Project Data and Insight lead – MSK

Salary:

£42,500 pa

Location:

Hybrid

Contract type:

Fixed Term

Department:

Membership and Sector Development

Position overview

ukactive is seeking a skilled and motivated Project Manager to lead the successful delivery of the Expanding Access to MSK Physical Activity Hubs in the Community programme. Delivered in partnership with, and funded by, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) Joint Work and Health Directorate (JWHD) this national programme aims to increase access to musculoskeletal (MSK) support through community-based physical activity services across England.

The programme will support the expansion of approximately 100 existing MSK Physical Activity intervention locations by increasing service capacity, enhancing workforce capability through targeted training and development, and raising awareness of available support through the creation and promotion of communication resources. Working closely with national and local partners, the Project Manager will oversee the coordination and delivery of programme activities, ensuring milestones, outputs, and outcomes are achieved effectively and efficiently.

A key component of the programme is the evaluation of participating MSK Physical Activity intervention locations, which will contribute to strengthening the evidence base for community-based physical activity interventions delivered by non-healthcare professionals. The programme will seek to demonstrate the impact of these services in improving access to support, enhancing health outcomes, and strengthening referral pathways between health and physical activity sectors.

General Main Duties

The Data and Insight Lead will provide strategic and operational leadership for data management, governance, and insight generation across the Expanding Access to MSK Physical Activity intervention locations in the Community programme. Working closely with the Programme and Project Managers, the postholder will establish and maintain robust data systems, standards, and governance frameworks to ensure accurate, consistent, and compliant data collection and integration across all sites. They will oversee the design of user-friendly data tools, ensure interoperability between partners, manage data sharing agreements in line with UK GDPR and NHS requirements, and drive high standards of data quality, consistency, and submission compliance.

As the programme’s data lead, the postholder will be responsible for performance reporting, insight generation, and supporting external evaluation, including producing reports for funders and consolidating multiple data sources into a coherent evidence base. Working collaboratively with leisure operators, healthcare partners and research stakeholders, they will provide guidance and training on data processes while embedding a culture of data-driven decision-making. The role will also identify opportunities to improve systems, reduce burden, and introduce innovation, playing a critical part in demonstrating impact, improving outcomes, and supporting the programme’s strategic aims.

Specific tasks and responsibilities

Data Governance, Compliance & Standards

Establish and maintain data governance frameworks, standards, and documentation
Ensure compliance with UK GDPR, data protection legislation, and NHS data-sharing requirements
Develop, implement, and manage data sharing agreements with key partners (e.g. ICSs, evaluation bodies)
Establish, implement, and enforce data quality standards and validation processes
Ensure interoperability between leisure operators, health systems, and evaluation partners

Data Collection Systems & Infrastructure

Oversee implementation of a minimum dataset across all MSK locations, including manual data collection processes
Design and develop user-friendly data capture tools and templates for public leisure operators
Manage rolling data collection and integration of key metrics from public leisure operators
Coordinate and consolidate multiple manually collected data sources into a unified dataset
Support innovation in data capture methods, including digital tools and automation
Identify and implement opportunities to improve data systems, reduce administrative burden, and enhance usability

Data Quality, Monitoring & Assurance

Ensure consistency and comparability of data across all sites through regular data quality assurance checks
Monitor data submission compliance and proactively address gaps or inconsistencies
Monitor and assess data quality to inform and improve ongoing data collection processes

Reporting, Insights & Evaluation Support

Develop and implement reporting frameworks and processes to support programme delivery
Produce quarterly reports for funders (e.g. JWHD)
Interpret data insights to inform programme delivery, including identifying opportunities for modification to improve outcomes
Support external evaluation partners (e.g. NIHR) with data access, structure, and readiness

Stakeholder Engagement, Leadership & Capacity Building

Act as the central data lead across the programme, ensuring alignment and coordination between all stakeholders
Collaborate closely with internal teams, including the Research Manager, Programme/Project Manager, and delivery team
Build and maintain effective working relationships with:
- Leisure operators and MSK Hub leads
- NHS and Integrated Care System (ICS) partners
- Department for Work and Pensions (local representatives)
- External evaluation and research partners
Provide guidance, training, and support to operators on data collection, reporting processes, and tools
Contribute to wider organisational (ukactive) data and insight strategy
Undertake additional duties and projects as required to support programme and organisational objectives

Essential skills

A Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree at 2:1 or above and demonstratable achievement at undergraduate level in relation to research and knowledge pertinent to the role.
A master’s in science (MSc) degree with a research or data-based topic area or demonstratable industry experience of this level of research
Proven experience as a data lead or in a similar role, with comfort and experience working with large and varied numerical data sets
Experience designing and implementing manual data collection systems and using data processing tools (e.g. excel) for the manipulation, organisation, and segmentation of large quantitative (numerical) data sets, in line with data protection regulations
Strong organisation skills, with ability to prioritise and balance demands
Strong stakeholder management abilities, with experience working with stakeholders and adapting research methodologies and frameworks to the needs of ‘on the ground’ project delivery
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights
Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
Ability to work in a multi-partner, fast-paced environment
High attention to detail and commitment to data quality

Desired skills

Experience and understanding of the health and/ or physical activity sectors
Experience working with NHS Data systems or public health data
Experience in supporting academic research or research evaluation partners

Organisational benefits

Why join ukactive

Join a progressive organisation and help shape the future of the UK’s physical activity sector — work that genuinely matters.
A newly defined role with the autonomy to own a patch end-to-end and visibility close to the leadership team.
Fully remote, with the choice to use the central London office for events and team days, and front-row access to PerformX, Elevate and FIBO.
A consultative, value-led environment — you’ll be backed to do sales properly, not pushed to sell hard.
Strong benefits: 5% matched pension, free gym membership, Private Health Care, 25 days holiday plus birthday and bank holidays.

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