Home based jobs in uttlesford, essex

The Involvement and Engagement team at Alzheimer’s Research UK is responsible for delivering a wide portfolio of activities to increase understanding of dementia, engage and involve the public and people affected by dementia with research and promote the work of Alzheimer’s Research UK. The team work closely with people affected by dementia to gather their insights to shape our work and campaigns. 

The team is part of the Information and Involvement department. The department’s mission is to improve understanding of dementia and the diseases which cause it and encourage and support the public and people affected by dementia to get involved in research.

The manager leads on the development of a wide range of activities, such as coordinating meetings with the Lived Experience Involvement Group; the online public engagement programme; and managing the Inspire Fund community engagement grant scheme. The role has responsibility for monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on the impact of the public involvement and engagement programme. In addition, the role holder will identify improvements and undertake strategy development and implementation working with the Head of the Department to deliver this.

Reporting to the Head of Information and Involvement, the Manager has two line reports, and the team works closely with colleagues across the Policy, Communications and Involvement Directorate, notably the Information Services and Policy teams. The team also has regular interactions with people affected by dementia and supports the wider charity in engaging effectively with supporters about dementia research. They work closely with colleagues in the Research and Partnerships directorate, and Volunteering and Events teams to deliver activities.

This is a 12-month fixed term contract to cover a period of maternity leave. This role will be known internally as Involvement and Engagement Manager

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

Lead the Involvement and Engagement team

· Work with the Head of Information and Involvement to plan and implement involvement and engagement programmes to support the development of the charity’s goals.

· Implement the Involvement and Engagement strategy for Alzheimer’s Research UK, ensuring a varied portfolio of opportunities, with a focus on reaching diverse and underserved audiences.

· Line manage two Involvement and Engagement Officers, setting objectives, with responsibility for their personal growth and development, and that of the team.

Implement the involvement of lived experience across the organisation

· Lead the management of the charity’s Lived Experience Involvement Group, overseeing the recruitment, onboarding and ongoing engagement of volunteers with lived experience of dementia.

· Lead and manage the planning of involvement activity, including a calendar of events and activities for the lived experience group, to include regular online meetings, in person events, and opportunities to contribute to ARUKs strategic initiatives and campaigns.

· Responsible for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of involvement activities, ensuring volunteers are aware of their impact, communicating impact of involvement both internally and externally to the organisation.

· Responsible for championing the value and impact of involvement across the organisation, seeking new involvement opportunities and working towards embedding involvement in key areas of the charities work.

· Work closely with and support the Research Involvement Manager with implementing involvement of lived experience in research programmes, also with external requests for support with involvement in research.

· Ensure processes to manage a database of lived experience volunteers are robust and up to date and that policies and procedures are adhered to.

Deliver public engagement programmes and activities

· Deliver the Inspire Fund community engagement grant scheme, managing the application and awards process, monitoring ongoing grants, supporting grant holders and reporting on impact.

· Oversee the planning and coordination of the public engagement events programme, including supporting the Involvement and Engagement Officer with delivery of the online public engagement series and other events.

· Working closely with colleagues in the Research team support and facilitate dementia researchers to deliver public engagement activities, providing guidance and resources as required.

· Work with the Involvement and Engagement Officers to maintain existing engagement resources and promote their use across the charity. Develop new engagement resources that can be used across a variety of events.

· Support colleagues across ARUK to build skills and confidence talking about dementia and research, and how to engage with their audiences.

What we are looking for:

· Graduate or equivalent level of education in biomedical sciences, science communication or similar.

· Experience of discussing and communicating health or research matters to the public.

· Experience of working with people affected by a long-term health condition and supporting their contributions to organisational activities or research.

· Experience of leading outreach, engagement and involvement/or involving the public with research.

· Strong experience of planning, coordinating, and delivering involvement and engagement events.

· Relevant project management experience.

· Experience working in an involvement, engagement, or public facing role or similar.

· Experience of working across partnerships, building strong working relationships (internally and externally).

· Strong and effective written and spoken communication skills, ability to tailor to lay audiences.

· Good knowledge of the research process and how the public can play a part in that process.

· Knowledge and understanding of engagement and involvement methods drawn from academia, health research or the charity sector.

· Ability to identify and develop creative opportunities for public engagement and involvement and discussion emanating from scientific research.

· An eye for creativity and innovation, and ability to grow personal network of professional contacts and create new opportunities for engagement and involvement.

· Excellent organisational skills; the ability to manage a number and variety of tasks to multiple deadlines.

· Ability to communicate appropriately with people affected by dementia and their families.

· Willingness and ability to travel independently in the UK occasionally and to work outside of regular office hours when needed.

· A confident, friendly and professional attitude; would feel at ease representing the charity to a range of audiences.

· Working with independence, intelligence, drive and initiative.

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £44,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 29th June 2025, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website. 

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2024, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement. This is the second consecutive time; we have been awarded a Best Companies 3-star accreditation.

We were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

· 18th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

· 10th in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

· 2nd in the 30 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

In addition, we were also shortlisted for a special award recognising the work undertaken on reducing our environmental impact.

In 2021, we were awarded the HR Management award by The Charity Times for our Wellbeing initiatives throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, we demonstrated our commitment to changing the way we think and act about mental health in the workplace and signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge. 

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK

Job Title: HR Manager

Line Reports:  Interns and secondments to People Team

Location: Flexible, hybrid, with some travel required to our offices (London, Manchester or Birmingham)

Salary:  £32,500-38,500 (£35,000-41,000 in London)

Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours per week, open to flexible working

Contract: Permanent

Overall purpose

Reporting to the Director of People, the HR Manager will take responsibility for the operational delivery of Breaking Barriers’ key People and HR activities and initiatives. You will have a strong knowledge of all aspects HR and provide proactive, practical support on day-to-day operations as well as leading strategic HR projects. A keen understanding of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace and employee wellbeing is an advantage.

This role is essential to ensure we continue to be an effective, inclusive and people-led organisation. Your role will be vital in making sure Breaking Barriers is and continues to be a great place to work for its staff.

You will deliver day to day HR support to team members and managers, work across the organisation to advise on HR policies and good practice, deliver recruitment processes, and deliver and track Learning & Development. You will support on wider strategic initiatives, working with the Director of People to embed new strategies and projects informed by employee feedback.

To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack.

Other considerations

• As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out preemployment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.
• Some travel between our different areas of operation (including London, Birmingham and Manchester) will be required. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required. Time off in lieu would be provided in this case.
• We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.

How to apply

If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. To apply, please submit a CV and statement (up to approximately 500 words/1 A4 page) outlining:

• Why you are interested in the role
• What skills you would bring to be successful in this role
• Any experience you would like to highlight
• Any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process
• Disclosure of disabilities if you wish to do so (as a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role)

Please note that applications without a covering letter will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is 11:30pm on Saturday 5th July. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background. 

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach out to HR Manager Dani Meier for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert, but you can find contact details on the final page of the attached recruitment pack).