Powys Teaching Health Board

Approvals Manager

The closing date is 05 February 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic individual(s) to join our team to undertake the role of Approvals Manager (Band 7).

This will be a senior leadership role is part of the Support and Delivery Centres Approvals Team within Health and Care Research Wales.Health and Care Research Wales is a networked organisation, supported by Welsh Government, which brings together a wide range of partners across the NHS in Wales, local authorities, universities, research institutions, third sector and others.

The post holder will require excellent communication skills, have a positive and flexible approach to the needs of the Service, be motivated, ready for the next challenge and enjoy working as part of a very busy team.

The post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide line management, supervision, and day-to-day support to Approvals Specialists and designated staff. Leading the team to ensure effective performance, staff development, and consistent operational cover for REC meetings.

They will oversee the smooth running of REC operations, including workflow management, allocation of applications and amendments, ensuring REC meetings are appropriately staffed, and maintaining high-quality delivery in line with HRA/Health and Care Research Wales Approval practices.

Provide expert guidance to applicants and staff on complex or unprecedented issues. Contribute specialist knowledge to REC proceedings and, when required, to the wider HRA/Health and Care Research Wales Advice and Guidance function.

Collate feedback, identify themes, and contribute to governance reporting. Interpret metrics for KPI monitoring, support policy development, and play an active role in process improvement and implementation of change.

About us

This is a Health & Care Research Wales post, hosted by Powys Teaching Health Board.

Health and Care Research Wales is a networked organisation, supported by Welsh Government, which brings together a wide range of partners across the NHS in Wales, local authorities, universities, research institutions, third sector and others.

Health and Care Research Wales works in support of Welsh Government's overarching goal which is to ensure that today's research makes a difference to tomorrow's care.

Its mission is to promote, support and provide collective oversight of health and social care research in Wales. Ensuring it is of the highest international scientific quality, is relevant to the needs and challenges of health and social care in Wales and makes a difference to policy and practice in ways that improve the lives of patients, people, and communities in Wales.

Details

Date posted

22 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£48,527 to £55,532 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

070-AC012-0126

Job locations

Brecon / Cardiff / North Wales

Cardiff

CF10 3NQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree-level qualification or evidenced ability to work at a similar intellectual level
  • Post-graduate qualification, preferably in a scientific discipline, law/ ethics, or management or equivalent experienc
  • Thorough understanding of the HCRW / HRA role and remit
  • Expert knowledge of principles and processes for approving and conducting health research, including legal requirements relating to research, and the ability to apply this knowledge practically
  • Expert understanding and knowledge of relevant legislation and national policy including Human Tissue Act, Mental Capacity Act, GDPR, Clinical Trials Regulations, which impacts on conduct of research
  • Data analytical skills (both quantitative and qualitative) including the analysis of multiple sources of information to ensure compliance with targets and performance indicators
  • Expert understanding of research methodologies and appropriate legislative and research management arrangements for different research types
  • Expert understanding of NHS research funding and contracting arrangements
  • Awareness of clinical research structures in Wales and England and equivalent arrangements in other devolved administrations
  • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty
  • Problem solving and analytical skills, including ability to interpret and prepare reports
  • Computer literate, competent in the use of Microsoft programs
  • Presentation skills including the ability to conduct meetings and deliver presentations and workshops using a range of presentational aids
  • Ability to work to frequent challenging deadlines
  • Ability to work in a dynamic, rapidly evolving environment with minimal supervision

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of leading a team
  • Experience of reviewing portfolio or nonportfolio studies in NHS R&D or a clinical research environment, or as a Coordinator or Facilitator of health research studies in the UK
  • Change management/ service improvement experience
  • Experience of monitoring, or carrying out audits
  • Experience in designing and delivering training

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

  • Highly self-motivated, confident, pro-active, innovative, with ability to work independently and on own initiative
  • Able to present arguments and justification for actions confidently
  • Flexible working approach, with proactive approach to change
  • Commitment to team working and respect and consideration for the skills of others
  • Interpersonal skills to include diplomacy and sensitivity
  • Interpersonal skills to include negotiating and influencing including ability to be assertive whilst cooperative
  • ability to work well with others, at all levels in an organisation including senior staff
  • Ability to develop good communications within the extended research community

Other

Essential

  • Willingness to travel nationally on an occasional basis including being absent from home and outside of core hours

Values

Essential

  • Demonstrate PTHB Values
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree-level qualification or evidenced ability to work at a similar intellectual level
  • Post-graduate qualification, preferably in a scientific discipline, law/ ethics, or management or equivalent experienc
  • Thorough understanding of the HCRW / HRA role and remit
  • Expert knowledge of principles and processes for approving and conducting health research, including legal requirements relating to research, and the ability to apply this knowledge practically
  • Expert understanding and knowledge of relevant legislation and national policy including Human Tissue Act, Mental Capacity Act, GDPR, Clinical Trials Regulations, which impacts on conduct of research
  • Data analytical skills (both quantitative and qualitative) including the analysis of multiple sources of information to ensure compliance with targets and performance indicators
  • Expert understanding of research methodologies and appropriate legislative and research management arrangements for different research types
  • Expert understanding of NHS research funding and contracting arrangements
  • Awareness of clinical research structures in Wales and England and equivalent arrangements in other devolved administrations
  • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty
  • Problem solving and analytical skills, including ability to interpret and prepare reports
  • Computer literate, competent in the use of Microsoft programs
  • Presentation skills including the ability to conduct meetings and deliver presentations and workshops using a range of presentational aids
  • Ability to work to frequent challenging deadlines
  • Ability to work in a dynamic, rapidly evolving environment with minimal supervision

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of leading a team
  • Experience of reviewing portfolio or nonportfolio studies in NHS R&D or a clinical research environment, or as a Coordinator or Facilitator of health research studies in the UK
  • Change management/ service improvement experience
  • Experience of monitoring, or carrying out audits
  • Experience in designing and delivering training

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

  • Highly self-motivated, confident, pro-active, innovative, with ability to work independently and on own initiative
  • Able to present arguments and justification for actions confidently
  • Flexible working approach, with proactive approach to change
  • Commitment to team working and respect and consideration for the skills of others
  • Interpersonal skills to include diplomacy and sensitivity
  • Interpersonal skills to include negotiating and influencing including ability to be assertive whilst cooperative
  • ability to work well with others, at all levels in an organisation including senior staff
  • Ability to develop good communications within the extended research community

Other

Essential

  • Willingness to travel nationally on an occasional basis including being absent from home and outside of core hours

Values

Essential

  • Demonstrate PTHB Values

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Powys Teaching Health Board

Address

Brecon / Cardiff / North Wales

Cardiff

CF10 3NQ


Employer's website

https://pthb.nhs.wales/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Powys Teaching Health Board

Address

Brecon / Cardiff / North Wales

Cardiff

CF10 3NQ


Employer's website

https://pthb.nhs.wales/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Approvals Operations Manager

Rossela Roberts

rossela.roberts@wales.nhs.uk

02920230457

Details

Date posted

22 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£48,527 to £55,532 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

070-AC012-0126

Job locations

Brecon / Cardiff / North Wales

Cardiff

CF10 3NQ


Supporting documents

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