PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

• Oversee the Agile Research Delivery Team and Study Support Service
• Develop and implement strategies for ensuring service delivery meets or exceeds established benchmarks, including targets and obligations specified in the RRDN Host Organisation Contract
• Develop and implement strategies and systems for quality assurance, including audit and review of the work, providing feedback, development, and support as necessary
• Ensure seamless coordination with other services and functions within the RRDN and across the national network, working with other teams to provide a consistent experience and work as one organisation
• Identify and support the dissemination of RDN impact across RDN and RRDN activities

LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY

• Champion the RDN's capacity and capability to support Life Sciences Industry research and the contribution of the Life Sciences Industry to the NHS
• Be responsible for ensuring that RRDN Agile Research Delivery Team and Study Support services provided to the Life Sciences Industry are provided consistently, within the required timeframes to a high quality standard and in line with identified national RDN requirements
• Oversee the business development activities of the Agile Research Delivery Team and Study Support services, including providing clinical research expertise and knowledge to support optimal research delivery in discussions with commercial organisations; and attending meetings and presenting at events, webinars, etc.

Person specification

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
• Management qualification
• Evidence of continual professional development

Desirable criteria

• Project Management qualification or equivalent experience

Knowledge And Experience

Essential criteria

• Specialist knowledge of research, the NHS, and the wider health and care system including associated responsibilities to the public and patients
• Specialist knowledge of the range of life science industry's needs and requirements with regard to health and care research
• Comprehensive understanding of governance and legislative framework for conducting clinical research in the NHS
• Comprehensive understanding of the UK research pathway and funding
• Knowledge of national systems, structures, and processes for supporting clinical research in NHS and non-NHS settings
• Knowledge of utilising Business Intelligence solutions to work within a performance management framework, and good understanding of performance management techniques
• Extensive knowledge of methods, tools, and techniques for problem-solving and continuous improvement that are relevant to system-level health and care working
• Experience of health and care research management at a senior level, including the support of studies pre-approval and post-approval
• Experience of chairing and facilitating meetings, including with sensitive or political topics
• Experience of managing health and care research support services including workforce planning and the management of people and finances
• Experience of developing and managing high quality customer centric services for commercial and non-commercial customers
• Experience of working collaboratively and in partnership with other organisations, with demonstrable experience of delivery across organisational boundaries
• Professional operational research leadership at a senior and system level
• Experience of direct line management and managing teams to deliver clear objectives and performance targets, including through organisational change
• Experience of business planning, financial management, and operational implementation, preferably within an NHS organisation.
• Experience of contributing to the development of national policy or strategies, and translating those into regional plans
• Experience of leading continuous improvement
• Project management experience in a leadership capacity, delivering complex projects involving multiple agencies and individuals to tight deadlines

Desirable criteria

• Professional strategic leadership at a senior level

Skills And Abilities

Essential criteria

• Highly developed leadership, strategic thinking, and planning skills with the ability to demonstrate these in highly political environments
• 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
• Demonstrable ability to use autonomy to undertake actions as a result of own interpretation of policy and guidance, providing a source of expert advice to the organisation
• Strong problem-solving skills, including a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential future issues
• Ability to communicate highly complex and difficult information both orally and in writing, both internally to colleagues and externally to a range of audiences, including in pressured and politically sensitive environments
• Ability to analyse and interpret highly complex information and to make judgments regarding a range of highly complex management issues
• Ability to plan, manage, adjust, and deliver complex programmes and projects, involving multiple agencies and individuals and a broad range of activities, to tight deadlines
• Good IT skills, particularly in use of Web applications, Google Workspace applications, and MS Office applications
• Empathetic approach to resolving conflict, with the ability to work with sensitivity and tact
• Attention to detail

Values and Personal Qualities

Essential Criteria

• Flexible approach to working and enthusiastic attitude towards challenges
• 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
• Constantly strives for improvement, bringing a 'can do' attitude and seeking out innovation
• Goal-oriented, with a focus on tangible results that are aligned with overarching national objectives
• Committed to ongoing learning and development, proactively seeking opportunities for personal and team growth
• Takes a professional approach to all interactions, remaining diplomatic under pressure and fostering a solution-focused environment
• Role models and works in accordance with the values of the RDN and the employing NHS Trust

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Proceed to apply