Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Head of CRDC Research Workforce, Learning and Capability

The closing date is 02 July 2025

Job summary

The Central and North West Midlands has been awarded funding by the NIHR to establish a Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC). Our Head of CRDC Workforce Strategy and Capability will play a pivotal role in the development of this regional collaborative as a centre of excellence dedicated to the delivery of commercial clinical research.

Hosted by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Research and Innovation Department we are seeking a dynamic and experienced workforce leader to build an expert clinical trials workforce capable of innovating in commercial trial delivery across our CRDC Hub and Spoke organisations. This individual will provide expertise in leading system-wide workforce capacity and capability initiatives, innovative workforce solutions and research-related staff development.

Main duties of the job

This is a senior leadership role within the CRDC based in MPFT working across the region. You will demonstrate exceptional leadership skills, be an effective people manager and have highly developed communication and interpersonal skills. You are required to provide expertise in system-wide development of workforce capacity & capability & innovative workforce solutions. They will ensure that the CRDC provides a high-quality service by developing, implementing and delivering an effective workforce planning, training and development function aligned to the UK Clinical Research Delivery Vision of a sustainable and supported research workforce.

A key element of this role is to ensure regular engagement across the executive Group and Operational teams since the workforce function spans all areas of CRDC performance and delivery. As the READY (Research Education and Development EquitY) programme lead, the post holder will be responsible for ensuring that the CRDC provides an exemplar infrastructure to support equitable development and training of the research workforce, expanding into new areas of service as required.

In collaboration with the CRDC Host, Centres and Spokes, the post holder is responsible for ensuring our research delivery workforce have the most up-to-date clinical research skills and professional development opportunities to support the innovative and effective delivery of commercial trials.

About us

By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;

  • Supporting your career development and progression
  • Excellent NHS Pension scheme
  • Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
  • Options for flexible working
  • Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days)
  • Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
  • If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
  • Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
  • Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
  • Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
  • Free car parking at all trust sites
  • Free flu vaccinations every year
  • Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)

We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Details

Date posted

18 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£62,215 to £72,293 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

3 years

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

301-JP-25-7286039

Job locations

St George's Hospital / Home working

Corporation Street

Stafford

ST16 3SR


Job description

Job responsibilities

Developing and delivering an effective workforce planning, learning and development (WLC) function within the Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) aligned to the UK Clinical Research Delivery Vision of a sustainable and supported research workforce.

Managing the READY Programme Management Office and central project delivery team to ensure equitable provision of training and skills development across CRDC Partners building an expert clinical trials workforce which are capable of innovating in commercial trial delivery.

Contributing to the overall strategic development and operational delivery of the CRDC as a member of the CRDC Executive Committee and Senior Leadership Team.

Under the direction/guidance of the Director of Research and Innovation, strategic leadership for CRDC WLC, providing expertise in system-wide development of workforce capacity and capability, innovative workforce solutions and research-related staff development.

Providing comprehensive and well governed assurance to the CDRC Host Trust Board and Committees on all aspects of the CRDC WLC activity including presenting at these Boards and Committees.

Ensuring successful delivery of the CRDC WLC function and READY project related to the Trusts key priorities.

Working with all project stakeholders to support planning and providing facilitation, advice and support for delivery and quality assurance of individual WLC projects and/or programmes.

Leading across the organisation in the adherence to the CRDC WLC strategy and the READY project and programme framework and methodology.

Ensuring equitable provision of training and skills development across CRDC Partners to build an expert clinical trials workforce which are capable of innovating in commercial trial delivery.

Developing the vision, strategy and delivery of WLC programmes across the CRDC.

Developing the maturity of WLC initiatives across the CRDC organisation through the leadership of the READY programme, establishing and supporting sustainable professional communities of practice and matrix management of staff supporting WLC initiatives aligned to emerging national policy.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Developing and delivering an effective workforce planning, learning and development (WLC) function within the Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) aligned to the UK Clinical Research Delivery Vision of a sustainable and supported research workforce.

Managing the READY Programme Management Office and central project delivery team to ensure equitable provision of training and skills development across CRDC Partners building an expert clinical trials workforce which are capable of innovating in commercial trial delivery.

Contributing to the overall strategic development and operational delivery of the CRDC as a member of the CRDC Executive Committee and Senior Leadership Team.

Under the direction/guidance of the Director of Research and Innovation, strategic leadership for CRDC WLC, providing expertise in system-wide development of workforce capacity and capability, innovative workforce solutions and research-related staff development.

Providing comprehensive and well governed assurance to the CDRC Host Trust Board and Committees on all aspects of the CRDC WLC activity including presenting at these Boards and Committees.

Ensuring successful delivery of the CRDC WLC function and READY project related to the Trusts key priorities.

Working with all project stakeholders to support planning and providing facilitation, advice and support for delivery and quality assurance of individual WLC projects and/or programmes.

Leading across the organisation in the adherence to the CRDC WLC strategy and the READY project and programme framework and methodology.

Ensuring equitable provision of training and skills development across CRDC Partners to build an expert clinical trials workforce which are capable of innovating in commercial trial delivery.

Developing the vision, strategy and delivery of WLC programmes across the CRDC.

Developing the maturity of WLC initiatives across the CRDC organisation through the leadership of the READY programme, establishing and supporting sustainable professional communities of practice and matrix management of staff supporting WLC initiatives aligned to emerging national policy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • ?Degree or equivalent in relevant health/science or workforce related subject

Desirable

  • ?Project/Programme management or quality improvement training

Experience

Essential

  • ?Experience of clinical trial / NHS research management at a senior level.

Desirable

  • ?Experience in commercial clinical trial delivery in the NHS
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • ?Degree or equivalent in relevant health/science or workforce related subject

Desirable

  • ?Project/Programme management or quality improvement training

Experience

Essential

  • ?Experience of clinical trial / NHS research management at a senior level.

Desirable

  • ?Experience in commercial clinical trial delivery in the NHS

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St George's Hospital / Home working

Corporation Street

Stafford

ST16 3SR


Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St George's Hospital / Home working

Corporation Street

Stafford

ST16 3SR


Employer's website

https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Director of Research and Innovation

Ruth Lambley-Burke

ruth.lambley-burke@mpft.nhs.uk

07811023823

Details

Date posted

18 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£62,215 to £72,293 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

3 years

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

301-JP-25-7286039

Job locations

St George's Hospital / Home working

Corporation Street

Stafford

ST16 3SR


Supporting documents

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