Job Description

Job Advert

Head of strategic research development

Contracted to our Peterborough office with the flexibility for hybrid working

Salary 50,000 - 55,000 depending on experience

Full time: 37.5 hours per week

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. With a strong understanding of research governance, funding processes and evaluation frameworks, you will have experience managing or mentoring staff, 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.

Closing date: Wednesday 3 December 2025

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Telephone interviews will be held week commencing 8 December 2025

Interviews will be held week commencing 15 December 2025

No agencies please

Department

Research

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:

LOCATION

Our main office is set in the city centre, a short walk from the bus and train station, with direct services from Cambridge, Norwich, Birmingham, Leicester, Leeds, Liverpool, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. London King's Cross is just 45 minutes away. The building is adjacent to the A15, just a few minutes from the A1 and direct connections to the national road network. Cyclists also benefit from Peterborough's Green Wheel, a network of routes in and around the city, providing safe links to all areas.

FLEXIBLE WORKING

Flexible working hours with start and finish times around core hours of 9.30 - 4.30.

ANNUAL LEAVE

All full time employees start with paid bank holidays plus another 25 days holiday, increasing with every year of service to a maximum of 30. This is calculated on a pro rata basis for part time employees. Employees have the option to "sell" up to one-week annual leave, in a pre-set window prior to the start of the holiday year

PENSION

The charity makes a generous contribution of 6% to a group pension plan. Employees will need to contribute a minimum of 2%, to meet the current pension regulations. All employees are enrolled in the pension scheme as soon as they join the charity, regardless of their salary levels, whether they are on a permanent or fixed-term contract.

PARENTAL LEAVE

We comply fully with all legislation with relation to maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave.

SICK PAY

Charity sickness benefit is available once an employee has worked with us for three months and equates to 2 weeks full pay, 2 weeks half pay in any rolling 52 week period. After one year's service, this rises to 4 weeks full pay and 4 weeks half pay, and after two years to 8 weeks full pay and 8 weeks half pay.

DEATH IN SERVICE

Covers all employees after three months' service, whether on permanent or fixed-term contract, and pays four times salary in the event of death while employed. The cover is provided up to your 65th birthday or the state pensionable age, whichever is greater.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME

A confidential email or phone line available to all employees who need support, advice or counselling with respect to work and non-work related issues.

BIKE LOAN SCHEME

We offer an interest free loan for employees who wish to purchase a bicycle, whether for travel to and from work or to enter an event for the charity.

CYCLE2WORK SCHEME

Through a salary sacrifice scheme, we offer a tax efficient way of purchasing a bicycle, for travel to and from work, where the cost is paid over 12 months.

EYECARE

We offer to cover the cost for eye tests and help towards glasses where these are required for computer work (in line with legislation).

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

We offer a variety of webinars and training courses so that employees can develop and reach their full potential. There are regular sessions for knowledge sharing across the charity and opportunities to get involved in events, research visits and volunteering activities.

PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE

All staff can choose to opt in to the private medical insurance, arranged and paid for by the charity, which includes dental and optical cover. Staff can include their partner and / or children at their own expense

DISCOUNT PORTAL

All employees can take advantage of free access to discounted Cards and Vouchers for top retailers.

INTEREST FREE LOAN

We offer an interest free loan scheme for all staff. Employees can borrow up to 1,000, which will be deducted over a 12-month period from your net salary (similar to a season ticket loan), but without the need to specify what the loan is for.

Closing date for applications

3rd December, 2025