DARE UK is seeking a Senior Engagement Manager to lead and deliver our programme engagement strategy.

The role will have a significant focus on leading engagement and involvement activities with stakeholders, including the public, data infrastructure providers, data users from across research communities, and research funders.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity for an experienced senior engagement professional to lead and deliver a strategy for a programme that aims to make a tangible difference to people’s lives through data research. As we move into Phase 2 of the DARE UK programme, we are seeking to further establish the programme with key stakeholders across the UK’s sensitive data research community, with an increased focus on the public and third sector.

We are seeking an accomplished individual with a proven track record in specialist communications and engagement programmes which require careful and sensitive messaging and direct involvement with the public. The successful candidate will be able to communicate complex, technical information in ways that engage varied audiences and have experience of commissioning and managing external resources to support project delivery.

Main responsibilities

  • Lead the coordination of all public involvement and engagement (PIE) activities across the programme, including working closely with funded core partners and projects.
  • Lead the development, continuous improvement and delivery of the DARE UK PIE strategy adhering to UK Standards for Public Involvement and good practices set by the Public Engagement in Data Research Initiative (PEDRI).
  • Oversee the planning and execution of specific PIE activities (such as surveys, focus groups, workshops, roundtables, dialogues, webinars, and other involvement and engagement activities) to ensure public voices are incorporated into all appropriate programme activities.
  • Build and maintain high-level internal and external relationships with public representatives, key leaders, policy makers, researchers and public engagement leads across the data research and statistics sector.
  • Ensure we leverage all opportunities to influence policy and support external advocacy to help our stakeholders to embed best practices in patient and public involvement and engagement.
  • Lead on the commissioning of external suppliers to support delivery of the Phase 2 PIE strategy, manage these relationships and project manage delivery to target and budget.
  • Supervise the management and coordination of the DARE UK Public Advisory Group, and engagements with similar groups in the ecosystem, ensuring a diverse representation of public voices.
  • Create and monitor systems to evaluate and demonstrate the impact of PIE efforts to ensure Phase 2 of the programme is informed and shaped by public input throughout.
  • Provide knowledge and insights to the programme director and team as they pertain to public perceptions of the programme.
  • Work closely with the DARE UK Senior Communications & Engagement Manager.
  • Work closely with DARE UK partners including UKRI, ADR UK and HDR UK in ensuring PIE activities are aligned; manage and maintain working relationships with core staff within each partner organisation.
  • Research, write and create engaging content in the form of news stories, blogs, reports, press releases, videos or other formats to support public understanding of the programme.
  • Provide briefings for the programme director and team for presentations and talks.
  • Act as the DARE UK representative in the cross-sector Public Engagement in Data Research Initiative (PEDRI), attending meetings and contributing to initiative activities
  • Attend conferences, events, and meetups relevant to the programme’s vision and work.
  • Ensure equality, diversity, and inclusion considerations in PIE methods and communication channels.
  • Develop, create and monitor systems to evaluate and demonstrate the impact of PIE efforts.
  • Matrix manage the DARE UK Project Coordinator.
  • Act as an internal and external ambassador for PIE to position DARE UK as a leader in this area of work.
  • Support the management of existing relationships, where appropriate seek out new stakeholders and engagement opportunities for the programme across the UK data research ecosystem.
  • Be prepared and able to work flexibly to support colleagues as needed, adapting to an evolving environment and emerging priorities.

Experience

  • Expertise in successfully delivering complex communications and public engagement programmes with multiple components and many collaborating organisations in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong understanding and experience of public involvement and engagement with research
  • Experience of managing partnerships or consortia centered around stakeholder engagement in research
  • Experience of working with and involving public/community groups, working effectively with humility and confidence
  • Experience of defining and documenting requirements from multiple stakeholders
  • Demonstrable experience of planning, running and evaluating activities
  • Experience of producing high quality content for online and offline channels
  • Experience of commissioning and managing suppliers, prioritising resources to deliver high quality outputs
  • Ability to rapidly develop an understanding of data-influenced research processes.
  • Ability to process complex information and present targeted messages to different audiences.
  • Existing experience and understanding of the UK research and innovation sector

Skills

  • Expertise in developing strategies, breaking down long term strategies into component parts and setting milestones
  • Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate and translate technical content effectively and confidently with people at all levels
  • Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, complex environment with resilience and adaptability, with flexible problem-solving ability.
  • Excellent people and interpersonal skills as well as stakeholder engagement / account management including ability to effectively network, negotiate and influence and coach a wide range of stakeholders, including patients and the public, senior leaders and colleagues.
  • Ability to work as part of a team(s), work autonomously without supervision and make effective decisions.
  • Skilled in producing high quality and insightful written outputs, explaining complex scientific and/or technical information without technical jargon.
  • Fluent in English.
  • Commitment to HDR UK’s values – Transparency, Optimism, Respect, Courage and Humility.

Location

  • Flexible. Primary base could be anywhere in the UK, but must be willing and able to travel to London and elsewhere (mainly UK) in connection with the role

Type of contract

  • Full time, fixed term for 24 months with possibility of extension

Salary

  • £52,000 – £57,000

Deadline

  • 31 March 2025 – 5:00 PM

If you’re ready to make a real impact in sensitive data research, we want to hear from you! Click the button below to learn more about the role and apply.

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