The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The Clinical Infection Research Group (CIRG) is seeking an experienced Research Programme Manager to lead the strategic and operational delivery of a high-value research portfolio, ranging from cutting-edge clinical translational studies in the UK to multi-stakeholder national and international collaborative studies. Managing over 30 active grants and working alongside 8 clinical academic Principal Investigators, you will oversee a complex, highly translational programme of research projects focussed at the intersection of global health, infectious diseases and laboratory immunology.

The Senior Programme Manager will be accountable for complete programme lifecycle management, resource planning, risk management and team leadership, ensuring successful implementation of high-impact research within a dynamic academic environment. Additionally, this role acts as the lead project manager for key grants within the programme, fulfilling all funder-mandated project management responsibilities including reporting, financial forecasting, and milestone delivery for these specific awards. Key additional responsibilities will include scaling research operations, managing internal and external stakeholder relationships, navigating national and international regulatory landscapes, and leading our vibrant and diverse multidisciplinary teams.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Strategic Programme Leadership: Develop and implement the long-term operational strategy for CIRG, including infrastructure resilience, equipment management, and workforce planning to sustain a "core" staff model across multiple funding streams.
• Institutional and Clinical Partnerships: Work across multiple University Schools, Faculties, and Institutes, alongside Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and other closely affiliated partners to support coordinated programme delivery and alignment with interdisciplinary networks such as the Sheffield BRC.
• Portfolio & Financial Oversight: Hold delegated responsibility for significant programme budgets, overseeing financial planning, effective fund distribution to global collaborators as well as forecasting and resource allocation across the portfolio. Monitor performance against agreed objectives, ensuring compliance with funder, regulatory and University requirements, and taking corrective action where necessary.
• Specialised Technical Oversight: Lead the operational setup of novel clinical infectious disease research studies (e.g., Human Challenge Models), developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), leading procurement of specialised products and ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies.
• Strategic Portfolio, Programme & Project Delivery: To lead the group research portfolio while retaining direct operational responsibility for specific, high-priority, or complex grants as required. The post-holder will operate with a high degree of agility, acting as the designated project manager for individual grants where the scale, risk, or technical complexity requires senior-level oversight to ensure successful delivery.
• People Management: Directly line manage members of the CIRG (including both laboratory and professional services staff) and provide strategic co-management for the wider research group to support a high performance and high-quality research environment.
• International Operations: Lead on the complex logistics of global health research, including navigating complex non-UK regulatory environments, managing international shipping, and international mobility.
• Strategic Development & External Engagement: Contribute to the development of funding strategies, major grant submissions and research commercialisation activities. Represent the programme in internal and external forums, building effective partnerships with collaborators, funders, service providers and regulatory bodies nationally and internationally.

Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in May 2026. This will consist of an in-person interview. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact t.darton@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes such as the Professional Services Shared Skills Framework
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.