Research Engagement and Inclusion Managers

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Bristol is seeking two Research Engagement and Inclusion Managers to lead public engagement initiatives in health research. The successful candidates will work collaboratively with communities and stakeholders to ensure inclusive participation in research. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills, a postgraduate qualification, and experience in community engagement. This role offers a full-time position with a competitive salary ranging from £47,810 to £54,710 per annum.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Health and wellbeing support

Continuous professional development

Qualifications

• Experience in community engagement with underserved groups.
• Knowledge of UK Standards for Public Involvement and the Equality Act 2010.
• Ability to engage diverse communities and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Drive public engagement and inclusion in research.
• Build partnerships with communities and health systems.
• Evaluate impact and report on engagement activities.

Skills

Communication skills

Facilitation skills

Community engagement

Collaboration

Data analysis

Project management

Education

Postgraduate diploma

Project management qualification

Job description

Research Engagement and Inclusion Managers

Band 7

Main area Research Grade Band 7 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 387-TS7855-LMH

Site Whitefriars Town Bristol Salary £47,810 - £54,710 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 29/12/2025 23:59 Interview date 14/01/2026

As an organisation we recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

We are recruiting two passionate and strategic leaders to drive public engagement and inclusion in research. These roles offer a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact—working with diverse communities, health and social care partners, and national stakeholders to ensure research is accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for everyone.

The NIHR is the nation’s largest funder of health and care research, committed to improving the health and wealth of the nation through research. These roles sit within the South West Central Research Delivery Network and are hosted by UHBW.

We are looking for candidates with excellent communication, facilitation and engagement skills and who have experience of working in community engagement and with underserved groups. If you are motivated by collaboration, equity, and innovation, we would love to hear from you.

As Engagement and Inclusion Managers, you will:

• Lead initiatives that amplify public voices and embed inclusion in research delivery.
• Build strong partnerships with communities, researchers, and health systems.
• Contribute to national and regional strategies that shape the future of health and care research.

Applicants are welcome to express interest in one or both roles. Please indicate clearly in your application which role you are applying for, or if you wish to be considered for both positions. If you are interested in both, please indicate if you have a preference.

Main duties of the job

The Research Engagement and Inclusion Manager will drive public engagement and inclusion in the South West Central region, co-producing approaches with communities and members of the public. They will also lead on data collection and impact reporting.

The Regional Community Engagement and Inclusion Manager will act as a strategic lead for engagement and inclusion across the South West Central and South West Peninsula regions. They will work in partnership with a range of stakeholders including community groups, ICBs and NIHR partners to ensure a coordinated approach to public engagement and Research Inclusion.

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward-thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Research Engagement and Inclusion Manager

• Work with all relevant stakeholders to drive integration of public engagement and Research Inclusion initiatives across the region leading to an increase in involvement and participation in research amongst patients and the public across all settings and services.
• Manage a community of RDN Public Partners and assist them to seek out opportunities to champion the public voice across RDN services and be actively involved in RDN strategy development and delivery.
• Embed patient, carer and public involvement within the RRDN at all appropriate levels of decision making and support the NIHR to embed Research Inclusion learning frameworks across the RDN.
• Manage the delivery of the Participant in Research Experience Survey (PRES) including supporting delivery organisations, reporting on findings and developing improvement projects.
• Work with patients and the public, partners, researchers, health and social care staff, and communities to increase volunteer registrations to Join Dementia Research and Be Part of Research.
• Be responsible for the evaluation and reporting of Key Performance Indicators for engagement, Research Inclusion and PPIE activity within the RRDN to be used in relevant NIHR impact reports (such as the Research Inclusion Programme Board and NIHR Public Partnerships Board).

Regional Community Engagement and Inclusion Manager

• Work in partnership with a range of internal and external stakeholders within the region (e.g. community groups, ICBs, other NIHR partners, patients and the public etc.) to ensure a coordinated approach to public engagement and Research Inclusion.
• Contribute to NHSE-led community engagement initiatives across the South West Central and South West Peninsula regions to increase participation in research.
• Actively support national and regional initiatives to increase engagement with Be Part of Research (BPoR) and Join Dementia Research.
• Responsible for the evaluation and reporting of Key Performance Indicators for Engagement, public engagement and Research Inclusion activity to be used in relevant NIHR impact reports (such as Research Inclusion Programme Board and NIHR Public Partnerships Board).
• Assist RDN Public Partners to seek out opportunities to champion the public voice across RDN/NHSE services and be actively involved in contributing towards RDN strategy development and delivery.
• Provide key intelligence to assist in meaningful and valued engagement with under-served communities and marginalised populations through strategic level stakeholder engagement and mapping, contributing insights to actively avoid duplication and optimise continuous improvement and prioritisation of services.

For more detail about the main duties of these roles, please see the job descriptions attached.

Person specification

Regional Community Engagement and Inclusion Manager Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of implementing the UK Standards for Public Involvement in projects and programmes and familiarisation with key principles and the value of public involvement and engagement within health and social care
• In-depth understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and challenges related to equality, diversity and inclusion across the health and care research landscape
• Experience of managing and delivering patient and public led engagement opportunities at a local and national level (including local events, online workshops and consultations)

Regional Community Engagement and Inclusion Manager Skills and Abilities

• Ability to coordinate, collect and analyse a range of qualitative and quantitative data, identifying areas of concern, production of reports and solution-based recommendations
• A proven ability to build, maintain and develop effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across health and social care settings, community-based organisations and VSCOs, including subject matter experts

Regional Community Engagement and Inclusion Manager Qualifications and Education

• Postgraduate diploma or equivalent specialist experience in disciplines relevant to post
• Project management qualification or demonstrable experience of managing projects at the regional level

Regional Community Engagement and Inclusion Manager Aptitudes

• Lives by values which include openness, collaboration, responsiveness, inclusion, personal integrity and creating positive cultures where these values thrive
• Enthusiastic and motivated with the ability to influence others
• Ability to support an effective network of relationships with people across organisations with diverse roles and perspectives
• Self-awareness with regard to emotional intelligence, biases and sensitivities and a commitment to continuous improvement and self-development
• Ability to act as a champion for people, communities and participants, ensuring that their voice has a meaningful and tangible impact on RDN activities
• Calm, resilient and adopting a professional manner whilst working across complex boundaries and issues
• Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do with attention to detail
• Confidence in communication with a variety of stakeholders and audiences at different levels with the ability to manage difficult conversations and de‑escalation of potential conflicts where necessary

Research Engagement and Inclusion Manager Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of implementing the UK Standards for Public Involvement in projects and programmes and familiarisation with key principles and the value of public engagement and involvement within health and social care
• Knowledge of regional health and care systems and processes, including the voluntary and charity sector, local government and Integrated Care Boards/Services
• Experience in line managing staff and supervising volunteers and public contributors
• In-depth understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and challenges related to equality, diversity and inclusion across the health and care research landscape
• Experience of managing and delivering patient and public‑led involvement and engagement opportunities (including engagement events, online workshops and consultations)

Research Engagement and Inclusion Manager Skills and Abilities

• Project management skills and expertise in using a wide range of consultation and facilitation methods, knowledge of public engagement methodology, inclusive management of members of the public and communities, including those classed as under‑served by health and care research
• Ability to coordinate, collect and analyse a range of qualitative and quantitative data, identifying areas of concern, production of reports and solution‑based recommendations
• A proven ability to build, maintain and develop effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across health and social care settings, community-based organisations and VSCOs, including subject matter experts
• Ability to support an effective network of relationships with people across organisations with diverse roles and perspectives
• Ability to co‑design opportunities and projects with communities and participants, which ensure that their voice has a meaningful and tangible impact on RDN activities

Research Engagement and Inclusion Manager Qualifications and Education

• Postgraduate qualification (e.g. Postgraduate Diploma) or equivalent specialist experience in disciplines relevant to post
• Project management qualification or demonstrable experience of managing projects at the regional level

Research Engagement and Inclusion Manager Aptitudes

• Lives by values which include openness, collaboration, responsiveness, inclusion, personal Integrity and creating positive cultures where these values thrive
• Enthusiastic and motivated with the ability to influence others
• Self-awareness with regard to emotional intelligence, biases and sensitivities and a commitment to continuous improvement and self-development
• Calm, resilient and adopting a professional manner whilst working across complex boundaries and issues
• Commitment to and focused on quality, promotes high standards in all they do with attention to detail
• Confidence in communication with a variety of stakeholders and audiences at different levels with the ability to manage difficult conversations and de‑escalation of potential conflicts where necessary

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

IMPORTANT: Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore, please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work‑related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Name Tamsin Pearce Job title Research Engagement & Inclusion Senior Manager Email address [e-mail]

If you have problems applying, contact

Address People & Transformation Division
North Bristol NHS Trust
Southmead Hospital
BS10 5NB
Telephone [phone]