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.
This Network, engaging and coordinating all CRDCs across the UK, 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.
Interviews will take place between the dates 6th - 17th October 2025.
Main duties of the job
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.
This is a key role as a senior leader and ambassador for the CRDC UK Network, contributing to the ongoing development of the vision, direction and strategic aims for the CRDC UK-wide approach and translating this into deliverable priorities.
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
The CRDC UK Network Operational Director will be responsible for the overall delivery and management of the CRDC UK Network, providing industry with a high quality, professional, coherent, efficient and standardised approach to bespoke commercial clinical trials across the four nations CRDC sites.
The Network Operational Director will also co-develop and lead national programmes of work on behalf of the CRDC UK Network Senior Management Team and act as the central point of contact for industry sponsors.
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The CRDC UK Network Operational Director will be responsible for the overall delivery and management of the CRDC UK Network, providing industry with a high quality, professional, coherent, efficient and standardised approach to bespoke commercial clinical trials across the four nations CRDC sites.
The Network Operational Director will also co-develop and lead national programmes of work on behalf of the CRDC UK Network Senior Management Team and act as the central point of contact for industry sponsors.
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.
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Masters level qualification or equivalent
- Executive level management qualification
Experience
Essential
- Comprehensive understanding of commercial research, the NHS and the wider health and care system including associated responsibilities to the public and patients
- Experience of working in the health and care research sector, the health and social care service sector or academic environment at a senior level*
- Professional research leadership, both strategic and operational at a senior level*
- Experience of working across complex organisational structures and effective matrix management
- Proven senior level experience of leading and delivering complex change and strategy development programmes in a politically ? Executive level experience Job Title: Band 9 Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) UK Network Operational Director Date Finalised: Version P1, 3.7.25 Page 3 sensitive and complex environment
- Significant experience of managing a large budget with solid knowledge of financial process requirements
- Experience of leading business planning cycles from concept to delivery
- Direct experience of business planning and robust financial management at appropriate scale
- Knowledge of national systems, structures and processes for supporting clinical research in NHS and non -NHS settings
- Experience of working collaboratively and in partnership with other organisations, with demonstrable experience of delivery across organisational boundaries
- Evidence of managing effective collaborations and partnerships
- Good understanding of performance management techniques
- Knowledge of utilising Business Intelligence solutions to work within a performance management framework
- Political astuteness and understanding of the health & social care context
- Comprehensive knowledge of programme sponsorship and management
- Experience of leading continuous improvement
Skills
Essential
- Highly developed leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills with ability to demonstrate these in highly political environments
- Demonstrable ability to use autonomy to undertake actions as a result of own interpretation of policy and guidance, providing a source of expert advice to the organisation / Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues
- Highly developed leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills with ability to demonstrate these in highly political environments*
- Proven interpersonal skills to work with clinical and management colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations and the ability to develop strong working relationships with senior stakeholders
- Ability to deal with challenging situations in a formal setting
- Strong external communications skills in a politically sensitive environment with knowledge of and experience in handling media relations
- Advanced negotiation skills to reconcile stakeholder organisation expectations of financial allocations and within challenging fiscal environments
- Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious information orally and in writing, both internally and externally, to a range of audiences
- Extensive experience of delivering presentations to large groups of stakeholders in often pressured and politically sensitive environments to a high Job Title: Band 9 Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) UK Network Operational Director Date Finalised: Version P1, 3.7.25 Page 10 standard (Board level quality
- Ability to analyse and interpret highly complex information to make judgements regarding a range of highly complex management issues
- Strong problem solving skills
- Ability to grasp critical issues and distil them into clear arguments/cases and be able to articulate these verbally or in written form
- Ability to plan, manage, adjust and deliver complex projects involving multiple agencies and individuals and a broad range of activities to tight deadlines
- Ability to work independently / Ability to understand the long term or widespread implications of decisions
- Good IT skills, particularly in use of Web applications and MS Office applications
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.
Person Specification
Training and Qualifications
Essential
- Masters level qualification or equivalent
- Executive level management qualification
Experience
Essential
- Comprehensive understanding of commercial research, the NHS and the wider health and care system including associated responsibilities to the public and patients
- Experience of working in the health and care research sector, the health and social care service sector or academic environment at a senior level*
- Professional research leadership, both strategic and operational at a senior level*
- Experience of working across complex organisational structures and effective matrix management
- Proven senior level experience of leading and delivering complex change and strategy development programmes in a politically ? Executive level experience Job Title: Band 9 Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) UK Network Operational Director Date Finalised: Version P1, 3.7.25 Page 3 sensitive and complex environment
- Significant experience of managing a large budget with solid knowledge of financial process requirements
- Experience of leading business planning cycles from concept to delivery
- Direct experience of business planning and robust financial management at appropriate scale
- Knowledge of national systems, structures and processes for supporting clinical research in NHS and non -NHS settings
- Experience of working collaboratively and in partnership with other organisations, with demonstrable experience of delivery across organisational boundaries
- Evidence of managing effective collaborations and partnerships
- Good understanding of performance management techniques
- Knowledge of utilising Business Intelligence solutions to work within a performance management framework
- Political astuteness and understanding of the health & social care context
- Comprehensive knowledge of programme sponsorship and management
- Experience of leading continuous improvement
Skills
Essential
- Highly developed leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills with ability to demonstrate these in highly political environments
- Demonstrable ability to use autonomy to undertake actions as a result of own interpretation of policy and guidance, providing a source of expert advice to the organisation / Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues
- Highly developed leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills with ability to demonstrate these in highly political environments*
- Proven interpersonal skills to work with clinical and management colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations and the ability to develop strong working relationships with senior stakeholders
- Ability to deal with challenging situations in a formal setting
- Strong external communications skills in a politically sensitive environment with knowledge of and experience in handling media relations
- Advanced negotiation skills to reconcile stakeholder organisation expectations of financial allocations and within challenging fiscal environments
- Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious information orally and in writing, both internally and externally, to a range of audiences
- Extensive experience of delivering presentations to large groups of stakeholders in often pressured and politically sensitive environments to a high Job Title: Band 9 Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) UK Network Operational Director Date Finalised: Version P1, 3.7.25 Page 10 standard (Board level quality
- Ability to analyse and interpret highly complex information to make judgements regarding a range of highly complex management issues
- Strong problem solving skills
- Ability to grasp critical issues and distil them into clear arguments/cases and be able to articulate these verbally or in written form
- Ability to plan, manage, adjust and deliver complex projects involving multiple agencies and individuals and a broad range of activities to tight deadlines
- Ability to work independently / Ability to understand the long term or widespread implications of decisions
- Good IT skills, particularly in use of Web applications and MS Office applications
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.
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).
