Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled R&D Systems and Digital Transformation Manager to play a pivotal role in transforming how research is delivered across one of the UK's leading NHS research organisations. Working at the heart of a complex, fast-moving research environment, you will lead meaningful digital change that improves experience, efficiency and impact for researchers, clinicians and patients.
This role is ideal for an influential, collaborative leader who can engage and motivate diverse stakeholders and enjoys shaping new ways of working across organisational and professional boundaries.
As Systems and Digital Transformation Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for the R&D digital transformation agenda. You will identify opportunities to modernise systems and processes, lead complex transformation projects, and support the workforce to confidently adopt new tools, skills and approaches. This will include supporting the implementation of the Florence document management system and projects which optimise the use of EPIC in research delivery.
You will bring strong communication skills, the ability to navigate complexity, and a sound working knowledge of clinical research delivery and research governance within the NHS. This role suits someone passionate about digital innovation, inclusive research delivery and developing people alongside systems to make a real difference now and in the future.
Interview date Friday 8th May 2026
Main duties of the job
As R&D Systems and Digital Transformation Manager, you will lead the development and day-to-day performance of digital systems supporting research delivery across R&D. You will drive digital transformation by improving research processes and introducing more efficient, user-centred ways of working.
You will manage complex digital and service improvement projects from design to implementation, including the rollout of the Florence document management system. Working closely with clinical research teams, governance, IT, data specialists and system suppliers, you will ensure systems meet organisational and wider research requirements. You will improve data quality, reporting and insight, enabling access to reliable performance and compliance information, and provide leadership and support to help the workforce adopt new systems and ways of working, ensuring digital solutions support inclusive research delivery.
This role suits someone with experience of clinical research management or governance who can influence and engage stakeholders across complex systems. You will communicate confidently with clinical, professional and technical colleagues, take a strategic improvement-focused approach, have strong project and change management experience, be confident using digital systems and data, value collaboration and inclusion, and have experience line-managing staff.
About us
You will be part of a busy, high-performing Research & Development Directorate at the heart of one of the UK's most active NHS research organisations. Research is a core Trust priority, creating a fast-paced, ambitious and intellectually stimulating environment where digital innovation and continuous improvement are strongly valued.
You will work closely with supportive and experienced colleagues across the research functions, including the Research Governance, Quality and R&D Performance teams, alongside clinical research managers, analysts and system specialists. Collaboration is central to how we work, and you will be encouraged to build strong relationships across functions and with external partners.
This is an environment that values teamwork, shared problem-solving and learning, offering opportunities to influence at scale while being supported by committed colleagues who are passionate about delivering high-quality, inclusive research.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The detailed job description and responsibilities are provided in the attached Job Description
The main responsibility is to lead digital transformation across R&D, improve systems, processes and data. Manage complex projects and support the workforce to adopt new tools and ways of working.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The detailed job description and responsibilities are provided in the attached Job Description
The main responsibility is to lead digital transformation across R&D, improve systems, processes and data. Manage complex projects and support the workforce to adopt new tools and ways of working.
Person Specification
Qualifications / Education
Essential
- Educated to masters level or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience
- Formal qualification in Project management (PRINCE 2) to practitioner level or equivalent
- Evidence of recent Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Evidence of training in relevant coding and systems skills, such as Python, Java, SQL, VBA, and DAX (Power BI and Excel), as well as experience with version control tools such as GitHub or equivalent software.
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of configuration expertise, continuous improvement and optimisation of research management systems
- Evidence of managing successful project and / or operational performance and improvement; including business case preparation, service initiation / commissioning, contract negotiation and the development and monitoring of output and outcome measures
- Experience of Research project management / Project management experience in managing complex services including design, development, implementation and management of change in a multiple stakeholder environment.
- Experience of managing complex budgets from a range of income sources and demonstrable evidence of individual, team, financial, process and change management
- Proven experience of delivering training.
- Proven and demonstrable expertise of designing or assigning IT systems / processes to meet identified business needs.
- Strong practical knowledge and experience of the research lifecycle,
Desirable
- In-depth application knowledge/ business/ clinical processes of at least 2 of the Epic applications
- Application knowledge of research management systems such as Edge, Qpulse, Florence
- Experience of clinical research management, to include experience in the planning, coordination and conducting of clinical research studies or the management of clinical research.
- Knowledge and understanding of the changing NHS environment, strategy, and policy agendas.
- Knowledge of Power BI and producing dashboards for senior leadership.
Skills
Essential
- Proven experience of Transformation / Change management techniques to support digital development and workforce engagement
- Extensive knowledge of contract management.
- Excellent understanding and track record of successful change and project management
- Highly effective people and project management skills.
- Work flexibly, prioritise workloads and resource them in response to changing demands and requirements
- Excellent interpersonal, communication (written, oral, presentation, facilitation), networking and negotiation skills with a track record in consistently delivering performance targets and writing complex business cases, policies and change
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise, meet deadlines and delegate effectively.
- Ability to find innovative ways of solving or pre-empting problems.
- IT literate, including competency in MS Office programmes and in particular in Advanced Excel and MS Project or equivalent
- A willingness and ability to learn new and train staff on emerging and new technologies and software
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to use diplomacy, tact, persuasion, motivation and negotiation in a variety of training and business engagements
- Data Protection Act, GDPR and Information Governance in relation to the terms and conditions of an NHS organisation.
- Able to problem solve and analyse a range of complex problems, interpreting and comparing options.
- A commitment to partnership working, inclusion of a diverse workforce and service integration
Desirable
- Knowledge of Computer System Validation (CSV) and related GCP requirements of the MHRA
- Knowledge of the MHRA's Vendor Selection requirements for software providers used in Clinical Trials.
Person Specification
Qualifications / Education
Essential
- Educated to masters level or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience
- Formal qualification in Project management (PRINCE 2) to practitioner level or equivalent
- Evidence of recent Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Evidence of training in relevant coding and systems skills, such as Python, Java, SQL, VBA, and DAX (Power BI and Excel), as well as experience with version control tools such as GitHub or equivalent software.
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of configuration expertise, continuous improvement and optimisation of research management systems
- Evidence of managing successful project and / or operational performance and improvement; including business case preparation, service initiation / commissioning, contract negotiation and the development and monitoring of output and outcome measures
- Experience of Research project management / Project management experience in managing complex services including design, development, implementation and management of change in a multiple stakeholder environment.
- Experience of managing complex budgets from a range of income sources and demonstrable evidence of individual, team, financial, process and change management
- Proven experience of delivering training.
- Proven and demonstrable expertise of designing or assigning IT systems / processes to meet identified business needs.
- Strong practical knowledge and experience of the research lifecycle,
Desirable
- In-depth application knowledge/ business/ clinical processes of at least 2 of the Epic applications
- Application knowledge of research management systems such as Edge, Qpulse, Florence
- Experience of clinical research management, to include experience in the planning, coordination and conducting of clinical research studies or the management of clinical research.
- Knowledge and understanding of the changing NHS environment, strategy, and policy agendas.
- Knowledge of Power BI and producing dashboards for senior leadership.
Skills
Essential
- Proven experience of Transformation / Change management techniques to support digital development and workforce engagement
- Extensive knowledge of contract management.
- Excellent understanding and track record of successful change and project management
- Highly effective people and project management skills.
- Work flexibly, prioritise workloads and resource them in response to changing demands and requirements
- Excellent interpersonal, communication (written, oral, presentation, facilitation), networking and negotiation skills with a track record in consistently delivering performance targets and writing complex business cases, policies and change
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise, meet deadlines and delegate effectively.
- Ability to find innovative ways of solving or pre-empting problems.
- IT literate, including competency in MS Office programmes and in particular in Advanced Excel and MS Project or equivalent
- A willingness and ability to learn new and train staff on emerging and new technologies and software
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to use diplomacy, tact, persuasion, motivation and negotiation in a variety of training and business engagements
- Data Protection Act, GDPR and Information Governance in relation to the terms and conditions of an NHS organisation.
- Able to problem solve and analyse a range of complex problems, interpreting and comparing options.
- A commitment to partnership working, inclusion of a diverse workforce and service integration
Desirable
- Knowledge of Computer System Validation (CSV) and related GCP requirements of the MHRA
- Knowledge of the MHRA's Vendor Selection requirements for software providers used in Clinical Trials.
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).
