Engagement Coordinator

Salary: £31,236 to £32,080 with progression to £34,610 per annum

Closing Date: 6 February 2026

The NIHR Innovation Observatory (IO) is a world‑leading health and care innovation horizon scanning research centre based at Newcastle University. Our work supports government agencies, industry, regulators, charities, and researchers by delivering timely, actionable insights that inform strategic decision‑making, policy development, investment guidance, funding programs and improve alignment across agencies. We work across the health, life sciences and wider care ecosystem to identify innovation, gaps and unmet needs, follow trends and signal potentially game‑changing innovations.

Our work fosters national and international collaboration supporting the growth of the UK health and life sciences sector, and is a beacon for cross‑sector, interdisciplinary training and capacity building in horizon scanning and foresight. We are at the forefront of developing approaches and people to identify and analyse emerging health and care technologies, ensuring the UK is prepared to leverage scientific breakthroughs that improve patient outcomes and support system readiness.

The Engagement Coordinator(s) will play a key supporting role within the Engagement team, enabling effective delivery of strategic partnership and stakeholder engagement activities across the Innovation Observatory. Working closely with the Strategic Partner Coordinator and the Communications and Marketing Manager and across our internal portfolio teams, the postholder will contribute to ensuring that engagement efforts are well‑organised, insight‑driven, and aligned with the organisation’s strategic objectives.

This is a hands‑on administrative role requiring excellent attention to detail, time management, and communication skills. The postholder(s) will take responsibility for maintaining and updating the organisation’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, ensuring data accuracy and supporting the tracking of engagement and relationship development. They will provide logistical and administrative support for the Innovation Observatory’s engagement related meetings, workshops, and events, including those hosted in partnership with our external partners.

The Engagement Coordinator(s) will also support financial processes related to partnership activities, including the processing of reimbursements (e.g. payments to public contributors and community organisations), and contribute to internal monitoring and reporting by collating and presenting engagement data.

The postholder(s) will work collaboratively across multiple teams and job families, acting as a key link in enabling cross‑sector engagement and ensuring that operational systems are functioning efficiently to support the organisation’s long‑term goals. The role will report to either the Communications and Marketing Manager or the Strategic Partner Manager.

The post is full time, fixed term until 31st March 2031.

To apply for this role, please submit a CV and covering letter with your application.

• With oversight from the Communications and Marketing Manager/Strategic Partner Manager, lead and coordinate all engagement activities across the Innovation Observatory, to enable high quality delivery
• Plan, organise and deliver all engagement events and activities (e.g. Public, Patient, Community and Industry involvement), including providing end‑to‑end logistical support e.g. sourcing venue arrangements, preparing presentation materials, technical support, attendee coordination and post event evaluation
• Manage and support internal and external communications across a broad network of partners to ensure consistent messaging, foster strong relationships and advance engagement priorities
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records within the CRM system, ensuring all strategic partner, stakeholder and wider ecosystem engagement activities and communications are consistently logged and monitored
• Record and track all engagement activities within the CRM to enhance strategic relationship management, enable data‑driven decision making and support long‑term…