This is an exciting opportunity to support the Trust by leading the operational delivery and implementation of national and local research strategies. Our vision is to deliver the best possible care for all who need our services, and this will be achieved through high quality evidence-based care and a strong research culture. The Trust is a research active organisation and is ambitious to grow its research capacity and capability in tandem with plans for a new state-of-the-art hospital for the residents of Hillingdon.

The post holder will develop, promote, support, manage and monitor the research service and development activity throughout the Trust, collaborating with the Research Delivery Network, the London North West Commercial Research Delivery Centre, universities and other academic departments, key local stakeholders and the wider health economy working at both a strategic level and an operational level. This is a high-profile role and will support the Director of Research and Innovation in both developing and implementing strategic plans for the service that are; centred on building the research portfolio to meet needs of our local population and management of the research office and infrastructure to deliver a cost effective, safe, quality service that meets the needs of Trust investigators and also key collaborators and stakeholders.

The post holder will be responsible for all aspects of the Research & Development (R&D) agenda at the Trust reporting to the Director of Research and Innovation and the R&D Steering group. This includes business planning, financial management and including the management of research staff. The Head of Research and Innovation will be an expert on research governance and research management. They will ensure that systems are in place to provide accurate and timely research project review and approval, and that such projects meet all the necessary research governance and regulatory requirements for the Trust to either sponsor or host them. The post holder will work with colleagues within the Trust to ensure all projects are accurately costed and sufficiently staffed. They will also be responsible for the writing, development and the implementation of policies and procedures that ensure that the organisation meets the requirements of Research Governance standards and Regulatory Authorities. The post holder will act as the main contact for the NIHR North London Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) and the London North West Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC).

The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute Hospital in the London Borough of Hillingdon and offers a wide range of services including accident and emergency, inpatient care, day surgery, outpatient clinics and maternity services. The Trust’s services at Mount Vernon Hospital include routine day surgery, delivered at a modern treatment centre, a minor injuries unit and outpatient clinics.

The safety and well-being of our patients and of our staff is paramount and we are making urgent improvements to address this – particularly in infection prevention and control. We are making progress and going forward by working in partnership with local GPs, charities,
community services, academic partners, our local authority, neighbouring hospitals and the wider North West London Integrated care system, and ensuring that we listen and work in partnership with our local population. We are absolutely focused on ensuring that our hospitals
provide high quality, safe and compassionate care, while drive forward the building of the new Hillingdon Hospital.

We have over 3,500 members of staff that are proud to care for nearly half a million people, with a vision to be an outstanding provider of healthcare through leading health and academic partnerships, transforming services, to provide the best care where needed.

Scope

NHS England acknowledges that research active organisations outperform organisations that do not, leading to better quality care, better patient outcomes and improved use of resources. This has also been recognised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) who have included opportunities for research as a characteristic of a “Well-Led” organisation. The General Medical Council also seeks to promote research for all doctors by “normalising” it as part of routine care. Reinforcing the relationship between research and quality of care brings a responsibility to the Trust to demonstrate good research activity and processes. Research needs to be embedded as core business within the organisation. The trust currently has a solid R&D platform on which to further build the opportunity for research participation for both patients and staff. There is an opportunity to align research in the development of new services and the new hospital.

KEY DELIVERABLES

1. Performance and Quality: Efficient and productive management of the Research service across the Trust making best use of available resources matching capacity to demand to achieve NIHR national and local metrics.

2. Financial Performance: Manage services within agreed financial resources. Support redistribution of commercial and other funds in line with the R&D income and distribution policy.

3. Workforce Performance: Achieve key workforce metrics and demonstrate best value staffing model for area of responsibility.

4. Risk Management: Ensure that the organisation meets the requirements of Research Governance standards and Regulatory Authorities.

5. Strategy: Support in the development and achievement of the R&D strategy to enable the Trust’s vision.

6. Values: Lead by example in promoting trust values and behaviours.

KEY COMPETENCIES

· Experience in the management of NHS R&D at a strategic level.

· Skills to advise on all types of clinical research projects, including identification and management of regulatory and governance requirements, and the development of research documentation.

· Experience of developing and maintaining a Quality Management System (QMS) for R&D activity.

· Understanding and experience of NHS R&D funding (including commercial and non-commercial funded research) and budgetary management.

· Evidence of problem solving and strategic planning.

· Experience of working within and managing a team, preferably within an NHS setting.

Responsibilities:

1. 1. Operational Management

· Managerial responsibility for the operational management of R&D.

· Develop and administer, in-conjunction with the Director of Research and Innovation and other stakeholders, the Trust’s research strategy.

· Provide the infrastructure and leadership to promote the development and implementation of the Trust’s research strategy.

· Develop systems to identify and manage research within the organisation to ensure that it meets the standards set by Research governance and Regulatory Authorities

· Providing leadership as well as expert advice and opinion for all aspects of the Trust’s research activity.

· Co-ordinate and promote the Trust’s research R&D activity and services both internally and externally.

· To build capability and capacity for quality R&D within the organisation.

· Maximise commercial opportunities to generate income.

· Manage the R&D budget and identify other funding opportunities with the aim to increasing R&D funding.

· Ensure that an appropriate Research QMS is in place and is maintained.

· Produce reports as required by key stakeholders, including the Research Delivery Network and the Trust Board.

· Ensure R&D maintains a high profile within the Trust.

· Build and maintain partnerships and/or relationships with external organisations including academic organisations, local stakeholders, other NHS trusts, as appropriate.

· Hold direct line management responsibilities for the R&D staff. Manage the staff and resource to ensure that a competent and accessible service is offered.

· Maintain close links with external collaborators to share knowledge and best practice.

· Act as Trust Archivist for Research.

· Establish regular audits to monitor R&D projects ensuring they are carried out to agreed standards.

2. Finance and performance

· Hold responsibility for the management of research budgets and oversight of research finance processes.

· Strategic decision making, taking into account financial considerations whilst ensuring reputation and resources are appropriate when considering potential collaborations and study adoption.

· Ensure that the Trust receives adequate R&D funding from the Research Delivery Network that reflects the Trusts R&D activity.

· Account for funding allocated to the Trust by the RRDN, including meeting all reporting requirements as applicable.

· Ensure that the locally generated research demonstrates value for money for the Trust at the same time as informing practice.

· Working with the Trust Finance Department, maintain and oversee processes to ensure the full costing of research projects (commercial and non-commercial) and to maximise the recovery of costs from external funders.

· Support the Trust staff in the financial negotiations with external funders to ensure that the Trust is compensated for the work undertaken.

· Actively promote a close working relationship with our academic partners to support collaborative research ideas and income generation through exploiting intellectual property.

· Support and advise staff to ensure that research generating intellectual property is developed to its potential. Negotiate with our research partners to ensure equity.

· Ensure a high level of data quality is maintained and implement changes should a data quality issue be identified

· To produce reports on financial, contractual and performance as necessary.

· Act as Organisation Archivist for Research.

3. Communication and Partnership Working

· Develop and maintain a Research Team that collaborates with other like-minded organisations to develop and undertake high quality research.

· Develop and maintain close collaborative links with local universities, NHS Trusts, and other organisations that undertake or support research.

· Work closely with other R&D organisations to increase research activity.

· Advise the Director of Research and Innovation and Trust Board on R&D funding opportunities both from the public sector, commercial companies, and others.

· Develop material (newsletters, intranet and internet sites) that ensures that R&D maintains a high profile within the organisation

· Advise the Director of Research and Innovation/Chief Medical Officer as required.

4. Supporting R&D and Capacity Building

· Work with a range of stakeholders (internal and external) to develop a long-term strategy for research within the Trust that will develop capacity, improve access to research, and identify strategic solutions for growth within the system.

· Develop and maintain close liaison with all Trust Staff involved in or participating in R&D.

· Support and advise researchers participating in multi-centre clinical trials (i.e., research hosted at the Trust) to ensure that projects are robust and of good quality and fit the Trust’s R&D strategic objectives.

· Identify skills deficits and long-term training needs for all trust staff involved in research, leading on the creation of training and development strategies to ensure all staff have the requisite skills, training, and expertise to deliver research activity.

· Develop, implement, support, and monitor initiatives that encourage R&D within the Trust.

· Work closely with and support the RRDN to build capacity locally and increase R&D activity.

· Actively support and advise researchers when applying for research funding.

· Support and advise researchers when publishing findings.

5. Key relationships

Internal

Director of Research and Innovation

R&D Steering group

Chief Executive

Chief Medical Officer

Transformation Team

Local Researchers

Support Service leads

General Managers and Business Managers

External

NIHR North London Regional Research Delivery Network

London North West Commercial Research Delivery Centre

R&D Managers/equivalent in North West London

Academic staff and Researchers at Brunel University

Research Offices and partners at Brunel Medical School

Commercial and non-commercial sponsors and funders

Primary Care Networks / Hillingdon Confederation

This role will also be responsible for any other duties which are in line with the grade and general level of responsibility of the post.

This advert closes on Friday 27 Jun 2025

The Hillingdon Hospital

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Head of Research and Innovation | The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust