Research Engagement Manager

Alzheimer s Research UK (ARUK) is the UK s leading dementia research charity dedicated to diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure. Backed by our passionate scientists and supporters, we re challenging the way people think about dementia, bringing together the people and organisations who can speed up progress, and investing in research to strive for a cure.

We re looking for someone with strong communication skills who is excited by the opportunity to engage with dementia researchers and raise the profile of our research programmes, funding opportunities and events within the research community. This role sits within the Research Directorate, an ambitious, supportive and friendly team, working closely with the Science Communications team and across the wider organisation, to ensure that we are communicating how we are transforming the lives of people affected by all forms of dementia.

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

Research engagement strategy

Develop and implement a comprehensive research communications and engagement strategy to build our relationship and position with the UK dementia research community.

Lead cross-functional projects to build our reach and engagement, developing communication plans to engage our research partners to increase our reach to research focussed audiences.

Oversee the project management of the strategy, including setting objectives, monitoring progress, and evaluating outcomes.

Identify key opportunities to enhance the visibility and impact of our research through strategic partnerships and digital platforms.

Track and analyse the effectiveness of communications strategies, using metrics to inform continuous improvement.

With the Senior Research Manager, identify new opportunities to engage with and support our funded researchers.

Researcher-facing communications

Manage and deliver the production of high-quality communication and engagement material to our research audiences to engage the wider research community and disseminate information about our funding opportunities, conference and other key programmes such as ECR and research culture pieces.

Lead on the redevelopment of the researcher-facing website structure, pages and content, to ensure that information about ARUK, funding opportunities, and our strategic programmes are communicated in an engaging way to the dementia research community

Work with the Senior Science Communications Officer to ensure all researcher-facing materials meet comms best-practice and wider comms plans are developed and supported for launch

Support the Senior Science Communications officer to deliver research-related public-facing web pages and trade press

Conference and key research programmes

Lead on the cross-organisational researcher-facing communications activities for the ARUK Conference, supporting the Senior Science Communications Officer to develop and deliver a media and PR plan.

Support the Senior Research Manager to develop an engaging scientific programme for the conference, using insights and knowledge from the dementia community

Support the cross-organisational Conference steering group to deliver and communicate development plans and related events.

What we are looking for:

A degree in relevant biomedical science or equivalent experience

Experience of working in a research environment and an excellent understanding of the experiences and needs of researchers.

Strong communication skills with the ability communicate effectively and influence a wide range of stakeholders

Strong project management skills, with experience managing multiple priorities, overseeing budgets and identifying risks

A team player who can collaborate effectively with a range of stakeholders internally and externally to deliver

Commitment to ARUK s vision, mission and values

Excellent presentation, written and verbal communication skills.

Excellent eye for detail with a focus on continuous improvement

Willingness to embrace and drive change to maximise impact

Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise competing demands

Ability to work independently

Willingness to travel, including occasional overnight travel

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals. This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD.

Salary: Circa £43,000 per annum, plus benefits.

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 1st December 2024, with interviews likely to be held on the 10th & 11th December 2024. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

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.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website.

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer s Research UK: 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 trials that 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.

In 2022, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises World Class levels of workplace engagement and were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

• 48th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

• 19th in the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

• 3rd in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

In addition, we were also shortlisted for a special award recognising the work undertaken on reducing our environmental impact.

In 2021, we were awarded the HR Management award by The Charity Times for our Wellbeing initiatives throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, we demonstrated our commitment to changing the way we think and act about mental health in the workplace and signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge.

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference.

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer s Research UK