Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Manager - FTC

Patient & Public Involvement and Engagement Manager - FTC Contract type Fixed Term

Location Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AD (Agile; approximately 2 days a week from our office)

Published

Published

6 days ago

Closing

Closing

in 18 days

This is a Fixed Term , 12-months, Full Time vacancy.

The Vacancy

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 & RESPONSIBILITIES:

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.
• 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.

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.

The Charity

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 trialsthat 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.

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.

The Benefits

It is important to offer a range of benefits which are designed to meet both the organisational and individual needs, are market competitive and designed to attract and retain employees.

For more details on working for Alzheimer's Research UK click here .

Alzheimer's Research UK . click apply for full job details