Job summary
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is one of the leading NHS Trusts in the country
for research performance, hosting multiple NIHR-funded programmes and
managing a number of major national research programmes. In 2024/25 we recruited over 22,000
participants into research projects and our live research portfolio stands at
over 1400 projects. Alongside this we
have a large volume of projects in the local setup and approvals stage.
Research
and Innovation strives for continuous improvement and is focussing on
improving the timeframes within which studies progress through the local
approvals process. To support this work, we are looking to recruit an
individual who will ensure research receives local approval to begin within
LTHT in an efficient, appropriate, and accurate manner. They will support the
central R&I and research delivery teams involved in this process,
ensuring HRA procedures are correctly followed and unnecessary barriers are
addressed, where appropriate, to help the department meet our challenging
KPIs.
The
successful applicant will need to demonstrate a customer-focused approach, be a self-starter, and bring an
entrepreneurial mindset. They will be expected to work effectively within a
matrix management environment across multiple teams to help deliver the
Trusts ambitious strategic targets for Research and Innovation.
Expected Shortlisting
Date
11/09/2025
Planned Interview
Date
18/09/2025
Main duties of the job
The
key responsibility of the post-holder is to lead and direct all aspects of
supporting R&I approval processes for research across Leeds Teaching
Hospitals NHS Trust. Duties include direct management of the study approvals
team (approx. 7 staff) and working collaboratively across R&I with a team
of experienced research nurses and other staff to enable the commencement of
commercial and non-commercial research projects.
The
post-holder will be responsible for leading the R&I approvals process for
both commercial and non-commercial research and oversee the coordination and
management of all activities required to prepare studies for activation,
working with support departments, the research business management team, RDIT,
feasibility, and the research contracts manager. They will serve as the primary
R&I contact point for all internal and external parties advising on the
process for approvals required in LTHT.
This
role will involve leading the administrative processes required to prepare
commercial and non-commercial research within the portfolio, and providing
day-to-day supervision of 4 R&I Coordinators, 3 R&I Clinical Trials
Assistants. In addition, the post-holder will support the Research Governance
managers in creating a highly efficient and streamlined pathway, and in
developing and implementing team standard operating procedures and supporting
documents/flowcharts to assist clinicians in navigating the approvals process.
About us
Research
is at the heart of our Trust. Leeds Teaching Hospitals is involved in
research at all levels, developing and trialling new treatments for patients.
We believe that being involved in cutting-edge research helps us provide
better care to our patients.
Over
the next 5 years, we aim to be the best Trust to deliver high-quality
clinical research and to champion research amongst our staff. We also aim to
support and grow our world-class clinical infrastructure and assets for
research and innovation.
We
have a very proactive Research Academy. It offers an extensive programme of
education and training tailored to meet the needs of individuals, teams
involved in clinical research delivery in Health and Social Care.
Our
five Trust values are part of what make us different. They have been
developed by our staff. They are:
-
Patient-centred
-
Collaborative
-
Fair
-
Accountable
-
Empowered
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals is committed to our proces
Leeds
Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk'
members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts
are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove
adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the
shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this
process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any
questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our
process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new
roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve
the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If
you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle,
please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named
contact if you have any questions.
Please see the attached job description for further information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our
process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new
roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve
the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If
you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle,
please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named
contact if you have any questions.
Please see the attached job description for further information.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a clinical trials setting or health service administration.
- Experience of maintaining electronic databases.
- Understanding of budgets and financial planning for commercial and non-commercial research.
- Experience of supervising a team of staff.
- Knowledge and understanding of the need for and benefits of clinical research.
- Evidence of working in an organisation which includes interaction with multiple departments or organisations.
- Experience within a clinical trials setting.
- Excellent presentation skills
Desirable
- Project management skills
- Experience of managing contentious issues and managing conflict
- Experience in an R&I setting
- Experience of working in the NHS and in particular working alongside medical and nursing staff
- Knowledge of data protection issues
- Experience of study design including protocols and case report forms
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent, or be able to demonstrate relevant experience commensurate with this post
Desirable
- Clinical research qualification
- Management Qualification or training
- Project management qualification
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Effective communication skills with all levels within multi-disciplinary team.
- Participate in and contribute to team discussions.
- Able to motivate self and other team members.
- Commitment to achieving the objectives of the Research and Innovation Department.
- Able to prioritise and manage time effectively.
- Strong influencing, leadership and motivational skills.
- Professional attitude to work, diplomatic and calm under pressure.
- Effective communication skills, able to communicate at all levels and ability to provide and receive complex information
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
- Attention to detail, Computer literate.
- Experience of managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Excellent negotiation skills.
- Proactive and flexible approach.
- Ability to work within the principles and broad policies of research using own discretion
- Effective organisational skills.
Desirable
- Experience in negotiating clinical trials costs
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary), including clearance on blood borne viruses in compliance with Trust policy.
- Flexibility to work across different sites if required.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a clinical trials setting or health service administration.
- Experience of maintaining electronic databases.
- Understanding of budgets and financial planning for commercial and non-commercial research.
- Experience of supervising a team of staff.
- Knowledge and understanding of the need for and benefits of clinical research.
- Evidence of working in an organisation which includes interaction with multiple departments or organisations.
- Experience within a clinical trials setting.
- Excellent presentation skills
Desirable
- Project management skills
- Experience of managing contentious issues and managing conflict
- Experience in an R&I setting
- Experience of working in the NHS and in particular working alongside medical and nursing staff
- Knowledge of data protection issues
- Experience of study design including protocols and case report forms
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent, or be able to demonstrate relevant experience commensurate with this post
Desirable
- Clinical research qualification
- Management Qualification or training
- Project management qualification
Skills & behaviours
Essential
- Effective communication skills with all levels within multi-disciplinary team.
- Participate in and contribute to team discussions.
- Able to motivate self and other team members.
- Commitment to achieving the objectives of the Research and Innovation Department.
- Able to prioritise and manage time effectively.
- Strong influencing, leadership and motivational skills.
- Professional attitude to work, diplomatic and calm under pressure.
- Effective communication skills, able to communicate at all levels and ability to provide and receive complex information
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
- Attention to detail, Computer literate.
- Experience of managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Excellent negotiation skills.
- Proactive and flexible approach.
- Ability to work within the principles and broad policies of research using own discretion
- Effective organisational skills.
Desirable
- Experience in negotiating clinical trials costs
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary), including clearance on blood borne viruses in compliance with Trust policy.
- Flexibility to work across different sites if required.
