Research Delivery Group (RDG) Operations Director

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Job overview

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust has a significant portfolio of research activity with typically >1,000 research studies recruiting at any one point. The Research Delivery Group is the focal point for much of the acute study work at Leicester Royal Infirmary, the team supports 15 core specialities and 63 investigators with a workforce of >30 wte clinical and support staff.

The facility is also part of a federated NIHR Clinical Research Facility and supports the work of one of the themes of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre.

Research Delivery Group is co-located with the Childrens Clinical Research Facility in Balmoral Building at LRI

Main duties of the job

Control all related expenditure.

To provide strategic level support in:

-Co-ordinating information transfers

-Making applications/responses to maximise internal funding (e.g RDN, RCF) and external grant funding (or other) initiatives

Provide financial projections for internal and national initiatives when required

Ensure that the most efficient use is made of existing available resources.

To manage staff directly employed in such a way that the business plans are fulfilled. Whilst ensuring that all aspects of performance, attendance, training and appraisal are addressed in accordance with Trust Policy

Clearly demonstrate compassionate leadership.

To promote a culture in which multi-disciplinary teams strive for continuous quality improvement by recording and learning from mistakes whether they be human error or systems failure.

Provide leadership and management of administrative, technical and other support staff to ensure effective deployment and working of these staff across the Department.

To develop and maintain the management teams and to ensure there are clear arrangements for accountability.

The development of staff to their full potential through systematic individual performance review.

Leads a psychologically safe culture in which individuals feel able to report incidents and that learning takes place from all incidents and complaints.

To take the lead in planning and organising Research Delivery Group services.

Working for our organisation

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-vacanc...

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Taking a lead in preparation of annual reports for the funding agencies including the contractual and statutory reporting to R&I executive, NIHR and other funders

Ensure effective interaction with Human Resource regarding staffing issues associated with performance, recruitment and retention of staff and effective maintenance of departmental staff records.

Provide oversight of estate and facilities, ensuring the effective use of space, advise on space planning in collaboration with the relevant estates offices in the University and the trust, as appropriate in collaboration with relevant facilities colleagues to oversee maintenance, safety and security for all of the Departments space

To support and embed the PPIE and communications strategy that is inclusive

Communicate contentious information that is complex or sensitive in nature to staff, partners or commissioners

Working across multiple organisations with the Clinical Lead, the R&I team manage multiple funding streams effectively and flexibly equating to £2.5million per annum.

Control all related expenditure to ensure delivery of commitments to support the research delivery group business plan and infrastructure needs, whilst ensuring that all financial transactions conform to financial regulations. This will require an appreciation of longer-term issues and periodically a review of financial procedures to ensure both effectiveness and maximum value in all areas of financial management.

To prepare financial and business reports on the activities and performance of research space and present where appropriate to various boards and organisations, this includes reports for R&I Executive and UHL Hosted NIHR infrastructure such as BRC and CRF.

To provide strategic level support in:

-Co-ordinating information transfers

-Making applications/responses to maximise internal funding (e.g RDN, RCF) and external grant funding (or other) initiatives

Provide financial projections for internal and national initiatives when required

Ensure that the most efficient use is made of existing available resources and maximise opportunities within the department for income generation, both internally and externally.

To manage 35 WTE staff directly employed in such a way that the business plans are fulfilled and that there is adherence to the budget and performance targets. Whilst ensuring that all aspects of performance, attendance, training and appraisal are addressed in accordance with Trust Policy

Clearly demonstrate compassionate leadership skill by using a range of leadership styles to create an environment in which staff are valued and respected.

To promote a culture in which multi-disciplinary teams strive for continuous quality improvement by recording and learning from mistakes whether they be human error or systems failure.

Provide leadership and management of administrative, technical and other support staff to ensure effective deployment and working of these staff across the Department.

To develop and maintain the management teams and to ensure there are clear arrangements for accountability.

To encourage the development of staff to their full potential through systematic individual performance review and the establishing of personal development plans, reflecting the needs of the individual and of the organisation.

Leads a psychologically safe culture in which individuals feel able to report incidents and that learning takes place from all incidents and complaints.

To take the lead in planning and organising Research Delivery Group services and facilities that support the production of high-quality research.

The post holder will ensure that appropriate procedures for research applications, administration of awards and research governance are followed (in accordance with research governance frameworks from HRA and other awarding bodies) and all plans for development complement and support broader research and business plans. This will involve liaising with relevant departments in the Trust and University.

To develop, with the Deputy Director of R&I, business plans for the research delivery group which reflect local (UHL) and national strategy (DHSC) and ensure the long-term sustainability of the delivery group and its portfolio of activities. This will include liaison and engagement with Industry and academic partners, other business enterprises and non-commercial funders. The post holder will also be expected to generate a business plan which will deliver a comprehensive programme of Research activity on an annual cycle

Use analytical skills to synthesize and interpret complex data from multiple sources and information to inform decision making

To ensure management protocols, process and monitoring arrangements are in place so that the quality of the service and performance relative to targets/ plans/. Objectives can be modified and corrective action taken.

To manage research activity in a way that complies with national, regional and local standards and targets

To ensure that robust clinical governance and complaints recording procedures are in place for research space and liaise with the appropriate officers in the Trust to deal with any complaints.

To use negotiation and influencing skills to bring about change within the service and with external agencies

Maintains and develops an environment and culture that improves health, safety and security.

Regularly assesses risks to health, safety and security using the results to promote and improve practice.

Person specification

Training & Qualifications

Essential criteria

• University degree or relevant experience
• Post-graduate research related qualification and continuous professional development
• Completed and maintained Good Clinical Practice training certificate

Experience

Essential criteria

• Significant experience within an NHS or a university setting, with at least 2 years in a role which has included: • Management of staff at several levels • Developing/mentoring staff • Significant budgetary management • Meeting targets and delivering an efficient service • Strategic/business planning • Initiating and leading effective service improvements
• Experience of working within a research environment, including oversight of academic and clinical trials at a variety of phases
• Facilities development and management

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working with Clinical Trial Units

Communication and relationship skills

Essential criteria

• Promotes the building of effective teams and collaboration between teams
• High level of verbal communications skills, including the ability to make effective formal presentations High level written communication skills including preparation of detailed reports

Analytical and Judgement skills

Essential criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of research funding bodies at a national and international level
• Budgetary Management Experience

Skills

Essential criteria

• Strong knowledge of research methods and good practice guidelines
• Familiarity with requirements of corporate governance in higher education and the NHS, including relevant general knowledge of current employment, data protection, and health and safety legislation
• Knowledge and understanding of accounting processes and financial systems IT skills including use of the internet, word-processing, spreadsheets and data bases with experience of manipulating data
• Knowledge and understanding of accounting processes and financial systems

Planning and organisation skills

Essential criteria

• Able to work calmly under pressure, maintaining a flexible approach
• Able to prioritise and manage own time/workload
• Decisive and organised

Additional Information

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.

UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.

The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.

COVID 19 Risk Assessment

Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.

The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.

If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.

Covid Vaccination Status

Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Documents to download

• Job description and person Specification (PDF, 456.4KB)
• Understanding your right to work in the UK (PDF, 1.1MB)
• Employee Benefits (PDF, 578.5KB)