Job summary
The Study Support Service Manager will assume a key leadership position in the Regional RDN (RRDN) Study Support Service, which will be seamlessly integrated within the collective national Study Support Service, which serves as the cornerstone of the NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN), facilitating the effective delivery of studies throughout the system while enhancing strategic capacity and capability.
Main duties of the job
The role will be entrusted with the delivery of critical services across a defined portfolio of specialties and settings. These encompass pre-approval services such as Planning and Placement Service/national cost and attribution tools, as well as post-approval services including portfolio oversight and on-request services. Central to the role is the cultivation of a robust knowledge base within the assigned portfolio area, achieved through the establishment of communities of practice with relevant study and site delivery teams. By facilitating the exchange of best practices, the post-holder will ensure optimal study performance as required. The role will also work in collaboration with Regional Specialty and Setting Leads, actively engaging in regional and national improvement projects, aligning efforts with strategic objectives, and fostering continuous improvement (CI) across the network.
The role will line manage a team of Study Support Service Facilitators. Line management of staff members will include undertaking staff reviews to identify training and development needs, and establishing how those needs will be met, and managing performance against agreed objectives. The postholder will ensure the same review processes take place for all staff with the defined function via appropriate line management arrangements and that skills and capabilities exist to meet current and future business needs
About us
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe - what better place to shape and develop your leadership career. We deliver care to over 1 million patients & users each year through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. Our 30,000 plus strong workforce is central to our success and innovation.You will play a pivotal part in supporting our operational excellence and strategic ambitions. You'll work collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical teams, driving improvements that enhance patient experience, staff wellbeing, and service efficiency across the Trust.MFT offers a dynamic, inclusive environment where your leadership, ideas, and expertise are valued. You'll have access to professional development, digital tools and opportunities to contribute to transformational projects that shape the future of healthcare delivery.We are committed to supporting your growth and wellbeing, recognising the vital role you play in our organisation's success.Join us and help shape the future of our Trust--make a real difference to our teams, our services, and our communities, and fundamentally, our patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guidethat sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that youre even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, youll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guidethat sits with the Job Description and Person Specification. This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information youll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOUfor our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your applicationespecially personal statements and responses to role-specific questionsis written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post.As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Postgraduate qualification (eg. Postgraduate Diploma) in a relevant subject or equivalent level of experience.
- Degree
- Evidence of continual professional developmen
Desirable
- Degree in health or science discipline
- Training in project management
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Comprehensive understanding of research, the NHS and the wider health and care system including associated responsibilities to the public and patients
- Comprehensive understanding of life science industry's needs and requirements with regard to health and care research
- High level of understanding of governance and legislative framework for clinical research in the NHS
- Understanding of the UK research pathway and funding
- Specialist knowledge of RDN Portfolio eligibility (including terms and conditions) and of cost attribution (ACoRD, SoECATs, NCVR)
- 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
- Knowledge of methods, tools and techniques for problem-solving and continuous improvement
- Experience of health and care research management, including the support of studies pre-approval and post-approval
- Experience of facilitating meetings
- Experience of delivering health and care research support services
- Experience of managing high quality customer centric services for commercial and non-commercial customers
- Experience of managing effective collaborations and partnerships
- Experience of supporting the implementation of business plans
- Experience of facilitating continuous improvement projects
- Project management experience, working as part of a team to deliver complex projects involving multiple agencies and individuals to tight deadlines
Desirable
- Professional operational research leadership at system level
- Experience of direct line management and managing colleagues to deliver clear objectives and performance targets
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrable leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills
- Proven interpersonal skills to work with clinical and management colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations
- Able to adapt to any arising projects/tasks that may be required within the remit of the post to promote research and improve processes as set down in approved SOPs
- Strong problem-solving skills, including a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential future issues
- Ability to communicate difficult information both orally and in writing, both internally to colleagues and externally to a range of audiences
- Ability to analyse, interpret and present highly complex information
- Ability to deliver complex projects involving multiple agencies and individuals
- Excellent IT skills, particularly in the use of web applications, Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
- Empathetic approach to resolving conflict, with the ability to work with sensitivity and tact
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Postgraduate qualification (eg. Postgraduate Diploma) in a relevant subject or equivalent level of experience.
- Degree
- Evidence of continual professional developmen
Desirable
- Degree in health or science discipline
- Training in project management
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Comprehensive understanding of research, the NHS and the wider health and care system including associated responsibilities to the public and patients
- Comprehensive understanding of life science industry's needs and requirements with regard to health and care research
- High level of understanding of governance and legislative framework for clinical research in the NHS
- Understanding of the UK research pathway and funding
- Specialist knowledge of RDN Portfolio eligibility (including terms and conditions) and of cost attribution (ACoRD, SoECATs, NCVR)
- 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
- Knowledge of methods, tools and techniques for problem-solving and continuous improvement
- Experience of health and care research management, including the support of studies pre-approval and post-approval
- Experience of facilitating meetings
- Experience of delivering health and care research support services
- Experience of managing high quality customer centric services for commercial and non-commercial customers
- Experience of managing effective collaborations and partnerships
- Experience of supporting the implementation of business plans
- Experience of facilitating continuous improvement projects
- Project management experience, working as part of a team to deliver complex projects involving multiple agencies and individuals to tight deadlines
Desirable
- Professional operational research leadership at system level
- Experience of direct line management and managing colleagues to deliver clear objectives and performance targets
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Demonstrable leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills
- Proven interpersonal skills to work with clinical and management colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations
- Able to adapt to any arising projects/tasks that may be required within the remit of the post to promote research and improve processes as set down in approved SOPs
- Strong problem-solving skills, including a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential future issues
- Ability to communicate difficult information both orally and in writing, both internally to colleagues and externally to a range of audiences
- Ability to analyse, interpret and present highly complex information
- Ability to deliver complex projects involving multiple agencies and individuals
- Excellent IT skills, particularly in the use of web applications, Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
- Empathetic approach to resolving conflict, with the ability to work with sensitivity and tact
Additional information
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).
