Director – UK Trusted and Connected & Data Analytics Research Environments (DARE UK), MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

Salary: £165,000 - £175,000 per annum before pro-rating

Location: Flexible. Primary base could be anywhere in the UK but must be willing and able to travel to London and elsewhere (mainly UK) in connection with the role.

Reporting To: DARE UK Programme Board.

Hours: Full Time.

Contract: Concluding 31 March 2027.

Secondment: The successful applicant will join HDR UK as their employer, while spending the majority of their time (0.9 FTE) seconded to UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC). This unique arrangement offers the best of both worlds: you’ll enjoy HDR UK’s supportive employment terms and conditions, while being embedded within the MRC to collaborate closely with leading stakeholders with the weight and backing of UKRI behind you.

Closing Date: 18 January 2026.

About the role

We are seeking an exceptional individual to lead the second phase of the DARE‑UK programme. This role will deliver the three key work programmes of Phase 2:

• Transformational Programmes: Building new capabilities to support sensitive data research across the UK, supporting the testing and adoption of these capabilities, and demonstrating real‑world scientific impact using these capabilities.
• Next‑Generation Proof of Concepts: Developing prototypes of next‑generation capabilities needed to enable future innovative sensitive data research.
• Community Building, Engagement and Standards: Supporting a vibrant community of stakeholders. Through collaboration, the programme will promote information sharing and consensus building around common standards and good practice.

About you

• Lead, persuade, and inspire teams and diverse stakeholders around a shared vision for TREs across the UK.
• Engage widely to identify opportunities for expanding DARE UK across the UKRI remit.
• Proven ability to design and deliver large‑scale programmes at pace (community, software, infrastructure, R&D).
• Track record in delivering complex, user‑focused software and infrastructure with attention to ethics and public trust.
• Strong knowledge of secure data infrastructures for research (security, privacy, cybersecurity, storage, analytics, standards).
• Experienced in working with Executives, Boards, and senior stakeholders across academia, industry, policy, and government.
• Effective leader of multidisciplinary teams, using a coaching, supportive, and visionary management style.
• Skilled in building credibility and strong relationships with cross‑functional partners in industry, NHS, academia, charities, and government.
• Deep expertise in Trusted Research Environments (TREs).

Summary of Benefits

• 27 days annual leave plus 8 days for Bank Holidays
• Annual leave purchase scheme
• Medical Cash‑Plan and Doctorline
• Wellbeing support, including access to the TogetherAll app
• Generous pension scheme, with 10% employer contributions

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Other

Industries

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Biotechnology Research, and Nanotechnology Research