committed to having leadership and teams that are made up of diverse skills and experiences. To find out more, visit our Research Inclusion page.
To enable this, we are committed to removing barriers to participation and ensuring our processes are inclusive. We encourage applications from groups who are underrepresented and from individuals with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. We will provide reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application or appointment process. If you require an adjustment, please contact seniorexternalrecruitment@nihr.ac.uk.
We collect and analyse information on the diversity of people who sit on our committees and panels as well as those who are awarded NIHR funding. You can help by sharing your own diversity data with us when we ask for it. We are committed to ensure your privacy is protected and will handle your data responsibly and adhere to the NIHR Privacy Notice in accordance with GDPR. For more information see the frequently asked questions on the NIHR Diversity Data page.
How to apply
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Deputy Director – Research Programmes, tansy.evans@nihr.ac.uk
To apply, please submit your CV and supporting letter by 1pm on 27 February 2026 via the apply now button below. The supporting letter should be no longer than 2 A4 pages.
A shortlisting panel will assess applications against the essential criteria above.
Before the end of March 2026, we will invite shortlisted applicants for an interview. Interviews will be held in London if possible, otherwise virtually, in mid-late April 2026 (exact date to be confirmed). The successful applicant will be supported by the NIHR team to transition into the role and there will be an opportunity for a minimum of 1 month handover period.
To apply for this job please visit www.nihr.ac.uk.
