Research Manager
A great opportunity to help shape what Phoenix studies, how we study it and how evidence is used to improve services, inform external influence and strengthen our contribution to national and international research partnerships.

Service Area: Central Support Functions
Location: Home Based
Status: Full-time
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £35,500 Total Salary Pro-Rata
Closing Date: 03/12/2026
Vacancy Reference Number: 4479

The Research Manager will strengthen Phoenix Futures' ability to understand, evidence and improve the impact of our work. The postholder will lead the development and coordination of a focused research and evaluation programme aligned with our purpose, strategy and commitment to improving outcomes for people affected by substance use and related challenges.

Working across services, central teams and external research partners, the Research Manager will identify where research can add the greatest value, coordinate projects from planning through to dissemination, and make sure findings become practical learning for staff, leaders, commissioners and people who use our services.

This role combines research coordination, partnership development and knowledge mobilisation. It requires sound judgement about methodology, ethics, data protection, safeguarding and operational feasibility, alongside the ability to make complex evidence clear and useful.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a prioritised research and evaluation plan: Work with operational, clinical, quality, data and leadership teams to identify priority research questions and evidence gaps, and develop an annual plan that supports Phoenix's strategic objectives and improves outcomes for people who use our services.
• Build and manage research partnerships: Develop and maintain productive relationships with universities, research bodies, sector partners and funders to create mutually beneficial opportunities for research, evaluation and knowledge exchange.
• Coordinate research projects from planning to delivery: Support the design, planning and delivery of research projects, including defining objectives, scope, methodology, timelines, roles, risks and resource requirements.
• Ensure ethical, inclusive and compliant research practice: Ensure research activity is delivered in line with internal policies, ethical standards, safeguarding responsibilities, data protection requirements and any external approvals required. Promote inclusive, trauma-informed and anti-stigma approaches to research, including meaningful involvement of people with lived and living experience where appropriate.
• Support high-quality data collection and management: Oversee proportionate systems for collecting, storing, managing and sharing research data, ensuring that data is accurate, secure, accessible and used appropriately to support learning and improvement.
• Facilitate collaboration across Phoenix: Act as a central point of coordination between researchers, services, people who use services, clinicians, quality teams, data colleagues and senior leaders, ensuring that research activity is well communicated and operationally realistic.
• Translate research into practical learning: Produce clear, accessible summaries, briefings and presentations that help staff, leaders, commissioners and partners understand research findings and apply learning to policy, practice, service development and external influencing.
• Manage research logistics and resources: Coordinate practical arrangements for research activity, including participant recruitment processes, service engagement, scheduling, communications, project documentation, budget monitoring and reporting.
• Coordinate conference and network engagement: Coordinate Phoenix's representation at relevant conferences and networks, including EWODOR and EFTC, supporting abstract submissions, presentations, attendance planning, learning capture and dissemination across the organisation.

Application deadline: 03/12/2026.