Job vacancy: Research Programme Manager, Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, Maidstone

Job summary

Main area: Research & Innovation
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref: 380-SS0764

Employer: Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Maidstone
Town: Maidstone
Salary: £55,690 - £62,682 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 09/03/2026 23:59

Research Programme Manager

NHS AfC: Band 8a

We are the Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. We offer a range of ongoing benefits to our valued workforce. From an active health and wellbeing programme to regular recognition events, we work hard to provide varied benefits that make a difference to your work-life balance.

Here are some clips of our Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust staff, speaking about their role and why they enjoy working for us

Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you.

Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement.

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Oversee the start-up of new research programmes, establishing suitable infrastructure, partnerships, and resources are in place.
Monitor progress of ongoing programmes, identifying risks and mitigating barriers to delivery

Please refer to the attached job description for the full details on the responsibilities and person specification

We are serious about diversity and inclusion, and we are working hard to build this into our DNA. We warmly welcome applications for any of our roles from people from diverse backgrounds, and we are proactively encouraging applications from under-represented communities for our more senior roles, like this one.

The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

Person specification

Training, Qualifications and Registration

Essential criteria

Educated to Degree level or equivalent relevant experience with high levels of literacy and numeracy
Evidence of continual professional development

Desirable criteria

PhD in health, life sciences, or related field

Experience

Essential criteria

Significant experience of research management and development within the NHS or academic sector
Experience of managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects or programmes
Experience of working with senior academics, clinicians, and external partners

Desirable criteria

Experience in an NHS setting
Experience in supporting early career researchers or research capacity-building initiatives

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria

In-depth knowledge of research governance, funding processes, and ethical approvals
Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills
Strong knowledge of challenges in developing research programmes across clinical and academic institutions

Desirable criteria

None

Important Information:

In cases where we receive a high volume of applications for a post, it may be necessary to bring the closing date forward. Please submit your completed application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Due to the high volume of applications received, it is not possible to respond individually to your application. Should you not hear from us within six weeks of the vacancy closing, please assume that your application has not been successful.

Probation Period. New employees external to the trust are subject to a six-month probationary period.

To deliver an effective service it is essential in some of our roles that you are able to travel between work bases in a timely manner.

Production of false or forged documents/qualifications in order to obtain employment is a criminal offence and will be reported to the Police.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
Certain roles are subject to criminal record checks called Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. Therefore, you will be required to submit a completed Disclosure form to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust are signed up to NHS England's Sexual Safety in Health Care Organisational Charter

The trust takes a systematic zero-tolerance approach to tackle any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours within the workplace and in our care provision. We are committed to sexual safety which encompasses prevention, support and decisive action against perpetrators. We are committed to keeping you and our patients safe.

Use of AI when writing job applications

While AI tools can be helpful in generating ideas and drafting initial versions, they should never be the sole source for writing your job application.

AI cannot truly understand the specific job you're applying for or what makes you a good fit. Therefore, it's crucial to personalise any AI-generated content to accurately reflect your skills, experiences, and aspirations.

Relying solely on AI to write your application may result in generic, impersonal, and potentially inaccurate content. Always review and refine any AI-generated text to ensure it effectively communicates your experience, skills, accomplishments, and aspirations, and demonstrates your suitability for the position.

Mindful employer. Being positive about mental health.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name: Magdalena Chambers
Job title: PA to Director of Research & Innovation
Email address: [email protected]
Telephone number: 07721 686 269

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Job summary

Employer heading

Research Programme Manager

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Job overview

Main duties of the job

Working for our organisation

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Person specification

Training, Qualifications and Registration

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Experience

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Important Information:

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

Documents to download

Further details / informal visits contact

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