Job summary
The National Institute for Health & Care Research (NIHR) Research Delivery Network (RDN) is funded by the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) to enable the health & care system to attract, optimise and deliver research across England.
The RDN consists of 12 Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDNs) - each hosted by a different organisation. South London Regional Research Delivery Network, for example, is hosted by Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.
The RRDN South London Head of Strategy, Engagement & Inclusion is a key leadership role within the RDN. The position drives the strategic development of the South London Regional Research Delivery Network, leading on stakeholder engagement, business planning & communications, in addition to overseeing engagement and inclusion initiatives to increase participation in research.
Research inclusion is key to ensuring findings are generalisable, reproducible and benefit all members of society. Ensuring underserved communities take part in health & care research contributes to the wider mission of reducing the burden on our NHS and social care.
In addition, commercial companies need & push for diversity in the participant pool. Strong research inclusion practices & expertise are part of what helps to bring cutting-edge industry trials to the UK - improving the health & wealth of the nation.
Main duties of the job
? Lead the regional delivery of national NIHR and RDN engagement services to increase and broaden participation in research and enhance effective delivery of studies
? Embed a consistent approach to inclusion throughout the RDN services, that aligns with the NIHR Research Inclusion strategy
? Seek new and innovative ways to increase research capacity and capability through stakeholder engagement and horizon scanning
? Provide management of the regional delivery of RDN and NIHR strategies for communication and reputation management
? Provide senior leadership and strategic oversight within the RRDN team
About us
From October 2024, the current NIHR Clinical Research Network will be changing to become the NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN). The RDN will build on the successes of the CRN in supporting the effective and efficient initiation and delivery of funded research across the health and care system in England for the benefit of patients, the health and care system and the economy. The RDN will support:
- Clinical trials and other well-designed health and social care research studies (including studies that are delivered outside of an NHS setting);
- Public health studies that require the recruitment of individuals within an NHS setting (that is, acute, ambulance, mental health, community or primary care) or an episode of care which involves contact with the NHS.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Report on and present complex data with clarity to senior forums including at Board Level
Actively collaborate with the RDN Life Sciences teams and Study Support Service to promote new RDN research sites and those with increased capacity to stakeholders and customers
Ensure adherence to all RDN approaches and frameworks, and employers policies by all staff in the domains this role oversees
Work with the Head of Partner Liaison and Planning to ensure strategic and operational oversight of the functions of the RRDN
Lead and coordinate continuous improvement engagement across the RRDN and ensure outputs and successes are shared across RDN
Oversight of Public Engagement ring fenced budget and associated reporting, ensuring that spend ia aligned to budgetary planning and allocations
Coordinate communications and public engagement activities within the RRDN, providing line management and developmental support to the team as needed
Demonstrate advanced understanding of the needs of regional research participants, carers and public and ensure the research landscape evolves to meet those needs
Ensure that strategic planning includes a broad group of stakeholders, prioritising patient participant inclusion
Job description
Job responsibilities
Report on and present complex data with clarity to senior forums including at Board Level
Actively collaborate with the RDN Life Sciences teams and Study Support Service to promote new RDN research sites and those with increased capacity to stakeholders and customers
Ensure adherence to all RDN approaches and frameworks, and employers policies by all staff in the domains this role oversees
Work with the Head of Partner Liaison and Planning to ensure strategic and operational oversight of the functions of the RRDN
Lead and coordinate continuous improvement engagement across the RRDN and ensure outputs and successes are shared across RDN
Oversight of Public Engagement ring fenced budget and associated reporting, ensuring that spend ia aligned to budgetary planning and allocations
Coordinate communications and public engagement activities within the RRDN, providing line management and developmental support to the team as needed
Demonstrate advanced understanding of the needs of regional research participants, carers and public and ensure the research landscape evolves to meet those needs
Ensure that strategic planning includes a broad group of stakeholders, prioritising patient participant inclusion
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
- Management qualification
- Evidence of continual professional development
Desirable
- Project Management qualification or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Professional operational and strategic leadership in a related field
- Management experience within the NHS with understanding of operations across all sectors relevant to the respective Health and Care systems
- Experience of working across complex organisational structures and effective matrix management
- Experience of business planning and robust financial management at an appropriate scale
- Knowledge of national systems, structures and processes for supporting clinical research (industry and academic sponsored) in the NHS
- Understanding of latest population-wide engagement techniques, including off and online
- Understanding of governance and legislative frameworks for clinical trials, including GCP
- Good understanding of quality assurance and performance management techniques
- Evidence of managing effective collaborations and partnerships
Desirable
- Understanding of workforce planning
- Knowledge of utilising business intelligence solutions to work within a performance management framework
Skills
Essential
- Good IT skills, particularly in use of Web applications, Google Workspace applications and MS Office applications
- Highly developed leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills with the ability to demonstrate these in highly political environments
- Ability to plan, manage, adjust and deliver highly complex projects, involving multiple agencies and individuals and a broad range of activities, to tight deadlines
- Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and business cases to diverse audiences at regional and national events
- Ability to analyse and interpret specialised, confidential research management information and ability to make judgements regarding a range of highly complex research management issues
- Ability to work autonomously
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Proven leadership skills, including leadership in the management of change
- Proven interpersonal skills to work with clinical and management colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations and the ability to develop strong working relationships with senior stakeholders
- Able to analyse performance of area of activity in relation to performance targets, strategic objectives and make appropriate suggestions
- Flexible approach to working and enthusiastic attitude towards challenges
- Attention to detail
- Acts as a champion for patients, carers, the public and their interests, ensuring the public voice has an impact on RDN activities
- Highly motivated, with the ability to influence and inspire others
- A strong visionary leader, who brings together ideas and expertise to deliver strategy
- A resilient and open individual demonstrating clear understanding of the RDN vision, routes for influencing strategy, engaging with diverse groups of people and continuous improvement
- Role models and works in accordance with the values of the RDN and the employing NHS trust
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
- Management qualification
- Evidence of continual professional development
Desirable
- Project Management qualification or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Professional operational and strategic leadership in a related field
- Management experience within the NHS with understanding of operations across all sectors relevant to the respective Health and Care systems
- Experience of working across complex organisational structures and effective matrix management
- Experience of business planning and robust financial management at an appropriate scale
- Knowledge of national systems, structures and processes for supporting clinical research (industry and academic sponsored) in the NHS
- Understanding of latest population-wide engagement techniques, including off and online
- Understanding of governance and legislative frameworks for clinical trials, including GCP
- Good understanding of quality assurance and performance management techniques
- Evidence of managing effective collaborations and partnerships
Desirable
- Understanding of workforce planning
- Knowledge of utilising business intelligence solutions to work within a performance management framework
Skills
Essential
- Good IT skills, particularly in use of Web applications, Google Workspace applications and MS Office applications
- Highly developed leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills with the ability to demonstrate these in highly political environments
- Ability to plan, manage, adjust and deliver highly complex projects, involving multiple agencies and individuals and a broad range of activities, to tight deadlines
- Ability to prepare and deliver presentations and business cases to diverse audiences at regional and national events
- Ability to analyse and interpret specialised, confidential research management information and ability to make judgements regarding a range of highly complex research management issues
- Ability to work autonomously
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Proven leadership skills, including leadership in the management of change
- Proven interpersonal skills to work with clinical and management colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations and the ability to develop strong working relationships with senior stakeholders
- Able to analyse performance of area of activity in relation to performance targets, strategic objectives and make appropriate suggestions
- Flexible approach to working and enthusiastic attitude towards challenges
- Attention to detail
- Acts as a champion for patients, carers, the public and their interests, ensuring the public voice has an impact on RDN activities
- Highly motivated, with the ability to influence and inspire others
- A strong visionary leader, who brings together ideas and expertise to deliver strategy
- A resilient and open individual demonstrating clear understanding of the RDN vision, routes for influencing strategy, engaging with diverse groups of people and continuous improvement
- Role models and works in accordance with the values of the RDN and the employing NHS trust
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
