E3 Industry and Engagement Manager

E3 Industry and Engagement Manager

The closing date is 16 April 2026

The postholder will play a key role within the UKCRF Network Operations Team, working closely with Work Package Leads and the Industry Operations Manager to support delivery of the NIHR UKCRF Network Industry Strategy. The role will contribute to building and maintaining effective systems and partnerships that support collaborative working with industry and charity partners across the UK and Ireland.

The postholder will support coordination and engagement activity across the UKCRF Network, helping to strengthen links between Clinical Research Facilities, NIHR partners and external stakeholders, and ensuring Network activity aligns with national priorities for early-phase and experimental medicine research. The role will operate across organisational boundaries, supporting delivery of agreed objectives and contributing to the Network's ambition to enhance industry engagement, inclusive research delivery and system-wide collaboration.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will lead and support activity to enable faster, more consistent and more effective set-up and delivery of early-phase and ATIMP trials across the UKCRF Network. This will include supporting implementation of the UK Commercial Trial Pathway for experimental medicine. The role will build, develop and maintain effective working relationships with Life Sciences industry partners and CRF leaders, acting as a key point of contact and supporting structured engagement across the Network. The post holder will contribute to the maintenance and effective use of the Network's capacity and capability intelligence, ensuring information reflects current CRF activity and is used to inform engagement, planning, decision-making and responses to industry enquiries.

The post holder will lead and support engagement activity across the UKCRF Network membership, including meetings, workshops, webinars and events, to promote collaboration, shared learning and alignment with Network priorities. They will work closely with Work Package Leads and colleagues across the Operations Team to support delivery of agreed objectives, milestones and reporting requirements.

The role will also support the Network's inclusion and involvement activity, working with colleagues to promote public, patient and cross-CRF involvement and inclusive practice in engagement with stakeholders and industry partners.

About us

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe - what better place to shape and develop your leadership career.

We deliver care to over 1 million patients & users each year through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. Our 30,000 plus strong workforce is central to our success and innovation.

You will play a pivotal part in supporting our operational excellence and strategic ambitions. You'll work collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical teams, driving improvements that enhance patient experience, staff wellbeing, and service efficiency across the Trust.

MFT offers a dynamic, inclusive environment where your leadership, ideas, and expertise are valued. You'll have access to professional development, digital tools and opportunities to contribute to transformational projects that shape the future of healthcare delivery.

We are committed to supporting your growth and wellbeing, recognising the vital role you play in our organisation's success. Join us and help shape the future of our Trust-make a real difference to our teams, our services, and our communities, and fundamentally, our patients.

Job responsibilities

At MFT, we are highly committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity. Therefore, this role is part of the Removing the Barriers Programme and the E3 secondment scheme.

The great news is that you don't necessarily need to meet all the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification; instead demonstrate strong potential by evidencing your transferable skills, knowledge and experience. This secondment provides a development opportunity to gain exposure and grow your skills for a substantive role in the future.

To find out more about the specific skills and experience required, refer to the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading.

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Early applications are encouraged as we may close early if we receive a high level of interest.

Diversity Matters

MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

We ask applicants to ensure their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role-specific questions, is written by you.

Person Specification Qualifications

• Graduate qualification in a relevant subject or equivalent level of experience

Knowledge

• Understanding of NHS structures and operations.
• Knowledge of commercial and early-phase trial pathways.
• Knowledge of research sponsorship, costings, contracts (including clinical trial agreements) and finance.
• Awareness of national priorities, such as the Life Science Strategy.
• Knowledge of Clinical Research Facilities (CRFs) and NIHR Experimental Medicine and ATIMP infrastructure.

Experience

• Experience of relationship building and account management, including independently managing senior stakeholders to achieve objectives.
• Experience of managing projects, activities, or initiatives to meet objectives within a dynamic environment, using appropriate IT tools (Microsoft and Google suite platforms).
• Experience of coordinating teams, stakeholders, or colleagues to deliver outcomes, including influencing and advising where appropriate.

Address

NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility (central)

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

3 years

Working pattern

Full-time, flexible working, home or remote working

Reference number

349-RES RL4

Job locations

NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility (central)