Job summary
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Delivery Network (RDN) is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to enable the health and care system to attract, optimise and deliver research across England. The RDN consist of 12 Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDNs) and a Coordinating Centre (RDNCC), working together as one organisation with joint leadership. The Network contributes to NIHR's mission to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. North West RRDN, hosted by Manchester University NHS Foundation NHS Trust, is at the forefront of this mission, enabling research that improves lives.
As Head of Strategy, Engagement, and Inclusion, you will play a pivotal role in driving the strategic development of the North West RRDN. Working at the regional and national levels, you will lead initiatives to engage diverse stakeholders, embed inclusive practices, and enhance public involvement in health and care research. Reporting to the RRDN Strategic Development Director, you will manage the domains of Strategy, Communications, and Study Participation Inclusion, supporting the delivery of national priorities across the region.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a strategic thinker and visionary leader with a strong background in stakeholder engagement, inclusion, and strategy development within the NHS or a related field. You will have experience in matrix management, financial planning, and performance evaluation. Your ability to build collaborative relationships, coupled with advanced communication and analytical skills, will be critical to your success in this role.
Main duties include (but are not limited to):
o Develop and implement regional strategies aligned with national RDN priorities.
o Lead engagement and inclusion initiatives to increase participation in research, particularly from underserved communities.
o Provide senior leadership to the RRDN, overseeing Strategy, Communications, and Study Participation Inclusion teams.
o Manage stakeholder relationships, ensuring alignment with NIHR and NHS objectives.
o Analyse data to support decision-making and the development of regional capacity and capability.
o Promote continuous improvement by embedding inclusive practices in research delivery.
o Represent the RRDN at national forums, acting as an ambassador for the RDN.
About us
MFT is one of the largest NHS Trust In England with a turnover of over £3bn & is on a different scale than most other NHS Trusts. We're creating an exceptional integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services every year.
Bringing together 10 hospitals & community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we champion collaborative working & transformation, encouraging our 30,000 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you'll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary.
We've also created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient & staff experience, operational effectiveness & driving research, and innovation through the introduction of Hive; our Electronic Patient Record system which launched in September 2022.
We're proud to be a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, providing you with a robust infrastructure to encourage and facilitate high-quality research programmes. What's more, we're excited to be embarking on our Green Plan which sets out how MFT continues to play its part in making healthcare more sustainable.
At MFT, we create and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open, and transparent, protecting your health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating, and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at resourcing@mft.nhs.uk.
Were looking forward to hearing from you!
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating, and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at resourcing@mft.nhs.uk.
Were looking forward to hearing from you!
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
- Management qualification
- Evidence of continual professional development
Desirable
- Project Management qualification or equivalent experience
Knowledge and 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
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
- Management qualification
- Evidence of continual professional development
Desirable
- Project Management qualification or equivalent experience
Knowledge and 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
Additional information
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).
