Director of research and innovation jobs in birmingham, west midlands

Purpose of the post

This role will have a particular focus on managing the HDRUK contribution to our partnership with the EPSRC Digital Health Hubs in the South West and Wales (LEAP) and the North West and North Cumbria (NortHfutures) which aim to drive innovation in digital health by promoting knowledge and skills sharing across healthcare, academia and business but there will be opportunities and a requirement to contribute to the wider training offer and strategy. This role is an exciting opportunity to take responsibility for the delivery and monitoring of the innovative learning experiences that make up HDR UK’s training programme.

You would also be expected to help support the wider portfolio of activities such as Workshops, webinars and seminars, research fellowships, academic and summer schools, and many more!

Main responsibilities

You will work in close collaboration with the LEAP and NortHfutures Digital Health Hubs where you will have the opportunity to support the delivery of various Skills and Training Work Packages, and engagement in regular partnership meetings on the Training and Skills programme including Bespoke Digital Health Training, the HDR UK Black Internship Programme and Capacity Building Offers and Events.As well as, supporting securing of funding for hosts, recruitment of host organisations from amongst the Hub partnerships, delivery of funding awards for hosts, recruitment of interns for positions with hosts.

Essential Criteria: 

• The role would be suitable for someone with a strong interest in digital technologies and their use in health and social care. Also, have an interest in research training development across different career stages and sectors. 
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferably in science.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm and interest in recent innovations in digital technologies particularly in health and social care.
• Demonstrate an understanding of or experience in academia, the NHS and social care sectors.
• Possess a passion for developing training initiatives to support life-long learning,
• Excellent communicator with the ability to engage a variety of audiences and stakeholders.
• Curious, original and inspirational thinker.
• Project/programme management experience with advanced planning skills and a strong execution orientation.
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritise and focus on material issues. In-depth knowledge of training and education, learning design, and blended learning

Applicants from a scientific research background who are seeking to move into science research strategy, support and/or administration for the first time would be especially welcome to apply. Full-time secondments are actively encouraged.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Digital and Marketing Manager (Strategy) 

Reports to: Director of Advocacy and Influence 

Manages: Content Specialist 

Salary: £43-48K 

Location: Remote working in the UK, with travel required to our London office for meetings and for events, as required. Must have the right to work in the UK. 

Working Pattern: 35 hours per week. We promote and encourage flexible working all types, in line with our flexible working policy 

Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave per annum; additional three days’ closure over Christmas; employer pension contribution 6-8%, employee matching contribution min 2%; Employee Assistance Programme; we fund and encourage Continuing Professional Development. 

Application Deadline: Monday 4 August 23:59. 

About Us:  

Population Matters is a growing UK charity with a global remit. We are a dedicated small organisation of individuals who has big ambitions. We adopt a can-do approach and belief to implementing our vision - a world in which our human population lives fairly and sustainably with nature and each other.

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Manage all digital channels, encompassing website, email and social media, including delivery of strategy targets. 

• Working alongside the fundraising team, drive measurable supporter acquisition, engagement and retention activity across digital platforms, employing a test and learn approach and scaling for optimisation.

• Drawing on your digital and marketing strategic knowledge work with the Content Specialist and Fundraising team and others, to inform and manage the creation of online and offline communications assets, including idea generation, writing, editing, proof-reading, fact-checking, and basic design to strengthen our influence among strategic audiences and media. 

• Monitor digital and marketing trends and industry standards to ensure best practice and advise on new digital initiatives and innovation. 

• Ensure adherence to Population Matter’s digital and social media security measures. 

• Management of digital and marketing budget. 

For the full person spec and duties and responsbilities please refer to the attachement below.

To apply: Please share your CV (no more than 2 pages) and your response to the following question: Please provide: ‘An example of a multi-platform digital and marketing strategy you led on. Please include: What made it effective? Which platforms did you use and with which methods? How did you use audience insights to inform your digital strategy? What would you have done differently?’ (max 800 words)

Interviews: First round of interviews will be held on 13th August 2025 and second round week beginning 18th August 2025. 

Job Title: Project Coordinator – Global Citizens’ Assembly 

Location: Remote, with occasional travel within the UK (some international travel possible)

Contract type: Full-time, fixed-term (12–18 months with the possibility of extension). UK adjacent hours (with some flexibility)

Reports to: Delivery Manager 

Closing date: Wednesday 13th August

Salary: £30,000 - £35,000 per annum, depending on experience

Benefits: 35 days annual holiday + national holidays; 14 annual days medical leave; 3% employer pension contribution; open to flexible working

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and short cover letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience.

About the role

Iswe is a social impact foundation dedicated to finding ways to put people at the heart of social and political decision-making to solve some of society’s greatest challenges. 

We are seeking a proactive, organised and values-driven Project Coordinator to support the delivery of the Global Citizens’ Assembly. This is a pivotal role, providing core operational and logistical support, enabling Iswe to deliver a high-quality, inclusive, and impactful Civic Assembly as part of the Global Citizens’ Assembly.

You will work closely with the Civic Assembly Delivery Manager and Programme Director, supporting work around governance, research, evaluation and partnerships.

The role holder may occasionally need to work unusually long hours or at inconvenient times (due to the international nature of this project, but we aim to keep this to a minimum). The period when this is most likely will be mid-January to mid-February 2026 (Wednesdays and Saturdays; exact dates to be confirmed).

A note on representation

We know that building a team representative of wider society fosters creativity and innovation. We welcome people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences and are committed to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly welcome applications from candidates who are disabled, Black, Asian or from other minority ethnic backgrounds, who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community, or identify as from a lower or disadvantaged socioeconomic background as these groups are currently under-represented on our staff team.

Key responsibilities

Operational and administrative support

• Organise cross-team coordination meetings and internal updates with the Programme Director and Delivery Manager.

• Maintain shared calendars, folders, task trackers, and the Civic Assembly delivery schedule in collaboration with the Delivery Manager.

• Provide administrative support for project team meetings, including scheduling, agendas, notes, and follow-up actions.

• Track budgets and delivery-related expenditure with the Delivery Manager.

• Manage contracts, documents, and partner relationship records.

• Support workflow integration across research, evaluation, user research, data, impact, and communications teams.

• Maintain the team’s risk register and act in line with data protection and security policies.

• Act as the primary point of contact for day-to-day organisational tasks.

• Occasionally assist with travel bookings and visa arrangements for partners.

• Assist with other operational or administrative tasks as required and as capacity allows

Governance coordination

• Support the Civic Assembly Team in convening advisory and oversight boards, including scheduling meetings and tracking decisions and milestones.

• Compile documentation for reporting, particularly on governance and process transparency.

• Maintain accurate, timely records of all governance activities, upholding GCA’s commitments to accountability and ‘deliberating in the open’.

Civic Assembly delivery coordination

• Support the Delivery Manager and Programme Director in maintaining the Civic Assembly’s overall project delivery plan, timelines and task tracking.

• Assist the Delivery Manager to develop a delivery plan, workflows, and risk management strategies.

• Lead the implementation of the delivery plan with the supportive oversight of the Delivery Manager and Programme Director.

• Ensure accessibility, inclusion, safeguarding, translation and wellbeing protocols are implemented in practice.

• Coordinate the execution of Civic Assembly sessions, including the scheduling (and possibly hosting) of plenary videocalls, ensure all personnel have access to the videocall links and resources they require to participate.

Coordination and support of global delivery personnel

• Support Regional Leads by monitoring recruitment of Facilitators and Notetakers, helping fill any shortfalls ahead of the Civic Assembly.

• Liaise between the Process Team and delivery personnel (Facilitators, Notetakers, Editors), including scheduling and coordinating training.

• Coordinate Facilitators: Distribute materials, manage schedules and substitutions, and maintain regular communications for logistical updates and motivation.

• Coordinate Notetakers: Convene regular team meetings, maintain ongoing communications, manage schedules and substitutions (occasionally stepping in as a Notetaker), and organise outputs for Editors.

• Provide ongoing logistical support to Facilitators and Notetakers throughout the Assembly.

• Act as a primary point of contact for Regional Leads, ensuring their work is well-supported.
   

Assembly participant support & engagement

• Support Regional Leads in assessing and addressing the inclusion needs of Community Hosts and Assembly Members, including arranging internet connectivity where required.

• Oversee and adapt participation processes to ensure diversity, accessibility, and wellbeing.

• Coordinate the distribution of materials and resources to Assembly Members via Regional Leads and Community Hosts.

• Monitor and respond to emerging needs within the mini‑public infrastructure, including technical support and pastoral care as necessary.

Research & evaluation coordination

• Support the Research & Evaluation Lead in implementing the project’s research framework and evaluation plan.

• Collate data, insights, and learning from delivery and research teams.

• Assist with drafting and editing sections of the final project report and learning briefs.
   

Skills and experience

Essential

• At least 3 years of experience in project coordination, preferably in civic engagement and/or non-profit contexts.

• Demonstrated experience managing logistics and operational delivery of complex projects.

• Extremely organised with attention to detail whilst being able to navigate uncertainty and changing priorities.

• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.

• Excellent communication skills – written, verbal and interpersonal.

• Confidence working with a range of internal stakeholders and external partners.

• Proactive and able to spot and execute tasks which may have been missed in planning.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing circumstances.

• Competence in document management, minute-taking, shared drives, and collaborative tools (e.g. Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, Airtable); extremely competent with Google Sheets and Google Docs.

• Commitment to the values of inclusivity, accessibility, transparency and meaningful public participation.

• Familiarity with safeguarding, data protection, and wellbeing protocols.

Desirable

• Experience working in an international or cross-cultural setting.

• Experience in climate policy, food systems, environmental justice, or related fields.

• Familiarity with digital engagement platforms and hybrid event management.

• Understanding of participatory and/or deliberative democracy methodologies.

About Iswe

We believe that many of the crises we face today - health, climate, the cost of living etc - are symptoms of failing governance structures, and that putting people in the driving seat of decision-making will transform our futures for the better. Our work focuses on Citizens’ Assemblies.

Our team has decades of experience in democratic innovation. Projects include Global Assembly for COP26 and The Future Armenian. Iswe is a fast-growing foundation, dedicated to empowering citizens to play a leading role in the decision-making that affects their lives. 

Our work is founded on strong values, including openness, transparency and humility. We believe that when ‘I’ (an individual) becomes ‘we’ (part of the collective), the results are transformational. We are actively working to build a healthy culture, rooted in care and characterised by being self-organising and self-reflective. We are committed to addressing the dynamics of oppression in ourselves and our work.

We are looking for an exceptional individual to join our busy team at LimeCulture.

The Head of Safer Cultures (Sport) is a senior leadership role within the organisation, responsible for driving high-impact safer cultures and safeguarding strategies and projects across a range of sectors, with a primary focus on Sport. This role requires a highly experienced professional who has led cultural change and safeguarding work at a strategic level, is confident working at executive and board levels, and brings a strong understanding of how safeguarding principles apply across different organisational cultures.

The postholder will play a key role in leading consultancy projects, influencing strategic cultural change and safeguarding decisions, and contributing to the development of content and resources

This is a full-time role and is primarily home-based with some planned travel and so candidates can be based anywhere in the country. 

Job description

We’re looking for an enthusiastic Communications and Events Coordinator lead the development and delivery of Khulisa’s communications strategy and key campaigns, designed to engage our supporters, stakeholders, and the wider UK public.

About Khulisa: 

Khulisa, meaning 'nurture' in the Zulu language of South Africa, is an award-winning charity dedicated to providing therapeutic support to young people. We focus on reaching those who are most at risk – young people from deprived communities who are often marginalized, vulnerable to exclusion, and at heightened risk of becoming involved in crime.

Our approach centres on safe, exploratory methods that aim to understand behaviour and experiences often rooted in trauma, abuse, and neglect. We deliver intensive therapeutic programs within educational and community settings, empowering young people to confront the underlying causes of their emotional distress and work toward healing. To create lasting, sustainable change, we also work to establish trauma-informed environments around young people by equipping parents, caregivers, educators, and other professionals with the tools they need to offer effective, supportive care. Currently, our services are active in London and Manchester. 

About the role: 

This role will be a key part of helping to raise awareness of Khulisa’s mission and the issues we address, strengthening support for our programmes. The postholders will also take ownership of planning and delivering all Khulisa events, ensuring they are impactful and well-executed.

• Develop and deliver Khulisa’s Communications and Branding Strategy in line with the strategic plan.
• Lead public engagement campaigns to raise awareness, promote youth voice, and drive participation.
• Plan and manage events, including fundraising and challenge events, from concept to delivery.
• Create and manage digital content across social media, website, newsletters, and other channels.
• Recruit and supervise volunteers to support communications and event-related activities.

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please see the attached job description below. 

The post holder will be required to work from home permanently but be willing and able to easily travel to various locations across the London and the North West as necessary to fulfill the requirements of the role and to engage with stakeholders and colleagues.

What we're looking for:

1. Abilities/Experiences

• Experience in digital campaigning and digital content creation.
• Experience of planning and delivering events, including fundraising events, liaising with partners, suppliers and colleagues.
• Excellent written, copywriting and editing skills and proven ability to communicate campaigning messages in a compelling, succinct and engaging way.
• Experience creating digital content for a variety of audiences, including experience of using a range of digital software and tools, and knowledge of message testing and optimisation.
• Experience in designing popular, results-oriented and successful campaigns.
• Ability to use design software (such as InDesign, Canva, Photoshop and Illustrator).
• Experience working within a close-knit team in a busy and fast paced working environment.
• Demonstrable ability to plan and prioritise own workload with minimum supervision.
• Ability to buy strongly into strategic objectives and reflect passion for Khulisa’s work with and for young people.
• Experience of using Salesforce or similar CRM system as well as all-in-one marketing platform such as
• Mailchimp to deliver effective long-term public engagement.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends when required.

2. Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Project Management, Events Management or Communications, or equivalent years of experience.

3. Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of relevant software and digital tools to deliver effective long-term public engagement and digital fundraising campaigns.
• Strong knowledge of WordPress or similar website builder.
• Knowledge of best practice in digital fundraising.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We are actively looking to recruit a diversity of talent. We embrace, respect and value the difference in our employees and believe that we and our work is better for it. We are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment that consists of fairness, dignity, and caring for everyone, and one that enables every employee to flourish and realise their potential.