Job overview

The Central and North West Midlands has been awarded funding by the NIHR to establish a Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC).  Our Head of CRDC Workforce Strategy and Capability will play a pivotal role in the development of this regional collaborative as a centre of excellence dedicated to the delivery of commercial clinical research.  

Hosted by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Research and Innovation Department we are seeking a dynamic and experienced workforce leader to build an expert clinical trials workforce capable of innovating in commercial trial delivery across our CRDC Hub and Spoke organisations.  This individual will provide expertise in leading system-wide workforce capacity and capability initiatives, innovative workforce solutions and research-related staff development.

Main duties of the job

This is a senior leadership role within the CRDC based in MPFT working across the region. You will demonstrate exceptional leadership skills, be an effective people manager and have highly developed communication and interpersonal skills. You are required to provide expertise in system-wide development of workforce capacity & capability & innovative workforce solutions. They will ensure that the CRDC provides a high-quality service by developing, implementing and delivering an effective workforce planning, training and development function aligned to the UK Clinical Research Delivery Vision of a sustainable and supported research workforce.

A key element of this role is to ensure regular engagement across the executive Group and Operational teams since the workforce function spans all areas of CRDC performance and delivery. As the READY (Research Education and Development EquitY) programme lead, the post holder will be responsible for ensuring that the CRDC provides an exemplar infrastructure to support equitable development and training of the research workforce, expanding into new areas of service as required.

In collaboration with the CRDC Host, Centres and Spokes, the post holder is responsible for ensuring our research delivery workforce have the most up-to-date clinical research skills and professional development opportunities to support the innovative and effective delivery of commercial trials. 

Working for our organisation

By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping  your communities and in return for this, we will support you by; 

• Supporting your career development and progression
• Excellent NHS Pension scheme
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Options for flexible working
• Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) 
• Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
• If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
• Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
• Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
• Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
• Free car parking at all trust sites
• Free flu vaccinations every year
• Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)

We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people. 

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.  

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications