"Theme Manager: Mental Health in Development"

Theme Manager: Mental Health in Development

Department of Experimental Psychology, Life and Mind Building, South Parks Road, Oxford

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic. The Oxford Centre for Emerging Minds Research is a newly funded research centre to conduct world class research that contributes to a world where differences between children and young people are understood and accepted, strengths are capitalised on, and mental health difficulties are prevented or addressed early in life

You will manage the Mental Health in Development theme within the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, supporting teams to build research capacity and develop effective mental health interventions for diverse children and young people.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

About the Role

The post is funded to 31 March 2028 and is based in the Department of Experimental Psychology, Life and Mind Building. The post is part time (60% FTE) and is available on a flexible hybrid basis. The minimum on-site time is 1 days working in the Oxford based office.

You will scope, plan and manage detailed project plans to ensure the effective delivery of key outcomes for the Mental Health in Development theme within the Oxford Health BRC. Working closely with senior theme leads, you will support colleagues to develop robust plans and budgets, identify emerging risks or changes in scope, and implement appropriate corrective actions. You will oversee the communications strategy and work with senior academic leads to identify improvements and shape future plans.

You will be responsible for the theme’s finances, ensuring accurate monitoring of expenditure, and you will lead the core support team, allocating responsibilities and providing line management for two part-time staff through coaching, mentoring and performance reviews. You will be the main operational contact for the theme, cultivating productive relationships with internal stakeholders, external partners and third-party suppliers. You will prepare reports for NIHR, and coordinate meetings across the theme, including large whole theme meetings and operational meetings. You will also contribute to wider BRC and University working groups.

About You

You will be educated to degree level or have equivalent experience, along with proven project management experience through the full lifecycle. You will demonstrate strong organisational and decision-making skills, a high level of attention to detail, and the ability to manage budgets and monitor financial activity.

With strong analytical skills, enabling you to interpret complex data and provide insights that support decision-making, you will have experience identifying and resolving problems proactively, both independently and collaboratively. You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders. You will also have experience mentoring and managing a small team, providing coaching and supporting development needs. Skills in planning and facilitating meetings both in person and online and an interest in young people’s mental health would be desirable.

Diversity

Committed to equality and valuing diversity. Our active Psychiatry People and Culture teams and initiatives including our values and behaviours framework, work to make the Department of Psychiatry as supportive, welcoming and inclusive as possible.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. Please see the University pages on the application process at https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/application-process

The closing date for applications is 30 January 2026. Interviews will take place on 13 February (afternoon) and will be in person.

Pay Scale: STANDARD GRADE 7

Salary: £39,424–£47,779

Vacancy ID: 184022