National Institute for Health Research

Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre

Head of Medical Directorate

The National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre is a hosted organisation provided through a partnership of:

  • University of Leeds
  • Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
  • Imperial College London
  • King’s College London
  • Newcastle University
  • University of Liverpool
  • PA Consulting Group

National Institute for Health Research

Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre

Head of Medical Directorate 1.0 FTE

London based

In this new and exciting role you will lead on the coordination of directorate business and the delivery of high profile projects working alongside the Medical Director of the Clinical Research Network (CRN). You will support the Medical Director to deliver the national priorities and activities of the directorate by coordinating the work of the six CRN Coordinating Centre (CC) Specialty Cluster Teams which are geographically dispersed. Leading the development and implementation of a wide range of initiatives and projects on behalf of the directorate you will manage governance and project pathways from idea to dissemination.

You will possessexcellent and well developed budget and people management skills and will ensure financial probity, dealing with complex negotiations and stakeholder management. Working closely with a wide range of organisations and individuals, you will have effective interpersonal and written skills and ability to network effectively and establish and maintain strong, dynamic working relationships.

With a detailed understanding of the NHS landscape, the NIHR and government health research strategy, you will manage complex interdependent work programmes with originality and imagination working seamlessly across interwoven organisations, often with competing priorities. With strategic oversight you will have an innovative approach to complex problems, will be solution focused and posess strong diplomatic, influencing and negotiation skills.

The CRN CC is delivered through an Alliance of NHS and university partners led by the University of Leeds and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. The University of Leeds will be the employing organisation for this post.

University Grade 9(£48,801 - £55,998 p.a plus London weighting, if applicable) depending upon qualifications and experience

The University of Leeds is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offers a range of family friendly policies which can currently be found at ( The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN and holds the Bronze award.

Informal enquiries should be directed toProfessor Nick Lemoine, CRN CC Medical Director

General enquiries regarding your online application should be directed to Claire Porteus, HR

Job Ref:MHNCC1061Closing Date: 14 October 2016

Context and Purpose of the Post

  • The Medical Directorate provides national level clinical research leadership for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN). Our clinical leaders work as ambassadors of the NIHR CRN, engaging with external stakeholders and customers to further the strategic aims of the NIHR CRN.
  • The Head of Medical Directorate will provide high level administrative support to the Medical Director and Medical Directorate coordinating the work of the clinical research leadership groups and providing a central point of contact for queries. The post holder will also be responsible for the robust management and timely delivery of a wide range of projects within the Medical Directorate.

Medical Directorate and Specialties

  • Work with senior CRN staff, including Specialty Cluster Leads and Assistant Specialty Cluster Leads to develop strategy and operational plans to ensure the Network is ready and able to deliver pipeline/future clinical research studies. Facilitate plans to exploit the emerging technologies and innovations identified by our alliance HEI partners who host the Specialty Cluster Hubs for the benefit of clinical research delivery.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the clinical research environment, positively influencing and translating changes in that environment into appropriate changes in the NIHR CRN, to ensure the CRN remains at the forefront of clinical research internationally.
  • Work with the Specialty Cluster Leads to provide leadership and support to National Clinical Specialty Leads, their Specialty Groups and other national clinical communities of practice.
  • Play a key role in identifying opportunities to strengthen the network for Specialties, for collaboration with other national stakeholders, and for seeking out opportunities to engage with the NHS, funders and the life sciences industry.
  • Liaise and forge partnerships with Royal Colleges, Key Academic and Clinical leaders throughout the United Kingdom to enable the smooth working of the directorate and the facilitation of CRN Business on a National level.
  • Provide specialist guidance, support and advice to a range of stakeholders and key high level committees;
  • Play a key role in fostering collaborative linkages and synergies with all relevant strands of the wider NIHR infrastructures and family in support of the Directorate and relevant National Specialty groups
  • Lead and contribute to the development of the Medical Directorate strategy, drawing in views from key stakeholders to shape the direction of travel.
  • Ensure that the NIHR CRN develops and implements plans to ensure the Medical Directorate is aligned and coordinated with a consistency across the six national specialty clusters, hosted through five higher education institutions within the consortium.
  • Lead, develop, negotiate and influence key decision making to develop consistent approaches working with senior leadership teams throughout the six specialty cluster offices.
  • Work with the Workforce Development function to support the professional development of CRN staff delivering research in the Directorate in order to ensure that training and education provision is appropriate and sufficient to meet the needs of the CRN workforce
  • Promote and represent the NIHR CRN and Division nationally and internationally, attending stakeholder conferences and meetings where appropriate
  • Continuously review, develop and improve working arrangements, communications and operational policies and procedures in the medical directorate to ensure that they are effective and are responsive to current priorities and needs.
  • Monitor the progress and performance of specialty clusters on behalf of the Medical Director reviewing systems activities, including any relevant Key Performance Indicators. As required, identify and initiate corrective actions.
  • Play a key role in fostering collaborative linkages and synergies with all relevant strands of the wider NIHR infrastructures and family in support of the Directorate, Specialty Clusters and relevant National Specialty groups
  • Maintain the CRNCC policy framework in respect of the CRN Specialties and Specialty Clusters, including nomenclature and clustering of Specialties, and liaise with the Department of Health in respect of necessary authorization

Project Management

  • Provide robust project management and delivery, including project feasibility, start-up and implementation. When applicable establish project boards; project initiation documents with defined objectives, milestones, measures of success and working standards.
  • Manage project risks, develop and maintain a risk register.
  • Manage the identification and measurement of project benefits realised throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Assist in the definition of project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility
  • Plan and monitor project resource requirements; financial and people.
  • Produce and maintain project documentation including the production of project updates and reports (including final project reports) using appropriate visualisation techniques.
  • Manage the successful delivery of projects: meet objectives, deliver to time, to quality standards and within budget. Ensure project outcomes are embedded as business as usual.
  • Motivate, support and develop project teams (including membership from outside the CRN) to ensure successful completion of objectives.
  • Assist in the development, review and continuous improvement of project management frameworks and systems. These will include project governance, risk assessment and management, finance and resource management, team management, planning, monitoring and reporting.

Staff Management

  • Coordinate any support staff allocated to specific projects to ensure the appropriate management of workloads and tasks.
  • Demonstrate the capabilities in the University of Leeds leadership and management standard ensuring that appropriate training is identified and undertaken to enable you (and any leaders and managers you have responsibility for) to achieve this.
  • Champion best management practice through personal example and leadership; continuously develop high quality management skills to meet present and future business needs.

Working Relationships and Communications

  • Build and maintain strong, flexible, dynamic and effective working relationships with:
  • colleagues at all levels of the Clinical Research Network, including Executive Directors;
  • members of stakeholder organisations, in particular the Department of Health, the UK Clinical Research Collaboration, devolved administrations, the NHS R&D Forum, industry organisations, research funding bodies, clinical trials units, service users, professional bodies and organisations.
  • Act as a senior point of reference for internal and external queries on all aspects of the CRN CC Medical Directorate activities.
  • Develop effective working relationships (working closely with the business development team) with relevant funders delivering clinical research in the NHS with the aim of increasing the quantity and performance of high quality non-commercial and commercial clinical research conducted in the UK.
  • Convene internal and external meetings, both strategic and operational, including national leadership meetings, ensuring the effective administration of these meetings.
  • Raise awareness of the Clinical Research Network to improve understanding of clinical research and its management. Represent the CRN at national and international meetings, deliver presentations, and contribute to reports and other publications.
  • Actively participate in directorate and work stream meetings.

The job description provides a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list of duties and responsibilities, which will develop and change over time through natural progression.

UNIVERSITY VALUES

All staff members are expected to operate in line with the university’s values and standards, which work as an integral part of our strategy and set out the principles of how we work together. More information about the university’s strategy and values is available at

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

The NIHR Clinical Research Network is a complicated, diverse and ambitious organisation. You should be able to work effectively in a dynamic and evolving organisation and manage change.You must be able to demonstrate effective organisational and interpersonal skills with the ability to take on responsibility and exercise skills in managing projects effectively.

Specifically you need to be able to demonstrate the following experience and competencies, or their equivalents in other fields:

  1. A relevant degree or demonstrable senior management experience;
  2. An understanding of the NHS, the NIHR and government health research strategy;
  3. Proven experience in the management and delivery of medium to large scale projects
  4. Experience of managing a budget and planning resource allocation;
  5. High level administrative skills, ability to write clearly and concisely, able to produce high quality reports;
  6. Proficient IT skills with the ability to use IT systems to monitor project timelines and progress;
  7. Excellent analytical skills; experienced in data collection, analysis and presentation;
  8. Able to manage complex inter-dependent work programmes with originality and imagination, able to innovate and solve problems. Strong diplomatic, influencing and negotiating skills.
  9. Experience of managing staff, including those not under direct line management, and in advancing the team’s professional development.
  10. A supportive, energetic, proactive, results-orientated management style;
  11. Ability to participate constructively and enthusiastically in corporate meetings and decision-making processes;
  12. Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills;
  13. Ability to build, maintain and develop effective working relationships within and outside the Clinical Research Network with all people including senior national leaders and government representatives;
  14. Experience of inputting into the development of policies, procedures and standards
  15. Ability to function productively within, and contribute to, an environment of organisational change and progress;
  16. Strong leadership skills and ability to effect change;
  17. Excellent self-management skills, including ability to deliver and work to deadlines, high motivation, efficiency, responsiveness, determination and resilience, ability to work flexibly and manage competing priorities;
  18. Available and willing to travel frequently within the UK;

Desirable

  • A higher degree
  • A professional management qualification
  • Prince 2 Practitioner qualification

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

NIHR Clinical Research Network

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) makes it possible for all patients and health professionals across England to participate in relevant clinical trials. We provide the infrastructure that allows high-quality clinical research to take place in the NHS, so that patients can benefit from new and better treatments. We also help researchers to set up clinical studies quickly and effectively, we support the life-sciences industry to deliver their research programmes, we provide health professionals with research training and we work with patients to ensure their needs are at the very centre of all research activity. With annual funding of £300m and a portfolio of some 6000 clinical studies, we provide a workforce of several thousand embedded NHS staff, supported by streamlined, effective and efficient operational systems, to support the delivery of research in all clinical specialties in all NHS sectors. The NIHR CRN is formed of 15 Local Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs) that provide coverage of the whole of England, and our portfolio of studies is organised in 30 clinical research Specialties.

The NIHR CRN Coordinating Centre (CRNCC) provides national coordination and oversight of the CRN, which includes development and implementation of national CRN strategies, policies, systems, processes, frameworks and standards, and support and performance management for the LCRNs and CRN Specialties.

The Coordinating Centre is a hosted organisation jointly managed by the University of Leeds and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (“the CRNCC Consortium”). Some specific activities are provided by a broader Alliance of partners that includes Newcastle University, the University of Liverpool, Kings College London, Imperial College London, and PA Consulting Group.

For further information about the NIHR Clinical Research Network, please visit our website:

National Institute for Health Research

The NIHR Clinical Research Network is a key element of the National Institute for Health Research, which is funded through the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR is a large, multi-faceted and nationally distributed organisation. Together, NIHR people, facilities and systems represent the most integrated clinical research system in the world, driving research from bench to bedside for the benefit of patients and the economy.

Since its establishment, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public, driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy, and developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research.

Further information on the National Institute for Health Research can be found at:

University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is one of the UK’s largest, most prestigious and diverse research-intensive universities. Ranked amongst the world’s top 100 universities in the QS World rankings, and a member of the Russell Group of leading research universities, the University has an annual turnover of £587 million, over 31000 students and 7500 staff. It is now embarking on an exciting and critical period in its development, making significant investments in its infrastructure and research capability as part of a new strategic plan.

The CRN CC is hosted within the Faculty of Medicine and Health. The Faculty is at the forefront of cutting edge discovery science and translational clinical research and has a broad portfolio of programmes of study, training tomorrow’s healthcare and medical professionals. With around 1600 staff and more than 6500 students it is the largest faculty in the University of Leeds, and is one of the largest medical faculties in Europe.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

With an annual turnover of £1.2 billion, GSTFT has a national and international reputation for managing and delivering a vast range of clinical research at scale, as well as for the corporate integration of research as a core business activity incorporating hosting functions and strong collaborative partnering to create a hub of research management expertise.

The Trust recognises the importance that commercial acumen and discipline brings to the long term sustainability of the organisation, especially in respect of working with complex and varied providers and identifying new revenue streams. GSTFT is a UK leader in strategic and joint ventures in healthcare delivery and as a result, the Trust now has the largest commercial directorate of any Trust within UK. The Trust’s Commercial Directorate, as the commercial arm of the organisation, works closely in support of Trust services to develop and deliver external contract income. This income generation is achieved by using the reputation, skills, capacity and location of the Trust and its staff. The Commercial Directorate builds on over 20 years' experience of delivering health services to external organisations both nationally and internationally.

University of Liverpool

The University of Liverpool is a world famous brand; it is one of only two UK Higher Education institutions to have a campus in China, has opened an innovative new campus in London and is the largest provider of wholly online degrees in Europe. Our research expertise spans a broad range of disciplines and is world leading in a number of subject areas. We have a national profile for our contribution to widening participation in UK Higher Education, ensuring that no student able to benefit from studying at a Russell Group University is deterred from applying as a result of financial constraints.