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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The CRDC UK Network Operational Director will be responsible for the overall delivery and management of the CRDC UK Network, providing industry with a high quality, professional, coherent, efficient and standardised approach to bespoke commercial clinical trials across the four nations CRDC sites.

The Network Operational Director will also co-develop and lead national programmes of work on behalf of the CRDC UK Network Senior Management Team and act as the central point of contact for industry sponsors.

Although predominantly remote working, it is anticipated that the postholder will travel to the Network host and CRDC sites (or their partner institutions), and regular travel to Network in-person meetings will be expected and supported.

Person specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Masters level qualification or equivalent
• Executive level management qualification

Experience

Essential criteria

• Comprehensive understanding of commercial 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*
• Professional research leadership, both strategic and operational at a senior level*
• Experience of working across complex organisational structures and effective matrix management
• Proven senior level experience of leading and delivering complex change and strategy development programmes in a politically • Executive level experience Job Title: Band 9 Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) UK Network Operational Director Date Finalised: Version P1, 3.7.25 Page 3 sensitive and complex environment
• Significant experience of managing a large budget with solid knowledge of financial process requirements
• Experience of leading business planning cycles from concept to delivery
• Direct experience of business planning and robust financial management at appropriate scale
• 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
• Knowledge of utilising Business Intelligence solutions to work within a performance management framework
• Political astuteness and understanding of the health & social care context
• Comprehensive knowledge of programme sponsorship and management
• Experience of leading continuous improvement

Skills

Essential criteria

• Highly developed leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills with ability to demonstrate these in highly political environments
• Demonstrable ability to use autonomy to undertake actions as a result of own interpretation of policy and guidance, providing a source of expert advice to the organisation / Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues
• Highly developed leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills with ability to demonstrate these in highly political environments*
• Proven interpersonal skills to work with clinical and management colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations and the ability to develop strong working relationships with senior stakeholders
• Ability to deal with challenging situations in a formal setting
• Strong external communications skills in a politically sensitive environment with knowledge of and experience in handling media relations
• Advanced negotiation skills to reconcile stakeholder organisation expectations of financial allocations and within challenging fiscal environments
• Ability to communicate highly complex, sensitive or contentious information orally and in writing, both internally and externally, to a range of audiences
• Extensive experience of delivering presentations to large groups of stakeholders in often pressured and politically sensitive environments to a high Job Title: Band 9 Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) UK Network Operational Director Date Finalised: Version P1, 3.7.25 Page 10 standard (Board level quality
• Ability to analyse and interpret highly complex information to make judgements regarding a range of highly complex management issues
• Strong problem solving skills
• Ability to grasp critical issues and distil them into clear arguments/cases and be able to articulate these verbally or in written form
• Ability to plan, manage, adjust and deliver complex projects involving multiple agencies and individuals and a broad range of activities to tight deadlines
• Ability to work independently / Ability to understand the long term or widespread implications of decisions
• Good IT skills, particularly in use of Web applications and MS Office applications

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential criteria

• Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.

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 (PDF, 672.5KB)
• Person Specification (PDF, 312.6KB)
• Understanding your right to work in the UK (PDF, 1.1MB)
• Employee Benefits (PDF, 578.5KB)