Group Head of Research and Development: Sponsorship Available

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

Job summary

In conjunction with the Directors of Research and Development for Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust and Dudley Group Foundation Trust the post holder will provide strategic and operational leadership and management for the Research & Development (R&D) portfolio across the Group, aligning practices and creating a seamless service.

Main duties of the job

As Group Head of R&D the post holder will be key to the development and implementation of groupwide R&D strategy and business plans and ensuring that performance targets and overarching strategic objectives are met.

They will work collaboratively with key partnersand represent the Trust in external stakeholder forums to facilitate, promote and increase recruitment to research trials and take forward the Group’s research agenda.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Leadership and management training qualification at degree level or above
  • Masters level qualification, or equivalent research related experience

Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of developing and implementing successful research strategies
  • Proven record of consistent delivery against targets for both commercial and non-commercial research
  • Research contract negotiation/management experience

Knowledge

Essential

  • Specialist knowledge of the governance and legislative frameworks for conducting clinical research studies
  • Detailed knowledge of the national NHS R&D Strategy and funding streams
  • Specialist knowledge of current local, regional and national policies relating to clinical research activity in the NHS

Management

Essential

  • NHS experience in a senior management position
  • Research management experience at a senior level
  • Able to lead, manage, train and develop staff
  • Budget management experience

Skills

Essential

  • Able to interpret national policies and guidelines into locally relevant policies and procedures
  • Preparation and delivery of presentations and reports to board level standard
  • Highly developed communication skills with ability to negotiate and influence effectively to achieve best outcomes
  • Experience of networking at local and national level

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).

Closing Date: 17 November 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.