Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to impact the international and national landscape of commercial clinical trials, transform and supercharge the way UK deliver commercial research.
A Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) Network is being established to coordinate activities across a UK network of CRDCs, providing national leadership, alignment and strategic engagement, and enhancing the capacity and efficiency of commercial research delivery across the centres.
It will be hosted and led by Leicester Hospitals NHS Trust.
You will join us as at the beginning as we establish this UK-leading, person-centred Network, ensuring equitable access, diverse recruitment, and efficient, gold-standard, aligned trial delivery. We will prioritise improving NHS and patient access to trials and accelerating approval of innovations, working closely with the devolved nations and existing national NIHR and commercial clinical trials infrastructure.
The Operational Program Manager will lead Operational Services, Data, Activity & Performance and Workforce Development themes transforming Network targets into actionable plans and delivering operational support across CRDC UK Network (managing own project workload).
You will be pivotal to the optimisation of commercial trial methods to reduce study set-up and delivery times, and harmonisation of data (coding and systems), including UK-wide alignment.
**interviews to take place at the beginning of October 2025 (exact date to be confirmed)
Main duties of the job
You will lead, coordinate and deliver operational activities across the CDRC Network as part of the Network Operational Management Team, working closely with the Strategic and Inclusion-Engagement Program Managers and oversee operational aspects to ensure CRDC UK Network objectives are met.
Network activities will be organised into nine Themes overseen by a matrix of CRDC Directors and specialists drawn from the Network. Activities will be led and coordinated by the Network Operational Management Team led by the Network Operational Director.
Although predominantly remote working, it is anticipated that the postholder will travel to the Network host and CRDC sites (or their partner institutions), and regular travel to Network in-person meetings will be expected and supported.
About us
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
- high-quality care for all,
- being a great place to work,
- partnerships for impact, and
- research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
- we are compassionate,
- we are proud,
- we are inclusive, and
- we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:
http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role will also serve as an external representative for the CRDC UK Network in all operational-related activities, driving operational initiatives and ensuring high-quality and consistent operations across the Network.
KEY RESULT AREAS
Operational & Performance Management
- Coordinate the Network Operational Team, responsible for delivery oversight, performance management and cross-Network collaboration.
- Facilitate and coordinate working groups to deliver cross-CRDC Network theme activities for Operational Services, Data, Activity & Performance, and Skills, Training and Workforce Development.
- Plan and organise networks services and facilities that support the delivery of CRDC site targets for commercial research, as described in the CRDC UK Network strategy. This will involve liaison with the Network Operational Director, Strategic and Inclusion-Engagement Program Managers, CRDC site leads and delegates, and delivery teams across the UK.
- Management oversight of CRDC UK Network budgets and accounts effectively and flexibly, in liaison with the CRDC UK Network Finance Manager to control all related expenditure to ensure delivery of commitments to support the CRDC UK Networks business plan and infrastructure needs, while ensuring that all financial transactions conform to Financial Regulations. This will require an appreciation of longer-term issues and periodically a review of financial procedures to ensure both effectiveness and efficiency in all areas of financial management.
- Work collaboratively with the Network Operational Director in such a way that the business plans are fulfilled and that there is adherence to the budget, quality and governance frameworks for research and finance and other performance targets.
- Work with the UHL Corporate R&I office on centralised processes such as study/recruitment data, performance monitoring and management, management systems and tools.
- Oversee Network Key Performance Indicator (KPI) data collection and prepare annual reports for agencies including the statutory reporting to the NIHR.
- Use analytical skills to compare and interpret complex data and information to inform decision making.
- Work in partnership and in parallel with the NIHR infrastructure at network sites nationally and with infrastructure co-ordinating centres to ensure that infrastructure objectives are met collaboratively; this will require joint utilisation of resource, joint planning and joint measurement of KPIs.
- Ensure management protocols, process and monitoring arrangements are in place so that the quality of the service and performance relative to targets / plans objectives / can be monitored and corrective action taken.
- Lead on complaints recording procedures for the CRDC UK Network and liaise with appropriate officers in the host trust to respond and resolve any complaints.
- Ensure that the most efficient use is made of existing available resources and maximise opportunities within the network for income generation, both internally and externally.
- Act as a role model and teacher, providing mentorship and support and demonstrate exemplary practice to all members of the network team.
- Ensure effective interaction with personnel services regarding Network staffing issues associated with performance, recruitment and retention of all staff and effective maintenance of departmental staff records.
Health & Safety and Security
Maintain and develop an environment and culture that improves health, safety and security.
Regularly assesses risks to health, safety and security using the results to promote and improve practice.
Supports a psychologically safe culture in which individuals feel able to report incidents and that learning takes place from all incidents and complaints.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Support implementation and delivery of the Network EDI Strategy in collaboration with the Inclusion-Engagement Program Manager, Networks Research Inclusion leads and individual CRDCs strategies.
- Making research more diverse is critical to addressing persistent health inequalities. The CRDC UK Network will work with and support national priorities, and support CRDCs to deliver research in more diverse and under-served populations,
- The post holder will ensure that, wherever possible, research is delivered where the patients with the greatest need are located. This means increasing the capacity and confidence to deliver research in areas with the highest disease burdens and levels of deprivation. By boosting capacity and actively reaching out to engage more diverse communities, through trusted channels, the network can ensure it better serves the healthcare needs of our communities in all locations nationals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role will also serve as an external representative for the CRDC UK Network in all operational-related activities, driving operational initiatives and ensuring high-quality and consistent operations across the Network.
KEY RESULT AREAS
Operational & Performance Management
- Coordinate the Network Operational Team, responsible for delivery oversight, performance management and cross-Network collaboration.
- Facilitate and coordinate working groups to deliver cross-CRDC Network theme activities for Operational Services, Data, Activity & Performance, and Skills, Training and Workforce Development.
- Plan and organise networks services and facilities that support the delivery of CRDC site targets for commercial research, as described in the CRDC UK Network strategy. This will involve liaison with the Network Operational Director, Strategic and Inclusion-Engagement Program Managers, CRDC site leads and delegates, and delivery teams across the UK.
- Management oversight of CRDC UK Network budgets and accounts effectively and flexibly, in liaison with the CRDC UK Network Finance Manager to control all related expenditure to ensure delivery of commitments to support the CRDC UK Networks business plan and infrastructure needs, while ensuring that all financial transactions conform to Financial Regulations. This will require an appreciation of longer-term issues and periodically a review of financial procedures to ensure both effectiveness and efficiency in all areas of financial management.
- Work collaboratively with the Network Operational Director in such a way that the business plans are fulfilled and that there is adherence to the budget, quality and governance frameworks for research and finance and other performance targets.
- Work with the UHL Corporate R&I office on centralised processes such as study/recruitment data, performance monitoring and management, management systems and tools.
- Oversee Network Key Performance Indicator (KPI) data collection and prepare annual reports for agencies including the statutory reporting to the NIHR.
- Use analytical skills to compare and interpret complex data and information to inform decision making.
- Work in partnership and in parallel with the NIHR infrastructure at network sites nationally and with infrastructure co-ordinating centres to ensure that infrastructure objectives are met collaboratively; this will require joint utilisation of resource, joint planning and joint measurement of KPIs.
- Ensure management protocols, process and monitoring arrangements are in place so that the quality of the service and performance relative to targets / plans objectives / can be monitored and corrective action taken.
- Lead on complaints recording procedures for the CRDC UK Network and liaise with appropriate officers in the host trust to respond and resolve any complaints.
- Ensure that the most efficient use is made of existing available resources and maximise opportunities within the network for income generation, both internally and externally.
- Act as a role model and teacher, providing mentorship and support and demonstrate exemplary practice to all members of the network team.
- Ensure effective interaction with personnel services regarding Network staffing issues associated with performance, recruitment and retention of all staff and effective maintenance of departmental staff records.
Health & Safety and Security
Maintain and develop an environment and culture that improves health, safety and security.
Regularly assesses risks to health, safety and security using the results to promote and improve practice.
Supports a psychologically safe culture in which individuals feel able to report incidents and that learning takes place from all incidents and complaints.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Support implementation and delivery of the Network EDI Strategy in collaboration with the Inclusion-Engagement Program Manager, Networks Research Inclusion leads and individual CRDCs strategies.
- Making research more diverse is critical to addressing persistent health inequalities. The CRDC UK Network will work with and support national priorities, and support CRDCs to deliver research in more diverse and under-served populations,
- The post holder will ensure that, wherever possible, research is delivered where the patients with the greatest need are located. This means increasing the capacity and confidence to deliver research in areas with the highest disease burdens and levels of deprivation. By boosting capacity and actively reaching out to engage more diverse communities, through trusted channels, the network can ensure it better serves the healthcare needs of our communities in all locations nationals.
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level or equivalent qualification/equivalent level of experience
- Relevant professional and/or management qualification
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- Master's Degree in relevant subject
Experience
Essential
- Significant management experience in a clinical research environment with at least 5 years in a role which has included:
- Management of staff at several levels*
- Significant budgetary management
- Meeting targets and delivering an efficient service*
- Strategic/business planning
- Initiating and leading effective service improvements.
- Facilities development and management
- Commercial clinical trials delivery*
- Maintaining confidentiality and security of sensitive information
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate high level negotiation and leadership skills
Skills
Essential
- IT skills including use of the internet, word-processing, spreadsheets and data bases with experience of manipulating data
- Knowledge and understanding of accounting processes and financial systems
Planning and organisation skills
Essential
- Computer literate and able to use digital tools and systems for data monitoring and management
- Drive efficient delivery of workload to tight timescales and under pressure
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
- All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Degree level or equivalent qualification/equivalent level of experience
- Relevant professional and/or management qualification
- Evidence of continuous professional development
Desirable
- Master's Degree in relevant subject
Experience
Essential
- Significant management experience in a clinical research environment with at least 5 years in a role which has included:
- Management of staff at several levels*
- Significant budgetary management
- Meeting targets and delivering an efficient service*
- Strategic/business planning
- Initiating and leading effective service improvements.
- Facilities development and management
- Commercial clinical trials delivery*
- Maintaining confidentiality and security of sensitive information
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Essential
- Demonstrate high level negotiation and leadership skills
Skills
Essential
- IT skills including use of the internet, word-processing, spreadsheets and data bases with experience of manipulating data
- Knowledge and understanding of accounting processes and financial systems
Planning and organisation skills
Essential
- Computer literate and able to use digital tools and systems for data monitoring and management
- Drive efficient delivery of workload to tight timescales and under pressure
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
- All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others
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.
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.
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).
