Head of Strategy, Engagement and Inclusion

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Delivery Network (RDN) is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to enable the health and care system to attract, optimise and deliver research across England. The RDN consist of 12 Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDNs) and a Coordinating Centre (RDNCC), working together as one organisation with joint leadership. The Network contributes to NIHR's mission to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. North West RRDN, hosted by Manchester University NHS Foundation NHS Trust, is at the forefront of this mission, enabling research that improves lives.
As Head of Strategy, Engagement, and Inclusion, you will play a pivotal role in driving the strategic development of the North West RRDN. Working at the regional and national levels, you will lead initiatives to engage diverse stakeholders, embed inclusive practices, and enhance public involvement in health and care research. Reporting to the RRDN Strategic Development Director, you will manage the domains of Strategy, Communications, and Study Participation Inclusion, supporting the delivery of national priorities across the region.
We are looking for a strategic thinker and visionary leader with a strong background in stakeholder engagement, inclusion, and strategy development within the NHS or a related field. You will have experience in matrix management, financial planning, and performance evaluation. Your ability to build collaborative relationships, coupled with advanced communication and analytical skills, will be critical to your success in this role.
**Main duties include (but are not limited to)**:

- Develop and implement regional strategies aligned with national RDN priorities.
- Lead engagement and inclusion initiatives to increase participation in research, particularly from underserved communities.
- Provide senior leadership to the RRDN, overseeing Strategy, Communications, and Study Participation Inclusion teams.
- Manage stakeholder relationships, ensuring alignment with NIHR and NHS objectives.
- Analyse data to support decision-making and the development of regional capacity and capability.
- Promote continuous improvement by embedding inclusive practices in research delivery.
- Represent the RRDN at national forums, acting as an ambassador for the RDN.
MFT is one of the largest NHS Trust In England with a turnover of over £3bn & is on a different scale than most other NHS Trusts. We’re creating an exceptional integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services every year.
Bringing together 10 hospitals & community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we champion collaborative working & transformation, encouraging our 30,000 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you’ll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary.
We’ve also created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient & staff experience, operational effectiveness & driving research, and innovation through the introduction of Hive; our Electronic Patient Record system which launched in September 2022.
We’re proud to be a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, providing you with a robust infrastructure to encourage and facilitate high-quality research programmes. What’s more, we’re excited to be embarking on our Green Plan which sets out how MFT continues to play its part in making healthcare more sustainable.
At MFT, we create and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open, and transparent, protecting your health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together.
Diversity Matters
We’re looking forward to hearing from you