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Job summary

Main area
Research
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
358-7595049-COR
Employer
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Town
Leicester
Salary
£55,690 - £62,682 per annum / pro rota for part time hours
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/01/2026 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust logo

Research Delivery Group Research Delivery Manager

NHS AfC: Band 8a

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Job overview

The Research Delivery Manager plays a pivotal leadership role in the strategic and operational management of clinical research across the organisation. Operating at Band 8a, the postholder is responsible for ensuring the safe, effective, and compliant delivery of a diverse portfolio of research studies, including NIHR portfolio and commercial trials, in line with national standards and local priorities. 

This role requires expert knowledge of clinical research governance, regulatory frameworks, and NHS systems, alongside strong leadership and management capabilities. The postholder will lead multidisciplinary research delivery teams, oversee study performance, and ensure that research is embedded within clinical services to improve patient outcomes and support innovation. 

Working closely with the R&D leadership team, Principal Investigators, and external stakeholders, the Research Delivery Manager will contribute to service development, workforce planning, financial oversight, and policy implementation. The role demands high-level analytical, judgement, and communication skills to navigate complex operational challenges, influence strategic direction, and promote a culture of excellence, inclusion, and continuous improvement. 

Main duties of the job

The postholder will be expected to: 

  • Lead and manage research delivery across multiple specialties and sites. 

  • Ensure compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), UK Clinical Trials Regulations, and Trust governance. 

  • Support the achievement of national research targets and contribute to the Trust’s reputation as a research-active organisation. 

  • Develop and implement policies, procedures, and systems that support safe and efficient research delivery.

  • Lead financial planning for research delivery services, ensuring efficient use of resources across studies and specialties.

  • Manage delegated budgets, including staffing, equipment, and consumables, in line with Trust financial policies.

  • Line manage research delivery staff, including research nurses, practitioners, coordinators, and administrators.

  • Lead workforce planning, recruitment, induction, and performance management. 

For the full list of duties, please see Job Description attached to this vacancy.

Working for our organisation

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals: 

  • high-quality care for all, 
  • being a great place to work, 
  • partnerships for impact, and 
  • research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

  • we are compassionate,
  • we are proud, 
  • we are inclusive, and 
  • we are one team 

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Overall, the Research Delivery Manager will be responsible for the following results areas: 

  • Managing the adult Research Delivery Group portfolio within UHL, working closely with Principal Investigators to ensure successful delivery to time and target.  

  • Responsible for determination of the feasibility of multi-specialty adult research trials in the Trust, demonstrating a significant level of judgement to gauge the level of risk associated with individual projects. 

  • Researching, developing, implementing and assuring business and strategic plans for  Research Delivery Group  research to ensure the long-term sustainability of the team 

  • Providing professional accountability for the planning, management, adjustment and delivery of a high number and broad range of complex research projects, involving multiple agencies and specialities, individuals and activities, to tight deadlines and operating under strict operational protocols. 

  • Responsible for the overall management of the team, with oversight of allocating all appropriate staffing and all other necessary resources across the full portfolio of research studies, as well as providing support to extended research and clinical staff within the specialities. 

  • Responsible for leading, developing and supporting the Research Delivery Group workforce. 

  • Providing strong and visible leadership to research staff and others by acting as a role model for others. 

  • Increasing research activity across a number of specialities through maintenance of good working relationships with Industry and academic organisations.

  • Coordinating and managing the activity and successful progress of clinical trials across the Research Delivery Group portfolio. 

  • Improving research performance outputs, which will require analysis of high complex information to work towards outputs to improve: 

  • Number of studies recruiting to time and target for trials within the specialities 

  • Efficient set up of studies and response times to Expressions of Interest 

  • Identification of areas of potential interest to industrial partners, and setting in place robust structures to facilitate efficient recruitment to commercial studies. 

  • Maintaining complete awareness of the requirements for the local clinical research portfolio, its investigators and support network, as well as their access to local administration, coordination and governance. 

  • Supporting the Research Delivery Group clinical lead , Clinical Research Specialty Leads and RDG Operations Director in developing and implementing a coherent and transparent strategic plan for the development and stability of the specialities. 

  • Lead on key projects as directed by R&I and by Clinical Research Lead and RDG Operations Director. 

Person specification

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential criteria
  • Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust’s Values and Behaviours

Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Educated to degree level in a health or life sciences discipline, leadership & management or other related field
  • Postgraduate qualification in research, healthcare management, or related field
  • Current professional registration (e.g. NMC, HCPC) if clinically qualified
  • Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development
  • Willing to undertake any necessary training relevant to the post
Desirable criteria
  • Leadership or management qualification or equivalent experience

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Significant experience in clinical research delivery within the NHS or academic setting
  • Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex research portfolios
  • Proven track record of meeting NIHR or commercial study targets
  • Experience of working with regulatory bodies (e.g. MHRA, HRA)
  • Experience of budget management and financial reporting
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in service development, change management, or strategic planning

Communication and relationship skills

Essential criteria
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to diverse audiences
  • Confident building relationships with internal and external stakeholders such as clinical leads, principal investigators, commercial sponsors, contract research organisations and the NIHR Research Delivery Network
  • Ability to educate and support colleagues, patients and carers
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of stakeholder engagement at regional or national level

Analytical and Judgement skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to analyse complex information, interpret data, and make informed decisions to support research delivery and strategic planning
  • Ability to evaluate patient eligibility for entry into clinical trials against defined protocols
  • Ability to evaluate service performance and implement evidence-based improvement
Desirable criteria
  • Experience using performance metrics and data to drive performance and identify issues
  • Skilled in risk assessment, incident management, and quality improvement

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Strong leadership and team management abilities
  • Proficient in planning, prioritising, and delivering complex projects
  • Skilled in using digital tools and systems to support research operations
  • Experience in workforce planning and resource allocation
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to manage time effectively, prioritise work and to deliver results consistently to deadlines
  • Awareness of current national systems and structures for the approval, management and monitoring of clinical research in the NHS
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in service redesign, workforce planning, or change management

Planning and organisation skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate resources effectively across teams and projects
  • Able to use initiative
Desirable criteria
  • Experience implementing systems or processes to improve operational efficiency

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrates a clear understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace
  • Able to promote inclusive practices and challenge discrimination
Desirable criteria
  • Experience embedding inclusive approaches into service delivery or workforce development

Other requirements specific to the role

Essential criteria
  • Highly motivated
  • Flexible approach to working and a desire to develop knowledge.
  • Assertive, confident and diplomatic
  • Demonstrates enthusiasm
  • Professional manner
  • Willingness to travel across Trust sites and attend regional/national meetings as required
  • Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands of the role, including occasional out-ofhours commitments
  • Ability to act as a role model and ambassador for research delivery

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoCare quality commission - Goodhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident committedHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Lois Daniels
Job title
Research Delivery Group Operations Director
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07483422141
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