Head of research jobs

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) is the world’s largest alliance of national societies of obstetrics and gynaecology, bringing together professionals from more than 139 countries and territories. For over 70 years, FIGO has collaborated with the world’s top health, rights and donor bodies. We are in official relations with the World Health Organization and consultative status with the United Nations.

FIGO is dedicated to the improvement of the health and rights of women and girls and to the reduction of disparities in health care, as well as to advancing the science and practice of obstetrics and gynaecology. We pursue our mission through education, research implementation, advocacy and capacity building with our member societies.

The Head of Secretariat plays a pivotal role in supporting the governance, strategic coordination, communications, and operational effectiveness of the charity. This position ensures that the FIGO Board, FIGO Council, committees, and the FIGO member societies are well-supported, informed, and engaged, and that the charity’s governance and decision-making processes are transparent, inclusive, and compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.

Head of External Engagement

Clergy Support Trust is an organisation which “punches above its weight”, in terms both of the help provided to hardworking clergy households, and the influence we seek to have on Church culture. We are looking for an experienced communications professional, able to lead a broad function encompassing all aspects of our external engagement: media engagement, strategic communications, events and fundraising, so we are looking for someone with strong experience across these areas.

As member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of External Engagement will be joining the leading Anglican wellbeing charity, supporting thousands of households each year, as we embark on a new strategic period (2026-30) and at a pivotal point in our mission.

Key responsibilities include:

• To lead, manage and report on the work of the External Engagement team.

• To design and deliver communications relating to the charity’s 2026-28 Strategy, ensuring appropriate, informative content for colleagues, applicants, supporters, partners and stakeholders.

• To oversee delivery of our first ever Fundraising Strategy.

• To be the charity’s principal Press Officer, and to support the Chief Executive

• as the charity’s principal spokesperson.

• To oversee the charity’s growing programme of events.

If you have significant experience in a comparable role, with exceptional writing skills and an excellent understanding of strategic communications together with previous team and budget management experience, we would love to hear from you!

Libraries Connected is seeking a Research and Evaluation Manager to join our newly formed Policy, External Affairs, and Research Team. This is a unique opportunity to shape and deliver impactful research and evaluation across the public library sector.

You’ll lead internal research and data projects, provide in-house evaluation for programmes, and manage external research partnerships—including with academic institutions. Your work will directly inform advocacy, communications, and strategic decision-making.

We’re looking for someone with strong research and analytical skills, experience in managing complex data, and the ability to translate findings into accessible outputs. You’ll be collaborative, detail-oriented, and confident working independently across multiple projects.

Battersea is entering an exciting phase of innovation and transformation as we embark on our new five-year strategy. With increased investment in income generation from 2025, we are expanding our team to drive the growth necessary to achieve our organisational goals. Our fundraising team bridges the journey of the animals in our care with the wider public, demonstrating how their contributions enable us to support every dog and cat.

This is a new role working across Battersea’s Philanthropy, Partnerships and Commercial (PP&C) fundraising team, to help drive income growth and maintain strong funder relationships.

The primary focus of your work will be prospect identification and qualification for an upcoming capital campaign. This will include new major donor prospects and charitable Trusts that support capital projects.
You will also be responsible for undertaking due diligence on individuals, corporations and trusts that are supporting Battersea in order to inform our colleagues about potential financial and reputational risks, empowering them to make informed decisions about our partnerships.
You will be an integral part of the capital campaign, managing the prospect pipelines, tracking prospects as they move through the cultivation cycle and supporting the fundraisers with their cultivation. You will also write and contribute to event biographies for our Special Event program during particularly busy periods.
You will ensure that all research output is compliant with GDPR and will share data protection expertise with other team members.

What we can offer you:
In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 36 days of annual leave (inclusive of 8 days Bank Holiday leave allowance) per year for full time employees (pro-rated for part-time employees).
• Discounted gym memberships and cycle to work schemes.
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources.
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution.
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year.

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Diversity and inclusion:
We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best. 

More about us:
At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Acceptable use of AI:
At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.

To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.

If you are successful to the interview stage of the recruitment process, we ask that you follow the below guidelines on the use of AI at interview stages:

Acceptable use:

• Researching sector trends, company information, or general interview tips.
• Practicing interview questions with AI tools to improve communication skills.
• Using AI to support with structuring your responses.

Please do not:

• Submit AI-generated responses as your own during the interview.
• Use AI to impersonate or misrepresent your experience or skills.
• Use AI tools during real-time interviews.

Closing date: 28th November 2025
All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.

Interview date(s): Week commencing 8th December 2025

For full details on the role, please download the recruitment pack.

To apply for the role, click on the "Apply" button below

The Mental Health Foundation is recruiting for a Head of Research to lead our UK Research team.

Deadline: 5pm on Sunday 30th November
Location: Glasgow OR London
Salary: Starting at £52,166 rising to £60,861, plus London weighting of £4,000 where applicable
Hours: Full-time (32 hours per week)
Contract type: Permanent

This is an exciting new role with the UK’s leading public mental health charity. The Head of Research role is a fantastic opportunity to lead our UK research team to achieve social change. We are looking for research and management expertise, strategic thinking, operational delivery, and the ability to collaborate and communicate with a range of stakeholders including media, academics, policymakers and communities. You will be part of an outstanding leadership team committed to delivering change across the UK. The role will deliver our UK-wide research, reporting to the Director of Research & Lived Experience.

What does the role involve?

• Support the Director of Research & Lived Experience to develop and deliver a 5-year research strategy
• Lead our UK research team to deliver and commission studies and reviews to a high standard at pace
• Present research clearly and persuasively to media, governments, academics, funders and communities

What skills, knowledge and experience are we looking for?

• Excellent research skills, experience and credibility in health or social research
• Strategic thinker who can also effectively manage teams and projects
• Proven communication skills to different audiences

Safeguarding is Everyone’s business – Mental Health Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its beneficiaries, those who surround them, its staff, volunteers, and anyone else who comes into contact with its services and expects all trustees, staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate vetting procedures (proof of eligibility to work in the UK, proof of residency and satisfactory employment screening, including a Disclosure check and two most recent references) along with 3-year renewals of Disclosure checks. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

How to apply

If you think your skills match and you’d like to be part of a dynamic and growing organisation, please complete and submit your application via our website. Please ensure you attach an up-to-date CV and statement of suitability answering all points of the person specification. Applications will close at 5pm on Sunday 30th November and we are unable to accept late applications. Interviews are planned for week commencing 8th December.

We believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. Diversity and inclusion is a strategic priority for us as an employer and mental health charity, and we are proud to be signatories of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter and the Disability Confident Committed Scheme. Applications from under-represented sections of the community are actively encouraged.

If you have a disability, require any additional support or have any questions regarding the role, please contact us. We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment. Disabled candidates who meet all the essential person specification criteria will be offered an interview. Therefore, please do ensure you tick the relevant box on the application form and clearly indicate in your application/covering letter if you consider yourself to meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 / Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

We are currently operating mostly digital recruitment (including interviews via video conferencing). We have moved to a hybrid working model of a minimum of 2 days per week in the office and the rest working from home.

We look forward to hearing from you!

We are looking for a new Head of Influencing to lead Switchback’s work driving change across the justice system, with the voice of young prison leavers at its heart.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the leadership team of an organisation delivering sector-leading impact. You will be growing Switchback’s work to tackle social and racial injustice through creative policy influencing and media campaigns based on insights from our frontline delivery, as well as overseeing our work co-producing research and policy solutions with our Experts by Experience Board and partners across the sector.

We are looking for someone to build on our fantastic progress shifting policy and perceptions – such as our most recent work influencing government policy on recall with insights from our participatory action research and through convening a third sector Recall Reform Coalition to build momentum and a compelling evidence-based case for change.

As Head of Influencing you will work closely with the CEO and your small but mighty Influencing team to campaign for a more human, more effective approach to resettlement. You will harness the powerful insights of Switchback Trainees, alongside the rich evidence from our delivery programme, and grow our collaborative influencing partnerships, including our ambitions to build a national participatory research programme building the business case for a national resettlement framework.

We are looking for a highly creative and collaborative individual with a strong strategic mindset and ability to see the bigger picture, helping Switchback punch even further above our weight. You will bring engaging communication skills and a strong track record of securing policy change through targeted policy work and public campaigning with lived experience at its heart.

You will see the value in shifting wider narratives about young people from poor or ethnic minority backgrounds and understand how to influence decision-makers. Above all, you will be driven to do this by centering the powerful voice and experience of the young men we support and working in collaboration with others across the sector to achieve our aims.

High Trees Community Development Trust is seeking a collaborative and organised Lambeth Community Research Network (LCRN) Coordinator to play a pivotal role in the growth and coordination of a borough-wide partnership driving change in how research is designed and delivered. 

This is an exciting opportunity to support a dynamic, cross-sector network that connects community organisations, researchers, and public institutions to ensure that research in Lambeth is fairer, more inclusive, and community-led. 

You’ll help coordinate the network’s programme of events and projects, strengthen member engagement, and lead on communications that celebrate and share learning. Working within High Trees’ Research and Impact team, you’ll ensure the LCRN continues to thrive as a collaborative and well-connected space that champions community voice and knowledge. 

If you’re a strong communicator with excellent organisational skills and a passion for community-led research, partnership working, and social impact –  we’d love to hear from you. 

About High Trees 

High Trees Community Development Trust has been rooted in Tulse Hill, Lambeth, for over 27 years. We deliver services in education and training, employment, youth and family work, community action, and research and capacity building, working alongside local people and organisations to create meaningful change. 

We are recognised for our collaborative and place-based approach, our long-term partnerships, and our commitment to equity, participation, and community leadership. 

At High Trees, you’ll join a supportive, values-driven organisation that places community at the heart of decision-making. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to innovative and meaningful work that strengthens the influence of communities in shaping research, policy, and practice across Lambeth and beyond. 

About the Lambeth Community Research Network (LCRN) 

The Lambeth Community Research Network (LCRN), hosted and led by High Trees, brings together community organisations, research institutions, funders and public bodies to create a more equitable research ecosystem. 

The network aims to rebalance power in research, ensuring that communities – particularly those often underrepresented –  have genuine ownership and influence over how research is designed, delivered and used. 

Through collaboration, learning, and shared accountability, LCRN members are shaping a model for community-led research that leads to stronger insights, better decisions and more equitable outcomes for Lambeth residents.

High Trees Community Development Trust is seeking an experienced and passionate Head of Children, Young People & Families (CYPF) to join our senior management team and lead one of our core service areas.

This is an exciting opportunity to oversee a wide-ranging CYPF service that directly supports over 400 children and young people each year, and many more through partnerships. You will lead the newly redeveloped Tulse Hill Adventure Playground, ensuring it thrives as a hub for children, young people and families, alongside a portfolio of impactful programmes including school-based mentoring, young leaders’ programmes, family stay-and-play, and peer-led social action.

Supported by our Adventure Playground Manager and a team of youth and play workers, this is an incredibly exciting time for the service – the newly built structures, alongside a small animal area and a growing area, are ready to build an ambitious service around that meets the needs and interests of local children and families.

High Trees is also the lead partner in Building Young Brixton (BYB) – a consortium of 10 youth organisations working with 2,000 young people across Lambeth – which you will coordinate, alongside contributing to the Lambeth Peer Action Collective.

Our Head of CYPF plays a key leadership role that combines strategic oversight with hands-on involvement. You will bring significant experience in youth or community work, with the skills to manage multifaceted services, lead teams, and build strong partnerships with local organisations, schools and statutory bodies. By working closely with our team and partners, you will help ensure that children and young people in Lambeth have the opportunities and support they need to thrive.

Our incredible interim Head of Service will be happy to arrange an informal chat with interested candidates to discuss the day to day responsibilities of the role.

About High Trees

Based in Tulse Hill, High Trees has been rooted in the local community for over 27 years. We delivery community action, employment, education, youth services and community research, working in partnership with local people and local organisations, to build stronger communities and create meaningful change. We are recognised for our collaborative, long-term approach and our ability to adapt and respond to the issues that matter most to local people.

About the role

As Head of Children, Young People and Families, you will:

• Lead and inspire our Children, Young People and Families team to deliver high-impact, community-led work.
• Oversee a portfolio of projects and contracts, ensuring they are delivered to time, budget, and quality.
• Build and strengthen partnerships across the sector to support children, young people and families in Lambeth.
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead for CYPF services and partnerships.
• Contribute as a member of High Trees’ senior management team, helping shape organisational strategy and drive our ambitions across all service areas.

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Significant experience in working with Children, Young People and Families.
• A proven track record of leading teams and managing complex projects.
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills across diverse stakeholders.
• A strategic but practical approach with the ability to balance day-to-day delivery with long-term vision.
• A passion for place-based working, collaboration, and advocating for the needs of children and young people.

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to take a senior leadership role in a values-led organisation at a time of growth and ambition. You will play a pivotal role in shaping CYPF services and ensuring that children and young people in Lambeth have the opportunities and support they need to thrive.

Pancreatic Cancer UK is partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Head of Finance.

Pancreatic Cancer UK goes above and beyond for everyone affected by this disease. Right now, half of the people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die within three months. Families are left with only hope to hold onto but they need more. So, Pancreatic Cancer UK does more.

Pancreatic Cancer UK is now seeking an experienced Head of Finance to take full ownership of the finance function. This pivotal leadership role will enable the Director of Finance, People and Operations to focus on strategic priorities while ensuring robust financial management, insight, and governance across the charity.

Key responsibilities include:

• Taking full ownership of Pancreatic Cancer UK’s finance function, including financial and management accounting, VAT, and statutory reporting.
• Partnering with directorates across the charity to develop budgets, forecasts, and reporting that support strategic decision-making.
• Enhancing the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of financial data to create a more forward-looking, insight-driven finance function.
• Leading the continuous improvement of financial systems, processes, and reporting, driving efficiencies and better collaboration.
• Providing financial leadership during key projects, including a VAT review and ongoing improvements to forecasting and controls.
• Managing, mentoring, and developing a small but high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of accountability and professional growth.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to the senior and wider leadership team, ensuring financial risks and opportunities are clearly communicated and understood.

The Organisation

Pancreatic Cancer UK is courageous, compassionate, and collaborative in all it does. Every member of the team shares one mission and one purpose: to transform outcomes for people affected by pancreatic cancer. Their five-year strategy: Finding breakthroughs. Giving hope. Saving lives.
In the last five years, they have seen more progress than in the previous five decades. In the next five years, they are determined to step up the pace and drive this progress even further, transforming how people with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed, treated, and cared for and ultimately saving lives.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• A professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience as a Head of Finance or similar senior finance leadership role, ideally within a charity or not-for-profit organisation of comparable size (£5m–15m income).
• Strong technical skills across both financial and management accounting.
• Excellent understanding of budgeting, forecasting, statutory reporting and financial control.
• Experience leading and developing a finance team and driving process and system improvements.
• A collaborative and solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience supporting fundraising and operational teams, ideally in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• A proactive mindset and commitment to the mission and values of Pancreatic Cancer UK.

The role offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement, a minimum of two days per week based in their central London office and comes with a comprehensive and attractive range of employee benefits. The closing date for applications is 30^th November, but applications will be reviewed on a on a rolling basis so early submission is encouraged.

Please submit your CV to Robertson Bell, Pancreatic Cancer UK’s exclusive recruitment partner.

Head of Services and Impact

Location: Remote / Hybrid (minimum of one day per month at Cavell’s offices in Redditch, Worcestershire)

Employment Type: Full-time

Salary: £55k – £58k

Cavell is transforming the lives of nursing and midwifery professionals facing hardship or crisis. Domestic abuse, cancer or financial hardship can happen to anyone, but who cares for the Carers when they need help?

As part of its 2026 – 2029 strategy, Cavell are seeking to diversify their services to ensure the support offer meets the evolving needs of the nursing and midwifery workforce. 

They are recruiting for a dynamic and compassionate leader to join the Senior Leadership Team, offering empowering line management to the Support team, leading on a data and insight strategy, driving service planning and improvement, working collaboratively to support the funding and marketing teams, identifying opportunities for new projects and services and leading Cavell’s insight and evidence work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Service Delivery and Oversight: Provide strategic and operational leadership for Cavell’s support team, overseeing casework delivery, monitoring workloads and ensuring service quality and consistency.
• Evaluation, Impact and Continuous Improvement: Designing and implementing robust evaluation frameworks, producing reports and dashboards, using insight to drive continuous improvement and ensuring Cavell’s impact evidence supports internal learning and drives external credibility.
• Funding and Partnership Support: Identify and shape funding opportunities, provide up-to-date data to strengthen bids, support the development of theory of change models, co-develop case studies and contribute to financial planning.
• Research, Insight and Opportunity Development: Conduct and commission research into external services, monitor national and local policy developments and funding landscapes and share insights on emerging needs.
• Championing the Nursing and Midwifery Workforce: Lead Cavell’s insight and evidence work, identify and analyse trends and systemic issues, collaborate with colleagues to translate data into compelling narratives and represent Cavell at external meetings.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Act as a senior leader within Cavell, building a strong, supportive working relationship with the Support team, foster cross-team collaboration and offer effective line management and development.

The Ideal Candidate

You’re an experienced charity leader with an empathetic, compassionate and proactive approach. You will have knowledge of support services and grant making systems and processes and competency in project management. You will have excellent communication and relationship management skills and live and breathe principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience of coaching and developing a high-performing team.
• Has a sound understanding of governance, safeguarding and data protection.
• Has experience of researching need to inform the development of new products or services.
• Prides themselves on having effective negotiation and influencing skills as well as a good attention to detail.
• Is fully competent with IT including Microsoft Office.
• Has effective organisation and time management skills.
• Has experience of optimising a CRM database to effectively capture and manage data.
• Has a sound understanding of the mental health support services provision nationally.
• Has an understanding or empathy for the pressures facing nursing and midwifery professionals.

Our ideal candidate will also:

• Have experience in capturing and recording case studies and impact stories (desirable).
• Have experience of supporting survivors of domestic abuse (desirable).
• Hold a valid driving license (desirable).
• Have a Mental Health First Aid or similar qualification (desirable).

What Success Looks Like:

• The support team are engaged, supported and empowered to thrive.
• Cavell has an effective data and insight strategy, and the voices of nurses and midwives are amplified to contribute to national policy discussions.
• The service offer at Cavell meets the evolving needs of nursing and midwifery professionals with robust evaluation frameworks in place.

Benefits:

• A flexible, supportive working culture.
• 38 days of annual leave (including bank holidays).
• Up to an 8% employer pension contribution.
• Access to an employer assistance program.
• Enhanced sick pay (after probation).
• Enhanced family leave policies.

Application Process

Please click on the application page to download the full job pack prior to applying.

• Apply with your CV and a Cover Letter outlining why you’re interested in this role and how your skills and experiences would make you successful.
• There will be a 2-stage interview process with a virtual interview w/c 8th December and an in-person interview w/c 15th December.
• References and DBS check (upon successful offer).

£40,500 - £44,100 per annum

Fixed term - 12 months, full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Hybrid working with regular travel to our London Bridge Office

What the job involves

We’re looking for a Customer Research Manager to join us on a fixed-term contract to cover parental leave for 12 months. This is a key role in our Customer Analysis and Insight team, helping us build deeper, more meaningful relationships with our supporters and with men with prostate cancer.

You’ll lead on quantitative and qualitative research projects, uncovering insights that shape how we communicate, fundraise, and deliver services. Expect to work on campaign evaluations, audience segmentation, and product development, as well as managing our survey platform and Insights Library. You’ll collaborate across teams to guide market and competitor research and manage a customer research analyst, ensuring our work delivers value for money.

This role is all about turning information into action, helping us understand what motivates our audiences and making sure those insights improve everything we do. You will also lead stakeholder engagement, using your influencing skills to explain the ‘why’ behind our insights and help others see the value of customer research in decision-making.

You will be part of a passionate team that’s focused on making a real difference for people affected by prostate cancer.

What we want from you

You are a research specialist with a strong track record in managing both quantitative and qualitative projects - from design and methodology to delivery and insight communication. You know how to turn complex data into clear, actionable recommendations and are confident presenting findings to a range of audiences.

You are curious, collaborative, and commercially minded, with a proactive approach and a passion for customer insight. You have worked with tools like Displayr, TGI, Toluna, Tableau or similar, and you understand the charity fundraising landscape.

We are looking for someone who is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and allyship, and who brings a fresh perspective to our work. If you are excited by the idea of helping us grow our impact through evidence-based decision making, we would love to hear from you.

Why work with us?
Every man needs to know about the most common cancer in men – prostate cancer. It’s a real and present danger that takes over 12,000 of our dads, grandads, brothers and friends each year.

Prostate Cancer UK is the largest men’s health charity in the UK. We have a simple ambition – to stop prostate cancer damaging lives. We invest millions in research to revolutionise testing, treatment and care. We’re blazing a trail to a screening programme that could save thousands of lives with regular, accurate tests for all men at risk. And we work tirelessly to spread the word about risk and offer specialist support to people living with the disease.

Work with us and you’ll see your efforts pay off as we give men and their families the power to navigate prostate cancer.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

At Prostate Cancer UK we’re committed to righting health inequalities across the UK, starting with those faced by Black men. This includes ground-breaking research into Black men's risk and working with communities directly to overcome barriers to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. To make this happen, we're dedicated to being an inclusive, proactive organisation, as we strive to be Allies to Black communities. We’ll achieve this by advocating and working alongside those communities to promote change. We're also working to be Allies to each other, not only protected groups. In 2024, we launched our New Allyship Training Programme. All colleagues at Prostate Cancer UK will be trained to act and identify as an Ally.

We've also signed Business in the Communities Race at Work Charter, as a dedication to our Black health equity work and wider EDI priorities. As a signatory, we're responsible and accountable for driving positive change.

How and where we work

We are all expected to be in the office (SE1 2QN) 4 days a month (pro-rata for part time colleagues) to work with and alongside colleagues in our immediate team and beyond to build connections and strong working relationships. We value that face-to-face time for relationships, projects and decisions.

Next steps
More information on what we offer, as well as the role, can be found on our vacancies page. Please download our job profile document (job description) with our ‘How to apply’ section sharing the key points to refer to in your application and to apply, please visit the website via the apply button.

The closing date is Thursday 27th November 2025 Applications must be submitted by 23:45 UK time. 

Interviews: By arrangement. Currently scheduled for the week of 1 December 2025.

Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company number 02653887.

Head of strategic research development
 

Location: Contracted to our Peterborough office with the flexibility for hybrid working
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 depending on experience
Benefits: We want all our employees to feel valued and engaged and are committed to offering a positive working culture along with a good work-life balance. As well as ensuring we pay our employees fairly, we offer the following 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

No agencies please
 
Be a part of an energetic and vibrant team who are driven by the desire to improve the lives of people living with kidney disease. Our vision is the day when 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 our 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 also 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.

You will have experience in research strategy, development, funding or portfolio management within the health, biomedical or life sciences sector. You’ll combine strategic insight into how research is funded and evaluated with the ability to lead and inspire others, fostering professional growth and wellbeing.

You will be a strategic thinker, confident and assertive, able to make sound decisions, delegate effectively and keep processes moving at pace. Strong communication skills (written, verbal and interpersonal) will enable you to work well across teams, build productive relationships with colleagues, and to influence and liaise effectively with external stakeholders.

If you are interested in the position, 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 and for more than 60 years the research, we fund has been making an impact. But kidney disease is increasing as are the factors contributing to it, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, making our work more essential than ever.

At Kidney Research UK we work 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.

Most importantly, 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.

Those patient contributions are vital, always helping us and our partners to understand what life is like with kidney disease, always ensuring we see the patient behind the treatment and always reminding us that behind every statistic and every number is a person – the patients and the carers who inspire our mission and push us forward to make a difference and change the future of kidney disease.

You may also have experience in the following: Strategic Research Development, Research Strategy Lead, Health Research Leadership, Biomedical Research, Life Sciences Research, Research Portfolio Management, Research Funding Initiatives, Research Strategy Development, Multi-partner Collaboration, Project/Programme Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Decision-making & Strategic Planning, Funding Evaluation, Policy & Research Translation, Line Management, Team Leadership, Senior Stakeholder Liaison, Charity, Charities, Third Sector, Not for Profit, NFP, etc.
 
REF-225 057

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Research & Operations Manager to work as part of our Fundraising Team.

Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity – and that’s why equity is one of our core values. We draw on the expertise, unique perspectives and lived experience of our people – regardless of who they are or their background – to help us become inclusive and anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider that reflect the diverse communities we support as a mental health charity.

The Fundraising team is a dynamic group of fundraisers who are passionately committed to raising money for our life-changing work in the mental health and mental illness space. We have a diverse portfolio of income streams spanning Events, Community, Individual Giving, Legacies, In-Memoriam, Philanthropy, Trusts & Grants and Partnerships.

Trusts & Grants have a strong track record at Rethink Mental Illness and a growing portfolio of supporters at Mental Health UK. The team is well-positioned to develop innovative funding propositions that support the future ambitions of both charities, working to achieve both in-year cornerstone grants and long-term, transformational funding. As a newly established programme, Philanthropy demonstrates exciting potential for both Rethink and MHUK, with initiatives spanning major donor and mid-value engagement. Corporate Partnerships have launched several exciting partnerships across both charities and that portfolio and team continue to grow.

How you will make a difference

We are looking for a Research and Operations Manager to join our passionate fundraising team. You will play a pivotal role in driving high-value fundraising outcomes across Rethink Mental Illness and Mental Health UK by delivering a strategic, insight-led approach to prospect research and portfolio management.

Managing the Senior Philanthropy and Research Officer you will oversee the identification, qualification and prioritisation of prospects across Philanthropy, Trusts & Grants and Corporate Partnerships. You will lead on due diligence processes, prospect pipeline management, connection mapping and the development of systems and tools that enable data-driven decision-making. Working closely with senior fundraisers and the Interim Head of Trusts and Philanthropy, you will ensure teams have the intelligence and insights needed to build strong, meaningful donor relationships.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion 

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. 

We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; for those who work for us to feel heard, valued and feel they belong; and for our work to help tackle wider mental health inequalities. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience of mental illness, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and any other gender identity not expressed here (LGBTQIA+); people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background - regardless of your age, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political view or socio-economic status.

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation 

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrates our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation. You can read more about our progress here. 

Job Title: Head of Philanthropy

Location: Hybrid with 2-3 days a week at our Head Office (Vauxhall) for donor meetings
Salary: £60,066 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)

Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as our next Head of Philanthropy to provide strategic leadership to grow and diversify philanthropy income, delivering an ambitious growth plan across trusts and foundations and major donors.

The post holder will provide stragetic leadership to grow and diversify philanthropy income, delivering an ambitious growth plan across trusts and foundations, and major donors. You will strengthen existing relationships to deepen engagement and secure increased support, while proactively driving new business and developing robust pipelines to secure the long‑term sustainability and impact of Refuge’s work. 

Closing Date: 09:00am 17 November 2025

First Interview Stage Date: 26th and 27th November 2025 via video conference

Second Interview Stage Date: 3rd / 4th December in person