Available Positions
Director of the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine
The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine
The Lister Institute is a prestigious medical research funding charity that was established in 1891. Its aim is to nurture the future leaders in biomedical research. It awards Prize Fellowships to talented young researchers in the UK and Ireland. Researchers apply for our prizes and are subject to a rigorous selection process run by our Scientific Committee. There is a strong sense of fellowship amongst our fellows nurtured in part through our Annual Meeting to which all fellows current and former are invited. The institute is run by a team of three staff – Director, Operations Manager and Accountant who all work from home. They are overseen by the charity’s Trustees who are responsible for the overall running and governance of the charity. The Institute is funded through investments which are managed by two investment manager companies who are overseen by our Finance and Investment Committee.
The Opportunity
An opportunity has arisen to appoint a new Director to start September 2025. This role requires the individual to be flexible. It is nominally a one day a week job working from home although the number of hours required is very variable throughout the year. The role has an annual cycle and there are periods when significantly more time is required and periods when less is needed. This is not a typical Director role as the individual is required act at a very senior level and, at the same time, as there are only three members of staff, they also need to contribute to the day-to-day tasks for the organisation, as required. This is particularly so in relation to research management, and organisational governance.
Essential attributes/criteria:
A degree in the life/health/biomedical sciences and possession of a Masters or PhD.
A background in science funding or experience of deep engagement in the UK Science funding system in another role.
Past experience encompassed in life/health/biomedical science field(s).
Experience of having responsibility for and handling a significant budget (annual recurrent spend c£2.1m, investments >£40m).
Leadership and team building experience; able, if necessary, to chair meetings, whilst able also to work individually and independently.
Strong track record in organisation, task hierarchy management, task management and delivery.
Strategic approach to all aspects of work.
Commitment to the principles of strong governance.
Strong track record in communication with stakeholders (in this position those will include: Governors/Trustees, Chair, Scientific Committee Chair, and particularly, scientists and clinicians of a range of seniority.
Experience of working with and supporting a board or trustees
Demonstrated ability and willingness to work at all levels both as the leader of an organisation and to undertake operational tasks
Ability to work flexibly through the yearly funding cycle:
Flexibility to travel and attend meetings as required – being based in the UK is essential (and in Southern England is preferred as the majority of formal face to face meetings currently take place in Oxford or London and the other staff are in the south so face to face meetings with staff are easy to arrange when needed.)
Travel in the UK and Ireland to visit Universities and research Institutes, on occasions requiring overnight stays. (mostly in the spring and early summer) More detailed information on the meeting cycle and travel requirements is available on request.
Desirable attributes/criteria:
Past experience in other areas of STEM subjects, but with core activity in Biomedical field(s).
Understanding of the research interface with the NHS.
Understanding of the UKs charitable sector.
Salary.
The salary for this position (~0.2FTE) is between £35-40K depending on experience and seniority and, whilst high as a FTE equivalent, reflects the requirement for the post-holder to adopt a professional approach to work flexibly, intensively at times and occasionally necessitating long distance UK/Irish travel and overnight stays associated with University visits.
Applications
Applications must be sent by email to jobs@lister-institute.org.uk
Please apply with a letter of application and a CV.
The letter should comprise a single side of A4. Candidates should address why they are interested in the role and what they might bring to it whilst providing evidence of how they address the essential (and where relevant desirable) criteria for the application. .
In addition, a two side of A4 CV should be submitted including the names of two referees. If in employment, it is expected that at least one referee should be from your current employer.
Feedback will only be given to those called for interview.
Closing date for applications is Monday 18th of November
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 26th of November
Responsibilities of the Director (Secretary to the Governing Body) The Director of the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine is responsible for the overall operation, governance and management of the Institute, ensuring compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements under the oversight of the Trustees.
Area of Activity
Requirements
Governing Body
Responsibilities
– Work with Chairman and Trustees on strategy, policy issues, budgetary matters and governance to ensure delivery of the Institute’s objectives
-Ensure timely meetings of Governing Body, preparation of Agenda and all necessary papers, prepare the subsequent minutes and ensure implementation of all decisions
Operations/Administration
Responsibilities
– Ensure that the management framework of the Institute implements the decisions of the Governing Body, the achievement of objectives and monitoring of performance
– Ensure that the Operations Manager and Accountant work effectively to deliver the Institute’s objectives
– Ensure that all external contracts are appropriately selected, appointed and their services monitored
– Ensure that all systems and process used are well maintained, secure and efficient. Ensure improvements are constantly sought.
Finance and Investment Committee (FIC)
Responsibilities
– Ensure timely meetings of FIC (with investment advisors) and work with Chairman of FIC in preparation of Agenda and papers,
– Budgets and Expenditure
– oversee preparation of annual budget and cash-flow forecasts and submission to FIC and Governing Body.
– Oversee preparation of quarterly management accounts, monitor expenditure against budget
– Investments
– work with FIC to monitor performance of investment advisors; interact with investment advisors as necessary including the draw-down of funds and compliance with regulatory requirements,
– Ensure regular review of Investment Policy Statements
– Audit and Formal Reporting
– oversee arrangement for audit and preparation of appropriate accounts, liaise as necessary with auditors.
– Ensure timely writing, preparation and printing of Annual Report and Financial Statements (in liaison with the auditors as appropriate)
Prize Applications and Scientific Committee
Responsibilities
– Oversee all aspects of Prize Fellowship Awards including advertising, dealing with application queries, review and selection processes.
– Work with Chairman to determine most appropriate allocation of applications between committee members, review and scoring procedures and selection of candidates for interview.
– Ensure that the grant application and management system operates smoothly and well
-Ensure timely meetings of Scientific Committee, preparation of Agenda and papers together with arrangements for interview of candidates. (with Chairman)
– Oversee arrangements for Summer Studentship scheme including allocation
– Ensure appropriate turn over of membership in compliance with AMRC guidelines working with the Chair to appoint new members with appropriate expertise
– Build and maintain excellent relationships with members of the Scientific Committee
Fellows and Fellowship Activities
Responsibilities
– Build and maintain good relationships with the fellows throughout the period of their Prize
– Liaise with Fellows as necessary and ensure submission of annual and final reports, visit Fellows as required
– Oversee arrangements for Annual Fellows’ Meeting including selection of speakers etc
– Arrange necessary ‘presentation ceremonies’ at host institutions (with Chairman)
– Ensure the website has up-to-date information of Fellows’ careers etc
Intellectual Property
Responsibilities
– liaise with Fellows and host institutions to ensure that opportunities for IP protection and exploitation are not lost.
Governance
Responsibilities
– Ensure Articles of Association are kept under review, Register of Interests maintained, Risk Register is maintained, relevant policies are written and maintained and timely reports made to Charity Commission and Companies House.
– Ensure terms of office of Trustees monitored and procedures for regular rotation of Trustees in place
– Work with the Chairman on management of the membership to the Governing Body ensuring appropriate diversity
– Ensure terms of office of Scientific Committee is monitored and procedures for regular rotation of members in place
– Work with the Chairman on management of the membership to the Scientific Committee ensuring appropriate expertise and diversity
– Ensure AGM conducted appropriately and the agenda and papers are prepared and issued in a timely manner
– Ensure the Charity maintains an appropriate suite of policies and reviews and updates them on a regular basis
Communications and Marketing
Responsibilities
– Ensure maintenance of the Institute’s reputation within the UK and research charity sector
– oversee promotion of Institute’s activities, maintain relationships with appropriate bodies – oversee maintenance and regular updating of website – Oversee relevant any social media and other relevant communications channels as appropriate
Personnel
Responsibilities
-Ensure staff have appropriate contracts, where necessary arrange renewal and review of salaries (with Hon Treasurer)
-Ensure Pensions are reviewed appropriately (with Hon Treasurer)
-Ensure Institute complies with all relevant employment legislation and where necessary has appropriate policies in place
– Ensure staff (and self) have appropriate training especially in areas such as cyber-security
External relationships
and profile
Responsibilities
– Build a support network of Directors/CEOs and Research Directors / Managers in other medical research funders through AMRC or other organisations to help support and advise you in your role and raise the profile of the Lister Institute
Personal
Responsibilities
– At all times, promote the values, high standards and policies of the Lister Institute through personal behaviour
Contact Lister
If you are interested in any of the positions listed please
send applications to jobs@lister-institute.org.uk