Job summary
We are looking for a highly motivated, experienced and enthusiastic leader at Consultant Level to help develop and deliver ambitious plans for the South East Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN).The South East RRDN will be one of 12 Regional Networks that will replace the existing Local Clinical Research Networks from 3 November 2025.
This is a part time role at 2PAs (02 FTE). The post is open to NHS Senior Medics working in Kent, Surrey or Sussex.
Main duties of the job
In collaboration with the RRDN Strategic Development & Operations Directors, the RRDN Health & Care Research Director will assist and support the development of the RRDN 3 year Strategic Plan which will align with national RDN strategic priorities and initiatives and translate these into deliverable priorities for our RRDN region.
Working with the clinical communities of practice, they will identify workforce development opportunities and thereby assist in increasing the research capacity and capability within the region and nationally, with particular emphasis on addressing the needs of the life sciences industry.
In collaboration with the RRDN Operations Directors the post holder will co-ordinate the provision of expert proactive advice regarding study design to optimise deliverability and assist in the identification of sites and Principal Investigators, and provide reactive advice and support where study delivery or performance is an issue.
Alongside their regional responsibilities, the RRDN Health & Care Research Director will co-develop and lead national programmes of work in collaboration with the RDN Co-ordinating Centre (RDNCC).
About us
Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.
We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.
Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.
Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo
Job description
Job responsibilities
The South East RRDN is hosted by the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and covers a foot print extending across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. We are actively promoting flexible working options, helping you to manage a work/life balance and operate a hybrid/flexible working policy, with a minimum of 1 day expected to be site based per week.
See attached the Job Description for full details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The South East RRDN is hosted by the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and covers a foot print extending across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. We are actively promoting flexible working options, helping you to manage a work/life balance and operate a hybrid/flexible working policy, with a minimum of 1 day expected to be site based per week.
See attached the Job Description for full details.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full GMC Registration
- Masters level qualification or equivalent
- Management qualification
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
- Experience of working in the health and care research sector, the health and social care service sector or academic environment at a senior level
- Comprehensive understanding of the UK research pathway and funding
- Experience of co-creating and implementing strategies to build capacity and capability for the delivery of health and care research
- Experience in the design and leadership of health or care research in the UK
- Experience of developing and implementing remedial actions to support study deliverability
- Experience of identifying the need for and developing professional workforce development needs
- Professional research leadership, both strategic and operational at a senior level
- Experience of working across complex organisational structures and effective matrix management
- 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
- Political astuteness and understanding of the health & social care context
- Comprehensive knowledge of programme sponsorship and management
- Experience of leading continuous improvement
Desirable
- Understanding of governance and legislative framework for clinical research in the NHS
- Executive level experience
- Experience of being a Chief or Principal Investigator for a health or care research study in the UK
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Full GMC Registration
- Masters level qualification or equivalent
- Management qualification
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
- Experience of working in the health and care research sector, the health and social care service sector or academic environment at a senior level
- Comprehensive understanding of the UK research pathway and funding
- Experience of co-creating and implementing strategies to build capacity and capability for the delivery of health and care research
- Experience in the design and leadership of health or care research in the UK
- Experience of developing and implementing remedial actions to support study deliverability
- Experience of identifying the need for and developing professional workforce development needs
- Professional research leadership, both strategic and operational at a senior level
- Experience of working across complex organisational structures and effective matrix management
- 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
- Political astuteness and understanding of the health & social care context
- Comprehensive knowledge of programme sponsorship and management
- Experience of leading continuous improvement
Desirable
- Understanding of governance and legislative framework for clinical research in the NHS
- Executive level experience
- Experience of being a Chief or Principal Investigator for a health or care research study in the UK
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
