Salary: OS17 £55,119 - £57,362

Hours: 37

Location: Carlisle and flexible locations within Cumberland with agile/remote working

Contract: Fixed term, until 31 December 2028

About this opportunity

This is an exciting time for Cumberland Council and an exciting role leading a high- profile and significant project. We are one of around 30 areas that have been awarded funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to set up a centre for research excellence – a Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC).  We have created a new research team working across the council and with partners in higher education, health and voluntary sectors. The core aim of the project is to increase research capacity within the council and build partnerships to conduct and use research about health inequalities – helping us to better understand the health issues in our area that matter to communities and how we might better address them.

The core HDRC team are now established within the council and much work has been done over the past year to develop relationships with partners and develop research governance and other building blocks, as well as starting to deliver and facilitate training and learning. One of the next key steps for the project is the recruitment of a team of community co-researchers who will be key to our objective of building research active communities across Cumberland.  This is a rare opportunity to join and lead a fantastic, hugely motivated team working on an innovative project.

This role is available on a fixed-term basis. Although its full-time, part time and/or job share arrangements may be considered.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for an outstanding individual with a proven track record of systemwide leadership and innovation with excellent project and programme management skills. You will have a strong background in collaborative working within a research environment as well as an understanding of relevant research structures and systems. You will be a problem solver with the ability to ‘self-task’ and conceptualise, communicate and implement entirely new ideas and approaches.

As Research and Innovation Manager you will:

• lead and manage the operational delivery and inform the strategic management of the £4.8 million research investment.
• ensure the collaborative achieves its ambition of developing a research culture across the council that will support the transformation and innovation of services to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities.
• be operationally responsible for the HDRC Core Team working alongside academic partners ensuring the collaboration meets its delivery plan and complies with NIHR contractual arrangements.
• work collaboratively with other local authority staff and partner agencies to influence an integrated and co-ordinated approach to identifying shared research priorities.
• develop strong research partnerships across the regional and national research ecosystem to maximise the potential impact for joint working across a range of research initiatives, including external funding investment.
• provide expert advice, support, and guidance across the HDRC through the management of the objectives set out in the HDRC Business Plan

We’re looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Colin Cox, HDRC Director and Director of Public Health, Customer and Community Wellbeing by email at colin.cox@cumberland.gov.uk

Click the link below to hear from Colin Cox, HDRC Director and Director of Public Health, Customer and Community Wellbeing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYJEsQh-VB4&pp=0gcJCY0JAYcqIYzv

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Armed forces veterans whose last long term substantive employer was the armed forces

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more.

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments
We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Employer and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Easily apply by submitting your CV and answering a few short questions.

Application and Interview information

• Closing date: 20 June
• Interview date: 3/4 July 2025

Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you’re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.

Please read the supporting information:

• Post Specification

Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council