Clinical Operations Manager

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Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and solutions-focused Clinical Operations Manager to lead the epilepsy clinical trials portfolio at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN). This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated leader with strong operational, financial, and governance expertise to shape the future of epilepsy research across two internationally recognised sites.

Based across NHNN Queen Square (London) and the Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy (Buckinghamshire), you will oversee study setup, trial delivery, and financial sustainability of both commercial and non-commercial trials, working closely with Principal Investigators, Senior Research Nurses, and the UCL/UCLH Joint Research Office. This is a strategic yet hands-on role where you will strengthen trial capacity, accelerate setup timelines, and ensure high-quality, compliant delivery. You will also line manage members of the research delivery team, supporting staff recruitment, development, and workload allocation. Acting as a key contact for investigators, sponsors, CROs, and regulators, you will represent UCLH as a leading site for epilepsy research.

The ideal candidate will combine leadership with problem-solving skills, thrive in collaboration, and be motivated to drive innovation in clinical research. You will ensure studies are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with GCP and regulatory requirements across both locations.

Main duties of the job

As Clinical Operations Manager, you will lead the delivery of a diverse portfolio of epilepsy clinical trials across NHNN Queen Square (London) and the Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy (Buckinghamshire). You will take responsibility for driving trial set-up, monitoring progress, and ensuring studies are delivered safely, on time, and to the highest regulatory standards.

You will line manage research nurses and guide the wider research delivery team, supporting recruitment, training, and development to build a motivated and skilled workforce. A key part of your role will be strengthening collaboration with investigators, industry partners, and regulators, while ensuring the financial sustainability of the portfolio through accurate and timely income recovery.

This is a role for someone who thrives on leadership and problem-solving. Whether streamlining trial processes, guiding staff, or representing UCLH at national and industry forums, you will be central to advancing research that improves the lives of people with epilepsy.

Working for our organisation

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)

• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals

• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building

• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre

• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases

• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

The post holder will be employed by the Clinical Department of Epilepsy at University College Hospitals Foundation Trust.

We are offering:
• A job in a motivated and highly effective friendly team
• A supportive training and development environment

The post is a fixed term 12-month contract funded by the BRC. There is potential for this FTC to be extended in the future.

LOCATION: The role is split across both sites (NHNN and Chalfont) with days of attendance at each site to be agreed with supervisor based on service needs. Some remote and flexible working will be supported in line with team requirements.

INTERVIEW: A 5-10minute presentation will be required for the interview. The topic will be shared with applicants at time of shortlisting.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*

* UCLH top trust to work at in England - In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England - for the third year in a row.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff - To find out more, visit: Flexible working.

To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Postgraduate level qualification or equivalent extensive experience
• Specialist knowledge and detailed understanding of national R&D priorities and developments
• Expert knowledge of the Research Governance Framework, Health Research Authority, Human Tissue Act, Data Protection and other regulatory and legal requirements relating to research
• Expert knowledge of the functions and application of research governance and approval systems and priorities
• Recognised Good Clinical Practice training
• Strong knowledge of research governance, legal and financial requirements relating to research approvals and deliver, including the NIHR National Contract Value Review process

Experience

Essential criteria

• Relevant and proven experience in managing complex research approvals for host (NHS) approval
• Relevant and proven experience in improving clinical trials research delivery in an NHS setting
• Experience preparing and maintaining study-level invoicing trackers, including analysing trial activity data against contract terms to ensure accurate financial recovery
• Experience liaising with finance departments, CROs, and Sponsors to initiate timely invoicing, resolve payment queries, and address discrepancies in site payments
• Experience in managing teams or individuals
• Experience of delivering training to healthcare or research professionals
• Experience in compiling and writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Evidence of developing Quality Assurance or Quality Check systems and procedures
• Evidence of maintaining complex databases
• Dissemination of complex, specialist information to internal and external stakeholders
• Analysing practices and implementing policies to improve outcomes
• Preparing/delivering formal Presentations
• Allocation of tasks and projects to others and supervision of outcomes
• Experience of research inspections and audits (external and regulatory authorities)
• Proven ability to proactively drive forward change and develop new systems and processes for working
• Proven effectiveness as working as part of a multidisciplinary team and ability to develop effective working relationships with staff at all levels
• Demonstrates ability to prioritise workload (especially when there are conflicting and changing demands)
• Demonstrates ability to work under own initiative
• Demonstrates ability to take charge and delegate duties
• Evidence of complex relationship building with senior stakeholders
• Demonstrates understanding of the importance of audit/quality
• Proven knowledge of ICH GCP guidelines
• Proven ability to work effectively under pressure
• Advanced numeracy and problem solving skills Proficient with Microsoft, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Project management including independently initiating and delivery projects to targets

Desirable criteria

• Experience of epilepsy research delivery

Communication

Essential criteria

• Proven ability to communicate effectively in writing
• Proven ability to communicate effectively verbally

Personal and People Development

Essential criteria

• Experience in managing or supervising staff
• Demonstrates ability to take charge, delegate duties, provide support, check work and performance manage as needed

Responsibilities towards promoting Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

• Demonstrates understanding of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and has Knowledge of the NHS obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duties

Specific Requirements

Essential criteria

• Willingness to work at both sites (NHNN, Queen Square and Chalfont), if required
• Strong desire to share best practice and find improvements in service delivery

At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.

At UCLH we take equality of opportunity seriously and are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer, with a culture that creates a real sense of belonging and trust. It is our fundamental aim, to recruit, retain and promote a diverse mix of people who are representative of our local communities. Applications are encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to support our world class research, innovation and creativity.

UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff and has a dedicated policy which allows staff to apply for flexible working right from the beginning of employment. For more information please go to: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/work-with-us/why-choose-uclh/flexible-working.

We offer our permanent staff an interest free season ticket loan for travel, all our staff have access to free independent and confidential support, large retail discounts, a staff discount platform, cycle to work scheme and on-site accommodation to name a few.

Additionally, UCLH Arts and Heritage's staff wellbeing programme, Creative Comfort, offers a variety of ways to engage with the arts as a member of UCLH staff. You can try out the weekly choir, weekly art club and join the Culture Club for exclusive access to free and discounted tickets for opera, exhibitions, theatre and more.

We recognise, reward and thank colleagues by nominating them for our annual Celebrating Excellence Awards, which are funded by UCLH Charity.

We are also members of www.mytrustbenefits.co.uk/ which offers discounts on high street retail stores, offers on travel deals, and also to take advantage of cash back schemes.

This vacancy may close before the current listed closing date. You are advised not to delay submitting your completed application.

Please note that all correspondence regarding your application will be via email. The emails will be sent to you via TRAC.jobs and not via NHS Jobs, we encourage you to check your inbox regularly.

Please note that if you are at present in a training position on the 2016 new junior doctor's contract and are applying for a Trust doctor role your salary will not be pay protected.

You will be placed on the appropriate point of the Trust Doctor pay scale based on your previous experience.

Please note that if you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date of the advert to assume that you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

For further support on submitting an application please refer to the NLPSS Applicant Toolkit: https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• Job Description (PDF, 624.3KB)
• Functional Requirements (PDF, 262.3KB)
• UCLH Values (PDF, 860.9KB)