Overview
Head of Research Delivery and Support for Out of Hospital Settings – Part-time job share with up to 22.5 hours per week across Monday to Friday, with Friday cover required and some flexibility on other days.
The closing date is 22 July 2026
An exciting opportunity to join the East Midlands RRDN leadership team, providing senior leadership for strategic oversight, deployment and delivery capabilities of the RRDN’s Agile Research Delivery Team. The role leads a multi-professional team to deliver NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) Portfolio studies across diverse settings and supports wider care settings as required by regional need. The post reports to the Operations Director and works closely with the ARDT Senior Manager.
Main duties
The role will work alongside the Head of Partner Liaison and Planning to co-lead the Study Support Service Team with a focus on out of hospital settings.
Contributes to the NIHR RRDN’s three key roles:
- Provide support to research sites to enable effective and efficient initiation and delivery of funded research.
- Enable strategic development of new and more effective research delivery capability and capacity, including reaching under-served regions and communities.
- Collaborate with the Coordinating Centre for strategic oversight of the NIHR RDN and maintain a high-quality, funded portfolio that serves researchers and R&D teams across the network.
About us
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Our strategy for 2023–2030 focuses on four primary goals: high-quality care for all; a great place to work; partnerships for impact; and research and education excellence. We aim to embed health equality in all we do and work in partnership with communities.
Our values are: compassionate, proud, inclusive, and one team.
We look to the future with clarity on what we do well and where to focus to make a bigger difference for the people we serve.
Job responsibilities
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
Act as a senior leader within the RDN, providing strategic direction and guidance. Work with a national network of senior leaders to harmonise Agile Research Delivery Teams and study support services for out of hospital settings.
BUSINESS PLANNING
Contribute to national business planning for the Agile Research Delivery and Study Support/Partner Liaison services for out of hospital settings. Lead regional business planning and monitor performance against delivery plans to ensure appropriate use of RDN funding.
OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
Oversee regional implementation of the Agile Research Delivery Team and contribute to the Study Support Service within the national network. Work with Setting Leads to ensure delivery strategy for primary care, community and residential care settings. Manage programmes and projects, coach team members, and lead communities of practice and events for senior leaders.
SERVICE IMPROVEMENT & DEVELOPMENT
Promote a nationally consistent, customer-centric service. Maintain awareness of national initiatives (e.g., just in time site activation, digital recruitment, Be Part of Research) and ensure compliance with legislation and processes. Develop relationships with partners to solicit feedback, improve services and share insights across the national network. Lead capacity building across specialities and settings and horizon scan for emerging technologies.
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
Oversee delivery teams and study support services, develop strategies to meet benchmarks, ensure quality assurance, and coordinate with other services to provide a consistent experience across the network. Support dissemination of RDN impact.
LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY
Support Life Sciences Industry research delivery to the NHS, ensuring timely, high-quality delivery and engaging with commercial organisations as needed.
Person specification
Education and qualifications
- Evidence of continual professional development
Knowledge and experience
- Specialist knowledge of the NHS, health and care system and related governance
- Understanding of life sciences industry needs in health and care research
- Knowledge of clinical research governance and national research funding pathways
- Experience of research management at a senior level and leading cross-organisational work
- Experience of managing research support services, workforce, finances and customer-centric services
- Experience of working in partnership with other organisations and delivering across organisational boundaries
- Experience of leading continuous improvement and strategic leadership at a senior level
Skills and abilities
- Strong leadership, strategic thinking and planning in complex environments
- Excellent interpersonal skills with senior stakeholders
- Autonomy to interpret policy and provide expert advice
- Strong problem-solving and proactive issue resolution abilities
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly in writing and speech
- Ability to manage complex programmes and projects with tight deadlines
- Good IT skills, including Google Workspace and MS Office
- Empathetic, tactful approach to conflict resolution
Values and personal qualities
- Flexible, proactive attitude and patient-centred focus
- Motivated to influence, inspire and improve services
- Strong drive for improvement and innovation
- Goal-oriented and aligned with national objectives
- Commitment to ongoing learning and development
- Diplomatic and solution-focused in all interactions
- Models NHS Trust values and RDN culture
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a DBS disclosure.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Address
Paget House (LRI) Leicester or Queens Medical Centre Nottingham
#J-18808-Ljbffr…