Senior Research and Evidence Manager

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Senior Research and Evidence Manager will lead UPDs research and evidence function, providing senior judgement and oversight across the research portfolio. They will commission and deliver high-quality research, identify emerging trends, and produce authoritative evidence syntheses that support UPDs mission, influence and long-term sustainability.

Working closely with colleagues across policy, communications and engagement, the postholder will ensure research is robust, inclusive, timely and clearly connected to organisational priorities and external engagement. As a senior member of the team, they will set standards for research quality and delivery, support the development of others, and contribute to funding sustainability through both partnerships and evidence-based project development.

The role also leads the translation and co-production of research-informed resources, turning insight into practical, usable products for different audiences. It requires strong judgement, autonomy and the ability to manage complexity and shifting priorities

Responsibilities

Research and evidence leadership

• Lead UPDs research and evidence function, ensuring UPD remains an authoritative and trusted source of insight on public attitudes to health and care data.
• Set and uphold high standards for research quality, ethical practice, accessibility and impact.
• Embed a culture of learning and continuous improvement across research activity.
• Monitor emerging trends, policy developments and evidence gaps, providing strategic insights and recommendations.

• Lead the design, commissioning and delivery of research and synthesis projects, including literature reviews, participatory research, stakeholder interviews and evidence mapping.
• Provide senior oversight of project planning, timelines, budgets and risks, intervening early where issues arise.
• Ensure outputs are analytically robust, clearly framed and proportionate to the questions being asked.
• Ensure UPDs research and evidence base reflects diverse voices and perspectives, embedding inclusivity and equity in all research design and interpretation.
• Balance hands-on delivery with senior oversight, maintaining visibility across the research portfolio.

• Translate research findings into accessible, high-quality products such as reports, briefings, dashboards, articles and presentations.
• Lead and support the co-production of research-informed resources with colleagues and stakeholders, ensuring outputs are meaningful, credible and usable.
• Lead the development of evidence syntheses, including UPDs new flagship State of the Nation report on public attitudes to health data; coordinating literature reviews and stakeholder insights.
• Provide research briefings and evidence summaries to support external engagement, media and policy influence.
• Ensure research outputs and derived resources align with UPDs narrative and influencing goals.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with research partners, patient and public groups, policy stakeholders and sector organisations.
• Manage stakeholder engagement sensitively and purposefully, including in co-production activity.
• Represent UPD at external meetings and events, deputising for the Head of UPD where appropriate.
• Proactively manage dependencies, risks and relationships across teams and partners.

• Lead development of UPDs own monitoring and evaluation framework alongside the Head of UPD to track impact, reach and learning across workstreams.
• Initiate and contribute to funding proposals and evidence-based project justifications that support UPDs sustainability.
• Horizon scan for partnership and funding opportunities aligned to UPDs strategy.
• Contribute to internal and external reporting, including for governance groups and funders.

• Act as a senior member of the team, modelling strong judgement, collaboration and professional confidence.
• Line-manage and mentor team members as agreed with the Head of UPD.
• Operate effectively within a matrix working environment across UPD and the NHS Confederation.
• Provide informal leadership that supports clear expectations, effective ways of working and a healthy team culture.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience shaping how research and evidence inform public understanding, policy and practice, including translating insight into action and influence.
• Strong demonstrable understanding of the health and data landscape, including public attitudes, research developments and stakeholder perspectives, with the ability to anticipate emerging risks and opportunities.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust, challenge constructively, and present complex evidence clearly and persuasively to senior and diverse audiences.
• Substantial experience designing, commissioning and leading research or evidence projects, including managing external partners to deliver high-quality, timely and proportionate outputs.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgement in a fast-moving environment, balancing competing priorities, managing trade-offs and maintaining quality under pressure.
• Proven ability to work autonomously, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and remain accountable for delivery, visibility and follow-through.
• Strong project and programme management skills, including setting milestones, managing risk, assuring quality and seeing work through from scoping to delivery and evaluation.
• Demonstrable experience operating effectively in a matrix environment, building alignment across teams and functions to deliver shared organisational goals.
• Experience leading or supporting the co-production of research-informed resources, ensuring outputs are usable, accessible and meaningful for different audiences.

Desirable

• Experience contributing to funding proposals, partnerships or commercial opportunities linked to research and evidence activity.
• Experience managing budgets or overseeing commissioned research activity, including reporting to funders or partners.
• Experience managing or supporting others work through line management, mentoring or informal leadership, supporting capability and confidence development.
• A relevant research, evaluation, policy or project management qualification, or equivalent professional experience.

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Confederation

Address

2

The Calls

Leeds

West Yorkshire

LS2 7JU

Employer's website

https://www.nhsconfed.org/ (Opens in a new tab)