The Senior Research Manager is responsible for the strategic management and development of Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s (EPUT) clinical research activity. They work closely with the (clinical) Head of Research in engaging key clinicians and stakeholders to promote, secure and implement national and local research strategies and plans which will see EPUT recognised locally and nationally as a provider of the highest quality of care driven by evidence and a research culture. 

The Senior Research Manager plays a leadership role in the delivery of EPUT’s Research Strategy, overseeing the delivery of both NIHR portfolio and commercial research, ensuring rapid set up of studies, recruitment to target and development of a strong commercial pipeline 

The Senior Research Manager will drive improvements and provide highly specialist advice for direct patient care through delivery of research that provides access to novel treatment and techniques into sustainable practice. They will work to embed research delivery alongside direct patient care by working with clinical multidisciplinary teams and implementing a new Target Operating Model for research. They will line patient-facing staff and support them to fulfil their duties. 

The Senior Research Manager will lead the development of bids and applications for strategic funding from a variety of sources, working at pace and using their influence across corporate finance, procurement and legal teams to generate support for income generation. 

The Senior Research Manager is expected to develop and maintain a robust operational long term plans for Research at EPUT, including leadership of the Research & Innovation Team, working in accordance with current clinical research regulations and frameworks, including but not limited to the Health Research Authority (HRA) approval, Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations and Research Support Services Framework (RSSF). 

The Senior Research Manager will be expected to work in partnership and collaborate with other departments at EPUT to develop staff and services, overseeing and advising on service evaluation and academic research projects. 

The post holder is required to communicate highly complex, sensitive and contentious information to senior clinical leaders, external sponsors, commissioners and executive committees, requiring advanced negotiation, influencing and reassurance skills in the context of disagreement, competing priorities or performance shortfalls. 

Operational responsibility for management and governance of research activity across the Trust  

Operational leadership of the Research Delivery team, including leading regular team meetings on site and line management responsibility of Band 7 and Band 6 staff  

Responsibility for recruitment, training, development and performance of all research staff 

Developing and establishing systems for the management of research involving EPUT 

Develop and initiate  research opportunities and experience within the Trust by fostering a research culture, including regular in person interactions with clinical teams across sites 

Ensuring that research taking place in the Trust is actively promoted, both internally and externally.  

Developing and maintaining the EPUT study feasibility process to meet the requirements of applicable laws and regulations.   

Conducting effective feasibility checks on new studies and ensuring that appropriate assessment and approvals are in place before commencement of research within EPUT, with appropriate involvement of other services (i.e. pharmacy, psychology, operational delivery).  

Maintaining a record of all research being conducted within EPUT  

Maintaining a record of all service evaluations being conducted within EPUT  

Manage EPUT research sponsorship obligations under HRA guidance including implementation of GCP in conduct of trials 

Develop, implement and monitor R&I policies and procedures to govern conduct and management of commercial and non-commercial research in accordance with relevant regulations and policies 

Ensuring the Research & Innovation department and research within the Trust operates in line with national standards and Trust policies including data protection, health and safety requirements, monitoring of misconduct and fraud and financial probity.  

Supporting the health, safety, dignity and well-being of patients involved in research through monitoring of ongoing studies ensuring policy and procedural adherence including reporting requirements in accordance with Trust Policy and Procedure.   

Leadership contribution to the long-term delivery of the Trust’s Research & Innovation strategies, including working with the Director of Strategy, Transformation and Research on refreshing these strategies at the appropriate time to ensure they are implemented Trust wide.  

Lead and take responsibility for the delivery of the Trust’s Research & Innovation Strategies alongside ensuring the implementation plan is regularly reviewed and monitored on an ongoing basis, analysing and presenting multi-year trends in performance and delivery  

Proactively identify risks to the delivery of the Trust’s Research strategy and vision and put sustainable plans in place to address these 

Providing specialist advice to the Director of Strategy, Transformation and Research, as well as other senior leaders, on all matters relating to formal research, and their implications for service delivery and development for patient care 

Proactively identify a strong pipeline of NIHR portfolio and commercial research studies and develop trusting relationships with clinical teams to support delivery and recruitment, in line with NIHR and Trust KPIs 

Analyse the implication of national initiatives and local developments on the delivery of the strategy and the service and present options and solutions for implementation in response 

Lead the development and delivery of plans to procure and operationalise new capital assets including a mobile research unit and portable scanner 

Make the case for investment in ring-fenced clinical space for research as a key enabler of interventional and commercial trials. 

Act as the budget holder for all research budgets including generation and management of commercial income, non-NIHR research and NIHR projects 

Managing the allocation of annual grants from NIHR and seeking alternative sources of income to maximise value for money and financial sustainability of research at EPUT  

Lead horizon scanning for funding opportunities and lead the development of strategic funding bids, working in partnership with other corporate departments across EPUT 

Ensuring that adequate payment is obtained for participation in commercial clinical research, which is not subsidised by the NHS, and that such payment flows to departments supporting the study   

In relation to commercial research, in partnership with the finance department: costing commercial research studies, in line with the National Contract Value Review Interactive Costing Tool (NCVR iCT) negotiating contracts, developing and establishing systems to ensure financial probity 

Lead cost recover, invoicing, training of payments from all income sources, maintaining accurate records 

Negotiate and manage research partnership agreements and contracts with academic and commercial institutions ensuring accountabilities and responsibilities are documented and met 

Develop partnerships with commercial companies to position EPUT for selection as a trial site, ensuring rapid and safe set up with support from the Director of Pharmacy and (clinical) Head of Research 

Championing partnership with people with lived experience in the design and delivery of research and innovation projects  

Representing the Trust’s research interest to external organisations, both locally and regionally, in academic healthcare and commercial sectors 

Representing the Trust as a member of the East of England Regional Research Delivery Network (NIHR RDN)  

Arranging for written agreements to be put in place where required for studies involving an external partner, funder and/or sponsor, including agreements with universities or other employers in relation to student supervision and arrangements for sub-contracting.