Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:
•    Develop and implement a refreshed research strategy aligning with CNWL, other NWL community and mental health Trusts and ICS priorities.
•    Promote diversity and inclusion in research, targeting underserved populations.
•    Drive a culture of celebrating and sharing research achievements, raising the trust’s profile in the wider healthcare and academic community. 

Research Collaboration and Partnerships:
•    Strengthen partnerships with academic institutions and industry to co-develop innovative research.
•    Optimise commercial innovations.
•    Represent the Trusts at national forums, advocating for research and influencing policy development.
•    Develop strategic research partnerships aligned with organisational priorities, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and positioning the Trust as a centre for healthcare research excellence.
•    Build relationships with local authorities and community organisations to support research addressing wider determinants of health

Operational Oversight:
•    In conjunction with the Director of NOCLOR oversee delivery of the research portfolios, ensuring high governance standards, ensuring all clinical trials and studies comply with the regulatory and legal framework and are reported through the relevant agencies, sponsor and host organisations within required timelines. 
•    Ensure research infrastructure integrates findings into clinical practice seamlessly.
•    In collaboration with the service director (R+D), ensure that  the research team maximises its contribution to providing effective and efficient services within the Trust. 
•    Support effective academic appraisals and personal development plans for academic staff in line with best practice across the trust and using these and other tools to develop them to their full potential and the benefit of the Trust.

Academic Leadership and Support:
•    Provide expert academic advice and mentorship to clinical staff on research methodology, design, and proposal development. 
•    Establish formal and informal mechanisms to support clinicians in writing competitive grant applications and research proposals. 

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI):
•    Embed patient, carer, and public involvement throughout the research process.
•    Lead initiatives to ensure inclusivity in research design and access.
Performance and Financial Management
•    Oversee financial management of research funding, ensuring efficiency and value. 
•    Maximise research income from external funding sources, enabling the Trust to maximise the number of trials and patients recruited and also the income associated with internal metrics to ensure rapid trial set up and starting, minimise costs and inefficiencies. 
•    Monitor performance metrics to demonstrate measurable improvements.

Capacity Building:
•    Foster a culture of research excellence through mentoring and training.
•    Strengthen the use of advanced analytics and digital tools for research.
•    Manage, motivate and develop staff within the Research Team to ensure that they are able to deliver their responsibilities.

Other Responsibilities:
•    Oversight of all committees related to research performance at CNWL, including chairing Research Committee/forum.
•    Provide an annual report to the Trust Board on research performance, impact, and future directions. 
•    Lead the development of the Trust's research brand and communication strategy.