Job summary
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is expanding its capacity to design, sponsor, and deliver highquality clinical trials. We're looking for an experienced Clinical Trials Manager to play a pivotal role in that growth.
Joining our Department of Clinical Research (DoCR), you'll contribute directly to studies that improve patient care, advance clinical knowledge and innovation, and elevate Somerset's reputation as a centre for excellence in research. If you're driven, organised, and passionate about high quality research, this is your opportunity to lead meaningful work with real-world impact.
Main duties of the job
As our Clinical Trials Manager, you will oversee a portfolio of Trustsponsored and investigatorled clinical trials across a range of specialties spanning CTIMPs, nonCTIMPs, and single- or multi-centre studies at regional, national, and international levels.
You'll work closely with Chief Investigators to support every stage of the study life cycle: from concept and protocol development through approvals, setup, conduct, monitoring, and closeout. Alongside this, you'll provide leadership to a team of trial coordinators, data managers, and monitors, helping build research capacity across the organisation.
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, you'll be part of a supportive, innovative research environment where your expertise genuinely shapes patient care. We offer:
- A hybrid working model where appropriate.
- Opportunities for further training and professional development.
- A collaborative team culture rooted in the Trust values: Kindness, Respect, Teamwork.
- The chance to grow a research portfolio that has both local impact and national reach.
If you're passionate about high quality clinical research and want to influence the development and delivery of trials that improve patient outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Clinical Trials Manager will be responsible for the effective management and delivery of the Trust's portfolio of Trust-sponsored and investigator-led clinical trials, spanning a range of specialties and including both CTIMPs and non-CTIMPs. These may be single or multi-centre studies, conducted at local, regional, national, and global levels.
The postholder will provide expert leadership and operational oversight across the full life cycle of sponsored studies, from concept and grant application through set-up, delivery, monitoring, and close-out. They will work in close partnership with Chief Investigators (CIs) to develop protocols, secure approvals, establish systems and processes, and ensure that all studies are delivered to the highest standards of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), UK Clinical Trials Regulations, and sponsor requirements.
The role will also carry line management responsibility for a team of trial management staff and will contribute to the growth of research capacity and infrastructure within the Trust.
Why join Somerset NHS FT?
- Work within a supportive, expanding research department at a Trust committed to innovation and high quality research
- Play a central role in growing a Trust-sponsored trials portfolio
- Influence how trials are designed, delivered and supported across the Trust
- Real opportunity to shape infrastructure, systems and ways of working
- Be part of a collaborative, motivated team advancing research that directly benefits patients across Somerset
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Flo Cullen, flo.cullen@somersetft.nhs.uk 01823 342582
Please refer to the attached job description for further details on the role. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Clinical Trials Manager will be responsible for the effective management and delivery of the Trust's portfolio of Trust-sponsored and investigator-led clinical trials, spanning a range of specialties and including both CTIMPs and non-CTIMPs. These may be single or multi-centre studies, conducted at local, regional, national, and global levels.
The postholder will provide expert leadership and operational oversight across the full life cycle of sponsored studies, from concept and grant application through set-up, delivery, monitoring, and close-out. They will work in close partnership with Chief Investigators (CIs) to develop protocols, secure approvals, establish systems and processes, and ensure that all studies are delivered to the highest standards of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), UK Clinical Trials Regulations, and sponsor requirements.
The role will also carry line management responsibility for a team of trial management staff and will contribute to the growth of research capacity and infrastructure within the Trust.
Why join Somerset NHS FT?
- Work within a supportive, expanding research department at a Trust committed to innovation and high quality research
- Play a central role in growing a Trust-sponsored trials portfolio
- Influence how trials are designed, delivered and supported across the Trust
- Real opportunity to shape infrastructure, systems and ways of working
- Be part of a collaborative, motivated team advancing research that directly benefits patients across Somerset
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Flo Cullen, flo.cullen@somersetft.nhs.uk 01823 342582
Please refer to the attached job description for further details on the role. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in life sciences, health sciences, or related field
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training (current/valid)
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in clinical research, trial management, or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience in clinical trial management or coordination, ideally including both CTIMPs and non-CTIMPs
- Proven track record of trial set-up, approvals, conduct, monitoring, and close-out
- Experience of protocol development and supporting grant applications/costings
- Experience of multi-centre trial management
- Evidence of supervising or line managing trial staff
- Experience of working with regulatory authorities, funders, and external partners
Desirable
- Experience contributing to business cases, NIHR bids, or infrastructure proposals
Additional Criteria
Essential
- In-depth knowledge of UK Clinical Trials Regulations, ICH-GCP, and research governance
- Knowledge of trial development, approvals, and monitoring requirements
- Understanding of multi-centre trial management and sponsor oversight responsibilities
- Strong project management, organisational, and problem-solving skills
Desirable
- Familiarity with NIHR systems, portfolio management, and national research frameworks
- Knowledge of financial management and budgeting for research studies
- Financial and resource management skills (e.g. supporting costings, budget oversight)
- Ability to contribute to strategic planning and service development
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in life sciences, health sciences, or related field
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training (current/valid)
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in clinical research, trial management, or equivalent experience
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience in clinical trial management or coordination, ideally including both CTIMPs and non-CTIMPs
- Proven track record of trial set-up, approvals, conduct, monitoring, and close-out
- Experience of protocol development and supporting grant applications/costings
- Experience of multi-centre trial management
- Evidence of supervising or line managing trial staff
- Experience of working with regulatory authorities, funders, and external partners
Desirable
- Experience contributing to business cases, NIHR bids, or infrastructure proposals
Additional Criteria
Essential
- In-depth knowledge of UK Clinical Trials Regulations, ICH-GCP, and research governance
- Knowledge of trial development, approvals, and monitoring requirements
- Understanding of multi-centre trial management and sponsor oversight responsibilities
- Strong project management, organisational, and problem-solving skills
Desirable
- Familiarity with NIHR systems, portfolio management, and national research frameworks
- Knowledge of financial management and budgeting for research studies
- Financial and resource management skills (e.g. supporting costings, budget oversight)
- Ability to contribute to strategic planning and service development
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.
