Job summary The Head of Partner Liaison and Planning is a senior leadership role that has a focus on liaising with NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) research Delivery Organisations (organisations delivering NIHR portfolio research) and other partners in the regional research delivery system. Key responsibilities for this role include fostering and nurturing productive relationships with regional partners including both commercial and non-commercial study teams/sponsors, research site delivery personnel, and senior research leadership within Delivery Organisations. Main duties of the job This role will oversee a team dedicated to the provision of these services, ensuring coordination with other services/functions within the regional network and across the national network. This includes collaborating closely with Regional Specialty and Setting Leads to support the delivery of regional and national projects. In addition to regional duties, the postholder will collaborate with senior counterparts from other RDN regions and the national RDN team to innovate and evolve services, aligning them more closely with the changing needs of the system. The role is within the South East RRDN hosted by the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and will require regional travel from an agreed base and some national travel. We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic and talented Senior Manager to join the new NIHR Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) in the South East. The role is an exciting opportunity to lead regionally and nationally to deliver a standardised study support service. Key responsibilities of the role include fostering and nurturing productive relationships with regional partners including both commercial and non-commercial study teams/sponsors, research site delivery personnel, and senior research leadership within Delivery Organisations. About us Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure. We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding. Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us. Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?vR96pMboIYdo Date posted 14 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8b Salary £64,337 to £74,415 a year per annum including HCAS Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 384-AR-EMF17958 Job locations The Royal Surrey Hospital Egerton Road Guildford GU2 7XX Job description Job responsibilities Please refer to the full job description & person specfication Act as a senior leader within the RDN, providing strategic direction and guidance Work as part of a community of senior leaders across the national network, exercising shared leadership and promoting the consistency of experience across a nationally-harmonised Study Support Service Co-develop and lead on national projects as required Collaborate with National and RRDN Specialty and Settings Leaders to align regional operational activities with national strategic objectives Offer strategic leadership to research delivery sites, contributing to strategic planning (including the development of three-year strategies) and proactively tackling operational challenges as an active partner Lead the implementation and cascade of a range of national strategic directives within the region and the local RRDN, reporting on local learnings, successes and challenges BUSINESS PLANNING Contribute to collective national business planning for the Study Support and Partner Liaison services Contribute to coordinating, reviewing, evaluating and approving research site delivery plans, and have delegated responsibility for periodically performance monitoring against those plans to ensure that RDN funding is being used appropriately and effectively Lead on regional business planning for the Study Support Service and Partner Liaison functions, ensuring effective implementation and reporting INFORMATION & ADMINISTRATION Understand and interpret highly complex information, data and situations to inform plans and make decisions. This may include communicating and presenting to a variety of audiences and the facilitation of collaborative discussions Provide leadership and support for the implementation of Information Governance best practice within the Study Support Service Be responsible for the implementation and effectiveness of the processes that ensure data integrity within relevant RDN systems, enabling the identification of potential concerns and patterns and supporting RDN customers and partners in resolving issues. Promote the use of digital innovation and effective Business Intelligence across all the Study Support Service and Partner Liaison functions, working closely with the Data and Analytics Senior Manager to build both the team's and stakeholders' capabilities in these areas Have oversight of the activities that support study sponsors, funders and investigators to access data to enable them to effectively manage the delivery of their studies (and enable them to request support from the RDN as required) Lead on the implementation of the national costing and attribution tools and processes in line with national policy and UK wide guidance, acting as senior escalation point for the UK community of practice for costing and AcoRD Specialists as necessary Lead on the implementation of DHSC RDN Portfolio Policy Compliance to ensure that the process, procedure and monitoring of studies enables sponsors / delegates, research delivery sites and funders to understand and adhere to their roles and responsibilities. For example, this may include satisfying the Eligibility Criteria for NIHR support before they are included on the portfolio and subsequently adhering to the expected actions and requirements set out in the NIHR RDN Portfolio Terms and Conditions Lead on the oversight of the RDN portfolio across all specialities and settings to proactively identify potential issues and opportunities, working as an active partner to resolve and action follow-up activity Contribute to the Strategic oversight of the RDN Portfolio, including: Undertaking strategic portfolio oversight activities to identify opportunities and challenges within the capacity and capability of the research system to deliver future research. This will include ensuring that regional specialities, settings and localities meet the agreed definition of a balanced portfolio Supporting portfolio oversight activities undertaken on the current portfolio as requested Identifying and addressing impact on health inequalities at all stages of research delivery OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT Oversee the regional implementation of the Study Support Service, ensuring its effectiveness and alignment with regional and national objectives Oversee the regional implementation of the Study Support Service, working as part of a national network, to support with: Developing and sharing regional intelligence to inform site and PI identification, eligibility and clinical data to ensure effective planning, placement and performance monitoring (on request) of studies Assisting in the identification of sites and Principal Investigators, making the best use of clinical data combined with an understanding of health inequalities to inform placement of studies Undertaking eligibility reviews Providing health or care intelligence to the on request study performance service and the Active National Delivery service Supporting funders and sponsors in study design to optimise deliverability, including providing early feedback on protocols Advising on study deliverability and undertaking deliverability assessments when requested, including giving consideration to equitable patient access/areas of high patient need Oversee the alignment and coordination of the National Specialties & Setting Leads support for funders and sponsors in study design, deliverability and participant access to bring compatibility with the advice and guidance provided by the Study Support Service to further ensure optimal planning, placement and 'on request' performance monitoring of studies Manage programmes and projects within the remit of the Study Support Service and Partner Liaison function. This may include national projects, the oversight of local programmes of work, and coaching and supporting team members in their project management Lead communities of practice and events for senior leaders, facilitating system-level collaboration and learning to solve operational challenges and pursue opportunities for strategic development Lead a dedicated team to provide Study Support Services, ensuring a collaborative and inclusive team environment Job description Job responsibilities Please refer to the full job description & person specfication Act as a senior leader within the RDN, providing strategic direction and guidance Work as part of a community of senior leaders across the national network, exercising shared leadership and promoting the consistency of experience across a nationally-harmonised Study Support Service Co-develop and lead on national projects as required Collaborate with National and RRDN Specialty and Settings Leaders to align regional operational activities with national strategic objectives Offer strategic leadership to research delivery sites, contributing to strategic planning (including the development of three-year strategies) and proactively tackling operational challenges as an active partner Lead the implementation and cascade of a range of national strategic directives within the region and the local RRDN, reporting on local learnings, successes and challenges BUSINESS PLANNING Contribute to collective national business planning for the Study Support and Partner Liaison services Contribute to coordinating, reviewing, evaluating and approving research site delivery plans, and have delegated responsibility for periodically performance monitoring against those plans to ensure that RDN funding is being used appropriately and effectively Lead on regional business planning for the Study Support Service and Partner Liaison functions, ensuring effective implementation and reporting INFORMATION & ADMINISTRATION Understand and interpret highly complex information, data and situations to inform plans and make decisions. This may include communicating and presenting to a variety of audiences and the facilitation of collaborative discussions Provide leadership and support for the implementation of Information Governance best practice within the Study Support Service Be responsible for the implementation and effectiveness of the processes that ensure data integrity within relevant RDN systems, enabling the identification of potential concerns and patterns and supporting RDN customers and partners in resolving issues. Promote the use of digital innovation and effective Business Intelligence across all the Study Support Service and Partner Liaison functions, working closely with the Data and Analytics Senior Manager to build both the team's and stakeholders' capabilities in these areas Have oversight of the activities that support study sponsors, funders and investigators to access data to enable them to effectively manage the delivery of their studies (and enable them to request support from the RDN as required) Lead on the implementation of the national costing and attribution tools and processes in line with national policy and UK wide guidance, acting as senior escalation point for the UK community of practice for costing and AcoRD Specialists as necessary Lead on the implementation of DHSC RDN Portfolio Policy Compliance to ensure that the process, procedure and monitoring of studies enables sponsors / delegates, research delivery sites and funders to understand and adhere to their roles and responsibilities. For example, this may include satisfying the Eligibility Criteria for NIHR support before they are included on the portfolio and subsequently adhering to the expected actions and requirements set out in the NIHR RDN Portfolio Terms and Conditions Lead on the oversight of the RDN portfolio across all specialities and settings to proactively identify potential issues and opportunities, working as an active partner to resolve and action follow-up activity Contribute to the Strategic oversight of the RDN Portfolio, including: Undertaking strategic portfolio oversight activities to identify opportunities and challenges within the capacity and capability of the research system to deliver future research. This will include ensuring that regional specialities, settings and localities meet the agreed definition of a balanced portfolio Supporting portfolio oversight activities undertaken on the current portfolio as requested Identifying and addressing impact on health inequalities at all stages of research delivery OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT Oversee the regional implementation of the Study Support Service, ensuring its effectiveness and alignment with regional and national objectives Oversee the regional implementation of the Study Support Service, working as part of a national network, to support with: Developing and sharing regional intelligence to inform site and PI identification, eligibility and clinical data to ensure effective planning, placement and performance monitoring (on request) of studies Assisting in the identification of sites and Principal Investigators, making the best use of clinical data combined with an understanding of health inequalities to inform placement of studies Undertaking eligibility reviews Providing health or care intelligence to the on request study performance service and the Active National Delivery service Supporting funders and sponsors in study design to optimise deliverability, including providing early feedback on protocols Advising on study deliverability and undertaking deliverability assessments when requested, including giving consideration to equitable patient access/areas of high patient need Oversee the alignment and coordination of the National Specialties & Setting Leads support for funders and sponsors in study design, deliverability and participant access to bring compatibility with the advice and guidance provided by the Study Support Service to further ensure optimal planning, placement and 'on request' performance monitoring of studies Manage programmes and projects within the remit of the Study Support Service and Partner Liaison function. This may include national projects, the oversight of local programmes of work, and coaching and supporting team members in their project management Lead communities of practice and events for senior leaders, facilitating system-level collaboration and learning to solve operational challenges and pursue opportunities for strategic development Lead a dedicated team to provide Study Support Services, ensuring a collaborative and inclusive team environment Person Specification Qualifications Essential Masters level qualification or equivalent experience. Management qualification Evidence of continual professional development Desirable Project Management qualification or equivalent experience Knowledge and Experience Essential Specialist knowledge of research, the NHS and the wider health and care system including associated responsibilities to the public and patients Specialist knowledge of the range of life science industry's needs and requirements with regard to health and care research Comprehensive understanding of governance and legislative framework for conducting clinical research in the NHS Comprehensive understanding of the UK research pathway and funding Knowledge of national systems, structures and processes for supporting clinical research in NHS and non-NHS settings Knowledge of utilising Business Intelligence solutions to work within a performance management framework, and good understanding of performance management techniques Extensive knowledge of methods, tools and techniques for problem-solving and continuous improvement that are relevant to system-level health and care working Experience of health and care research management at a senior level, including the support of studies pre-approval and post-approval Experience of chairing and facilitating meetings, including with sensitive or political topics Experience of managing health and care research support services including workforce planning and the management of people and finances Experience of developing and managing high quality customer centric services for commercial and noncommercial customers Experience of working collaboratively and in partnership with other organisations, with demonstrable experience of delivery across organisational boundaries Experience of chairing and facilitating meetings, including with sensitive or political topics Experience of managing health and care research support services including workforce planning and the management of people and finances Experience of developing and managing high quality customer centric services for commercial and noncommercial customers Experience of working collaboratively and in partnership with other organisations, with demonstrable experience of delivery across organisational boundaries Experience of chairing and facilitating meetings, including with sensitive or political topics Experience of managing health and care research support services including workforce planning and the management of people and finances Project management experience in a leadership capacity, delivering complex projects involving multiple agencies and individuals to tight deadlines Person Specification Qualifications Essential Masters level qualification or equivalent experience. Management qualification Evidence of continual professional development Desirable Project Management qualification or equivalent experience Knowledge and Experience Essential Specialist knowledge of research, the NHS and the wider health and care system including associated responsibilities to the public and patients Specialist knowledge of the range of life science industry's needs and requirements with regard to health and care research Comprehensive understanding of governance and legislative framework for conducting clinical research in the NHS Comprehensive understanding of the UK research pathway and funding Knowledge of national systems, structures and processes for supporting clinical research in NHS and non-NHS settings Knowledge of utilising Business Intelligence solutions to work within a performance management framework, and good understanding of performance management techniques Extensive knowledge of methods, tools and techniques for problem-solving and continuous improvement that are relevant to system-level health and care working Experience of health and care research management at a senior level, including the support of studies pre-approval and post-approval Experience of chairing and facilitating meetings, including with sensitive or political topics Experience of managing health and care research support services including workforce planning and the management of people and finances Experience of developing and managing high quality customer centric services for commercial and noncommercial customers Experience of working collaboratively and in partnership with other organisations, with demonstrable experience of delivery across organisational boundaries Experience of chairing and facilitating meetings, including with sensitive or political topics Experience of managing health and care research support services including workforce planning and the management of people and finances Experience of developing and managing high quality customer centric services for commercial and noncommercial customers Experience of working collaboratively and in partnership with other organisations, with demonstrable experience of delivery across organisational boundaries Experience of chairing and facilitating meetings, including with sensitive or political topics Experience of managing health and care research support services including workforce planning and the management of people and finances Project management experience in a leadership capacity, delivering complex projects involving multiple agencies and individuals to tight deadlines 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). Additional information 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). Employer details Employer name Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust Address The Royal Surrey Hospital Egerton Road Guildford GU2 7XX Employer's website https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)