Head of Research Delivery and Support

Head of Research Delivery and Support for Out of Hospital Settings (Job Share)

An exciting opportunity to join our East Midlands RRDN leadership team as a senior leader in research delivery and support.

Job Share: up to 22.5 hours per week over 3 days, Monday to Friday (flexibility around Friday).

Reporting to the Operations Director and working closely with the ARDT Senior Manager.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Provide strategic direction and guidance within the RDN.
  • Collaborate with national and regional leaders to align operations with strategic objectives.
  • Co‑develop and lead national projects as required.
  • Contribute to national business planning and the development of long‑term strategies.
  • Implement national strategic directives and report on successes and challenges.
• Business Planning
  • Coordinate, review, evaluate, and approve research site delivery plans.
  • Delegate responsibility for performance monitoring to ensure effective use of RDN funding.
  • Lead regional business planning for Agile Research Delivery and Study Support services.
• Operational Management
  • Oversee regional implementation of the Agile Research Delivery Team.
  • Work with Setting Leads to develop robust delivery strategies in primary, community, and residential care settings.
  • Manage programmes and projects, coach and support team members in project management.
  • Lead communities of practice and events for senior leaders, fostering collaboration and learning.
• Service Improvement & Development
  • Promote a customer‑centric approach to service delivery.
  • Award awareness of research process initiatives and support integration into the study support service.
  • Maintain knowledge of legislation and processes, and incorporate updates into RDN business.
  • Explore innovative study design and delivery methods for national and regional roll‑out.
  • Build trusted relationships with partners and encourage feedback‑driven improvement.
  • Lead strategies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of Agile Research Delivery and Study Support operations.
  • Support staff in solving complex study delivery challenges.
  • Develop capacity and capability for study delivery across specialities and settings (e.g., horizon scanning, technology adoption, research delivery models).
• Performance Management
  • Oversee Agile Research Delivery Team and Study Support Service.
  • Develop and implement strategies to meet or exceed benchmarks and contractual obligations.
  • Implement quality assurance systems, audits and reviews.
  • Coordinate with other services to ensure a consistent experience.
  • Support dissemination of RDN impact.
• Life Sciences Industry
  • Champion RDN capacity to support Life Sciences Industry research.
  • Ensure services are delivered consistently, timely, and to high quality.
  • Oversee business development activities, including clinical research expertise to commercial organisations.

Qualifications and Experience

• Masters level qualification or equivalent experience.
• Management qualification.
• Evidence of continual professional development.
• Project Management qualification or equivalent experience.
• Specialist knowledge of research, NHS, and wider health and care system.
• Knowledge of life science industry needs and NHS research pathways.
• Comprehensive understanding of governance and legislative framework for clinical research in NHS.
• Knowledge of national research funding structures.
• Experience of health and care research management at a senior level, including pre‑approval and post‑approval support.
• Experience of chairing and facilitating meetings, including sensitive or political topics.
• Experience of managing research support services, workforce planning, and finances.
• Experience of developing high‑quality, customer‑centric services for commercial and non‑commercial customers.
• Experience of working collaboratively across organisations.
• Professional operational research leadership at a senior and system level.
• Direct line management experience and leading teams to deliver objectives and performance targets.
• Business planning, financial management and operational implementation experience, preferably within an NHS organisation.
• Experience contributing to national policy or strategies and translating them into regional plans.
• Experience leading continuous improvement project management at a leadership capacity.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, planning and interpersonal skills.
• Autonomy in undertaking actions based on policy interpretation, providing expert advice.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and proactive approach to identifying future issues.
• Adept at communicating complex information orally and in writing to diverse audiences.
• Analytical judgment of complex management issues.
• Experience planning and delivering complex programmes and projects, involving multiple agencies, to tight deadlines.
• Proficient IT skills, especially Web applications, Google Workspace, and MS Office.
• Empathetic conflict resolution skills with sensitivity and tact.
• Attention to detail, flexible approach, and enthusiastic attitude towards challenges.
• Champion for patients, carers and public interests.
• High motivation, influence, inspire others, continuous improvement mindset.
• Goal‑oriented, focused on tangible results aligned with national objectives.
• Committed to ongoing learning and development.
• Professional approach to interactions and diplomacy under pressure.
• Modeled according to RDN values.

Employer

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

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