Research & Innovation Manager

Job responsibilities

1. Research Management Responsibilities

1.1. Ensure that the core activities of the R&I Office, namely the review and issue of Local Confirmation of Capability and Capacity for hosted clinical trials, review and approval for trial amendments, the processing of clinical trial agreements and other contracts for signature and the archiving of clinical trial documentation are robustand completed to time.

1.2 Plan and implement a broad range of activities necessary to monitor, analyse and improve the performance of the hosted clinical trial service, adjusting existing strategy and reprioritising staff workloads in the R&I Office as necessary.

1.3 Work collaboratively within the Research Partnership Facilitator in relation to the effective and efficient delivery of research with commercial partners.

1.4 Where appropriate, organise and schedule applicable meetings, ensuring these meetings are accurately documented and any actions agreed are followed-up.

1.5 Where necessary for R&I Office to meet service requirements, undertake reviews for and issue Local Confirmation of Capability and Capacity for clinical trials and oversee approval of amendments to trials.

1.6 Be proactive in liaising with colleagues beyond the R&I Office to support service providers and research teams, in particular by acting as escalation person for research teams with service queries.

2. Development of Quality in Systems and Data

2.1. Responsible for the collation and maintenance of information so that clinical trials can be registered, tracked and validated on R&I systems/databases.

2.2. Responsible for ensuring that the information for the multiple fields for each clinical trial registered with R&I Office meets the current standards for R&I trial datasets.

2.3. Provide and support the regular production of system reports required on behalf of R&I.

2.4. Maintain close communication with the researchers involved with Christie-sponsored research so that they are aware of the status of their project.

2.5. Working with the R&I Quality Manager, responsible for relevant R&I policy and procedure implementation and development.

2.6. Leads on the engagement and communication with service users and stakeholders regarding relevant changes to policies and procedures.

2.7. Advise on, and when appropriate, challenge others to ensure the implementation of new practice within R&I and across the Trust which may have an impact on the effective and efficient delivery of clinical trials.

2.8. Provide input into the design of R&I systems and processes e.g. dashboards to ensure data outputs are fit for purpose and reliable.

3. Leadership

3.1 Provide oversight and take responsibility for the performance of the R&I Office in setting up and managing hosted clinical trials and ensuring processes are in place to deliver high quality data to each trial.

3.2 Where appropriate attend R&I meetings and represent R&I by presenting to and engaging with regional and national research organisations.

3.3 Provide supportive line management of staff within the R&I Office team, including recruitment, regular performance review and feedback, identification of development needs and measures to meet them, absence management, and reviewing and adjusting workloads to meet R&Is agreed priorities.

3.4 Take responsibility for identifying, assessing and reporting risks for the R&I Office hosted clinical trial function, for example by interpreting legal and external/internal policy changes, and participating as appropriate in the implementation of risk management measures across R&I.

3.5 Act as a role model to junior staff in undertaking essential training updates and other relevant courses in line with Trust and NHS requirements and in good time.

3.6 Communicate verbally and in writing to persuade and influence in order to foster and maintain relationships; to resolve conflict and difficulties as they arise; to explain complex and often sensitive information relating to Trust and R&I business and policy in an appropriate manner for target audience.

3.7 Budget accountability. Scope and cost new systems for managing clinical research developing business cases for presentation and recommendation to the R&I senior management team; and identify and participate in financial improvement and efficiency measures as required.

4. Knowledge

4.1 Maintain a strong working knowledge and understanding of research governance and regulatory requirements and

4.2 Provide expert guidance to colleagues and researchers on initiatives developed by the Trust, NHS, Health Research Authority and MHRA.

4.3 Maintain a strong working knowledge of clinical research funding arrangements within the NHS and the implications for clinical research, especially of the Income Costing Tool.

4.4 Maintain knowledge and understanding of local, regional and national organisations and their policies relevant to R&I.

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to post graduate level in scientific discipline OR equivalent experience

Desirable

• Experience of working within a health care system.
• Management qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in project management and able to independently deliver projects on target.
• Experience of research administration for clinical trials within the NHS, academic and/or commercial setting.
• Microsoft Office experience and use of performance reporting tools.
• Experience of managing a team
• Experience of identifying, assessing and contributing to the management of risk

Desirable

• Previous experience representing the sponsor/(s) of research.
• Experience of working across organisational boundaries
• Change management experience

Skills

Essential

• Ability to prioritise work with excellent organisational skills and minimal supervision.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and to organise own work load.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills including ability to guide difficult and contentious situations towards positive outcomes.
• Ability to explain complex regulatory and policy information and present in an appropriate format for target audience
• Assimilate complex information quickly and accurately, and provide robust yet pragmatic solutions where necessary.
• Strong leadership skills showing ability to motivate and empower others

Desirable

• IT and information skills- ability to proficiently use Microsoft Office applications.

Knowledge

Essential

• In depth and practical knowledge of research governance and regulatory requirements applicable to all stages of clinical trials.
• Knowledge of external organisations including R&I partners in the academic and commercial sectors.
• Comprehensive understanding of how legislation including data protection governs research practice in the NHS

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate The Christie's organisational values and behaviours.

Other

Essential

• Motivated, enthusiastic and confident even when challenged
• Flexible and positive approach to role.
• Strong team player.

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).