Research Grants and Contracts Officer

Job summary

Are you an experienced research contracts, governance or funding specialist looking to lead at scale across one of the largest and most diverse NHS research environments in the country?

We are seeking a high-performing and motivated R&I Contracts and Funding Manager to join the Group Research & Innovation Directorate at St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (GESH). This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of research across a multi-site acute, specialist and community care system serving 3.5 million people.

In this pivotal role, you will lead the negotiation, drafting, review and lifecycle management of a wide portfolio of research agreements--including clinical trials, collaborative studies, data-sharing, material transfer and multi-partner programmes--ensuring the Group remains compliant, agile and strategically positioned to deliver world-class research.

You will also oversee and develop the Group's approach to research funding, supporting investigators to secure external grants, driving proactive funding pipeline development, and ensuring effective post-award oversight in partnership with finance and operational teams.

This role is ideal for candidates who thrive in a fast-paced, complex, and highly collaborative environment, and who want to directly influence the growth of an ambitious, integrated NHS research system.

Main duties of the job

Research Contracts

• Lead the drafting, review, negotiation and execution of a wide range of research agreements (including MTAs, DTAs, CDAs, CTAs/mCTAs, SLAs and multi-partner agreements).
• Ensure contracts are legally robust, compliant with national frameworks (including UK GDPR, HTA, ICH-GCP, clinical trials regulations).
• Act an expert on contractual risk, governance, indemnity, IP,
• Represent the Group in high-level negotiations with industry sponsors, CROs, partner HEIs and national bodies (NIHR, DHSC, HRA).

Research Funding & Grants

• Support, oversee processes for funding calls, grant submissions, feasibility, costing and approvals across the Group.
• Work closely with finance colleagues on grant reporting, tracking, invoicing, financial compliance and sustainability.
• Identify emerging funding opportunities, advising researchers on readiness and strategic fit.

Systems Processes

• Lead the development, implementation of systems for tracking contract status, performance, and compliance.
• Maintain SOPs, policies, workflows and governance frameworks for contracting and funding functions.
• Maintenance of the Group -wide register of contractual documentation.

Leadership

• Provide line management and mentorship to the R&I Contracts & Funding Officer.
• Build strong working relationships with investigators, research teams, legal services, HEIs, NIHR networks and external partners.
• Provide training on research contracting, governance and funding processes to staff.

About us

St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.

At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.