Inclusion Programmes Lead

Salary for this Role:

From £60,000 per annum with benefits, subject to skills and experience

Job Title:
Inclusion Programmes Lead

Reports to:
Louise Gillic

Closing Date:
22/Nov/2026 23.59 GMT

Job Description:

Inclusion Programmes Lead (2-Year Fixed-Term Contract)

Reports to: EDI Lea d

This is a full-time, 2-year fixed-term, full-time position on Crick terms and conditions of employment

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.

The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

About the role

The Francis Crick Institute is entering an exciting new phase in its inclusion journey, and we’re looking for a strategic, forward-thinking leader to help shape what comes next. Working alongside the EDI Lead, you’ll play a pivotal part in helping lead the next phase of the Crick’s Inclusion Strategy, exploring innovative approaches that strengthen inclusion, research culture and scientific leadership. This is an opportunity to turn ambitious ideas into meaningful initiatives that create lasting impact across the Institute and the wider scientific community.

You’ll explore and develop new flagship inclusion initiatives and Beacon Activities, review the inclusive leadership landscape, build external partnerships and identify opportunities to support more women into senior scientific leadership. You’ll work collaboratively with colleagues and external stakeholders to develop new programmes, commission research, test innovative approaches and establish robust evaluation methods. From developing compelling business cases and future funding propositions to representing the Crick externally and contributing to sector-wide initiatives, you’ll help translate emerging opportunities into practical, impactful programmes.

We’re looking for someone with significant experience of successfully delivering strategic EDI initiatives, a strong track record in programme leadership and partnership development, and the ability to influence stakeholders across complex organisations. You’ll combine strategic vision with a practical, evidence-led approach, bringing excellent communication and facilitation skills and the confidence to navigate ambiguity, challenge existing thinking and develop new ideas. Experience within biomedical research, higher education or research culture would be particularly valuable. If you’re excited by the opportunity to shape a developing strategic agenda and help drive meaningful change in inclusion and scientific leadership, we’d love to hear from you.

What you will be doing

Immediate priorities

- Lead exploratory and development work for new high-profile and outward facing EDI-led activity;
- Undertake an external landscape, partnerships and networks reviews;
- Scope and develop activity relating to women into senior scientific leadership; support development of the outreach and external community programme;
- Develop business cases and future funding propositions; establish evaluation approaches for new programmes.

Other key responsibilities will include:

- Design and development of new inclusion programmes;
- Develop project plans and business and philanthropic cases;
- Undertake horizon scanning and benchmarking; build strategic partnerships;
- Develop and evaluate pilot programmes;
- Commission and coordinate research and evaluation;
- Represent the Crick externally;
- Support Executive and Board papers;
- Contribute to EDIS and wider sector activity.

See the full job description here.

About you

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, imaginative, open, dynamic and collegial, in addition to the following:

- Experience in strategic planning; *
- Experience in programme leadership; *
- Experience in partnership development; *
- Stakeholder engagement;
- Experience in research and evaluation *
- Excellent written and verbal communication;
- Influence and facilitation skills;
- Experience working in complex organisations;
- Ability to work with ambiguity and develop new ideas;
- Understanding of the biomedical research, higher education or research culture landscape.
- Significant experience successfully delivering strategic EDI activity and outcomes

*Minimum requirements

About Working at the Crick

Our values

Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture!

- We are  bold . We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently.

- We are  open . We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world.

- We are  collegial . We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences.

We are a  Disability Confident: Committed  employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: [email protected] .

Find out more about life at the Crick.

What will you receive?

At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:

- Generous Leave : 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.

- Pension Scheme : Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.

- Health & Well-being :

- 24/7 GP consultation services.

- Occupational health services and mental health support programs.

- Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.

- Work-Life Balance :

- Back-up care for dependents.

- Childcare support allowance.

- Annual leave purchase options.
- Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.

- Perks :

- Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.

- Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.