Programme Manager – Research Partnerships
Description
Title: Programme Manager – Research Partnerships
Reports to: Head of Research
Contract type: 3-year Fixed Term Contract
Hours: Full-time 35hrs pw - Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm
Location: The Society operates a hybrid working model with a combination of remote and in-person (Dublin 4 office) working
Office Days: Office attendance days are Wednesday & Thursday
Cover letter: Required. Which should be strictly not more than 1 page:
Please give examples of your specific experience that demonstrates your ability to manage multidisciplinary research and clinical partnerships, and why this role it interests you. Give your salary expectations, expressed as a realistic range
Applications that do not include this information may not be reviewed.
Who we are
Every three minutes, someone in Ireland hears the words ‘You’ve got cancer’. At the Irish Cancer Society, we understand the physical, emotional and financial impact a cancer diagnosis brings. And we are determined to do everything we can to help.
As Ireland’s leading cancer charity, we work across every area of cancer – from prevention and early detection, through to end-of-life care. We make a positive impact for people affected by cancer every day: investing in life-saving and life-changing research; providing practical, financial and emotional supports; and driving improvements in public cancer services.
What you’ll do:
As a Programme Manager – Research Partnerships, you will lead out on the management of multidisciplinary strategic research and clinical focused partnerships. Your role will be to work cross organisationally coordinating research projects and clinical partnership activities across multiple departments. You will lead out on supporting researchers and clinical staff working externally across Society funded strategic projects to ensure project KPIs are developed and partnership reporting met in a timely manner.
You will regularly liaise with and support the Strategic Programme Management Office (PMO), to ensure project and change management practices are embedded across all research projects and clinical partnerships. You will lead the internal collation of reporting in relational to research and clinical projects and partnerships across teams and functions. This will involve consolidating project insights to provide accurate, timely, and insightful updates for presentation to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) under the guidance of the Head of Research and Head of PMO.
Research Project Management
Lead out on the end-to-end delivery of strategic research and clinical-based projects and partnerships
Collaborate with the Society’s PMO function to ensure project management approaches for research and clinical projects are consistent with all other Irish Cancer Society strategic projects.
Work with the PMO to utilise project management tools and resources, including the use of project management software where relevant.
Support researchers and clinical staff to develop realistic and understandable annual project plans and deliverables.
Work with internal staff, external researchers and clinical staff working across research partnerships to develop a governance framework for each project and partnership.
Track and monitor research and clinical project delivery against plan, using clear reporting tools, and manage project delivery and the project team.
Identify and manage project risks, identifying mitigation opportunities and escalating as appropriate.
Close out projects successfully, including developing lessons learned and ensuring ongoing benefits tracking.
Stakeholder & relationship management
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, external research and clinical partners, and beneficiaries to promote collaboration and successful project delivery.
Provide regular status updates on the Society research projects and partnerships to the relevant internal departments and the Executive Leadership Team.
Hold regular meetings and discussion forums with external researchers and clinical staff according to the project and partnership governance framework.
Ensure Patient Partnership is central to research and clinical projects and partnerships.
Impact
Work with internal and external teams to ensure research projects and partnerships are underpinned by a clear and deliverable impact plan.
Work with internal and external communications, branding and marketing teams to develop and implement annual project communications plans and KPI’s.
Ensure patient partnership is embedded where relevant across research project and partnerships impact and communication activities.
Be familiar with relevant international (including European) cancer research and care developments and their implications for Ireland.
Who you are
Independent:you will have the ability to work on your own initiative and be the Society’s lead in driving forward progress across projects and partnerships.
A people person:You will have excellent stakeholder management and people skills. You’ll have an ability to bring together and inspire a range of people of different levels, skills and backgrounds to achieve great things together. You build strong trusted relationships.
A problem solver:You enjoy figuring things out, finding solutions and working around and through issues. You’re able to identify and articulate risks and challenges, identify solutions and problem solve. You’re highly organised, logical, and clear thinking.
Good decision making and negotiation skills: you have the ability to make decisions using good judgement and reasoning, as well as experience with negotiating difficult situations.
A great communicator:You have excellent communication skills, whether talking to a team, delivering a presentation, or writing reports or updates. You produce high quality and engaging communications.
Patient and user centric:You always keep people affected by cancer at the front of mind; you can walk in the shoes of others, consider their needs and understand their experience.
Technology savvy:you will have a high level of proficiency in technology tools, understand the benefits that technology can bring and can see opportunities for technology led enhancements.
Your qualifications and experience
Educated to PhD level or equivalent in health-based research*
Have > 3 years practical experience managing complex research and clinical projects . The Society measures experience based on the quality of the experience obtained, rather than in time passed and welcomes applicants at all stages of their career.
Demonstrated hands on experience in project management.
Excellent knowledge of cancer research and the clinical environment in Ireland.
Proven track record in embedding Public & Patient Partnership and Impact across cancer research projects.
Passionate about project and change management, and able to translate that passion to others.
PhD equivalence is defined as three or more senior (first, joint-first, or last) author publications in peer-reviewed academic journals or 4 years’ full-time research experience post-primary degree
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for this position, please send curriculum vitae and cover letter to Amanda at recruitment@irishcancer.ie
The closing date for applications is 5pm 30th January 2026
Please note all CVs are logged through a third-party system for processing
The Irish Cancer Society is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. We know that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
WE DO NOT REQUIRE THE ASSISTANCE OF AGENCIES
Some of our benefits:
23 days Annual Leave a year or Pro Rata equivalent, plus public holidays, Good Friday and Christmas Eve (if it falls on a working day)
Service Days - Additional days awarded to reflect long service with the Society.
Sick Pay Scheme (following Probationary period)
Flexitime
Defined Contribution Pension Scheme - new starters will join the pension from the date of commencement of employment with the Society. The current contribution rate ranges from a contribution of 3%, 5% or a maximum of 8% of basic salary.
Group membership for VHI and HSF (health plans)
Bus/Rail Ticket Scheme and Cycle to Work Scheme
Death In Service Benefit (from commencement of employment)
Paid Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive, Force Majeure and compassionate Leave)
Learning and Development Programmes
Educational Assistance (Study and Examination Leave)
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Optional Flu vaccine provided