Clinical Trials Costing Coordinator

NHS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job description

Job summary

We have an exciting role within the R&I office for a Clinical Trials Costing Co-ordinator (Band 5).

This post is an integral part of the R&I Division's core function which exists to provide an efficient support service for the research delivery teams and both internal and external researchers enabling the Trust to deliver its research ambitions.

Main duties of the job

The purpose of this role is to support the core R&I Office with the management of research projects, particularly the costing and negotiation of clinical trial financial agreements with sponsors, ensuring financial agreements for clinical trials are financially sound and operationally effective, and ensuring income due to the Trust is recovered in relation to trial activity. The role also requires supporting invoicing activity and liaising with stakeholders to resolve any issues linked to the above. The management of these tasks requires accurate documentation and tracking, as well as good communication skills. The post holder is also expected to provide general administrative support to facilitate the overall management of research projects within the Trust.

Qualifications

Applicants should be qualified to at least a comprehensive secondary education (5 GCSEs or equivalent including Maths and English Language) and have a degree in a science or business related discipline or equivalent level of knowledge/experience. The successful candidate will need experience of working in a research office. They will need to be IT literate with previous experience of administrative work, including experience in computerised systems. We are looking for a candidate with good organisation and communication skills, who can work well both in a team and using their own initiative.

About us

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.

We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.

We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.

You will be working in a friendly and supportive team which works closely with colleagues across the division and wider Trust. This role will be a great opportunity to support our growth as a centre of excellence in research.

Date posted

11 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

413-93631-RI-SD

Job locations

R&D Office - Q01552

Manchester

M20 4BX

Job description

Job responsibilities

Research and Innovation

NHS R&I Funding

1. To assist in the preparation of the financial tables within the Trust's annual returns, using costing techniques to allocate Trust costs to R&I, and then allocating these costs to the various research programmes undertaken in the year. Assist in the calculation of the amount of research funding the Trust has attracted including amounts earned by external organisations such as the University of Manchester.
2. To contribute to data collection exercises relating to NHS R&I funding.
3. Assist in the valuation of non-commercial research work undertaken in the Trust.
4. Assist with the tracking and raising of invoices.

Project Appraisal

1. Using specialist knowledge of clinical trials and NHS finance to produce accurate financial appraisals for each proposed research project forming the internal financial agreement for the project and reflecting the external agreement with the sponsor.
2. Liaise with Consultants, Research Nurses, Trials administrators, departmental managers in order to produce accurate financial analysis for clinical trials. Advise on appropriate pricing for clinical trials and assist in negotiations with prospective sponsors on behalf of the Trust. Ensure that costs are assigned to the appropriate budget according to current R&I finance policies.
3. Support the R&I Business Manager in ensuring that the financial elements of commercial and non-commercial legal contracts are sound. Work as a team player with other members of R&I administration to ensure the prompt approval of research projects to meet commercial timelines and other approval deadlines.
4. Support the research department in ensuring that research performance criteria are met.
5. To deputise for R&I Business Manager/Income and Costing Manager at the Clinical Trials Resource Group meetings as part of the Trust evaluation process for new research projects to ensure that an accurate financial appraisal of each new project is undertaken and that projects are financially viable before approval.

General

1. To be responsible for own professional/personal development, including participating in 6 monthly appraisal and personal development planning.
2. To work with the R&I Business Manager to agree objectives and a personal development plan.
3. Follow risk management procedures at all times, including the identification, assessment and management of risk within the division.
4. To abide by all Trust policies and procedures.
5. Undertake general administrative tasks to contribute to the smooth running of the Business Development team.

This job description is not meant to be finite and may be subject to change following discussion and agreement with the post holder. Similarly, the post holder may be requested to undertake such other duties not mentioned in the job description which are commensurate with the grade.

Person Specification

Qualifications Essential

• A comprehensive secondary education (5 GCSEs or equivalent including Maths and English Language).
• Degree in a science or business related discipline or equivalent level of knowledge/experience.

Experience Essential

• Previous experience of working in NHS or research environment.
• Experience of computerised systems.

Desirable

• Experience of developing new spreadsheet solutions to automate and improve procedures.

Skills Essential

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• To be able to demonstrate tact and diplomacy when handling conflict.
• Ability to work to deadlines and manage conflicting demands.
• Able to think quickly and respond appropriately when under pressure.
• Able to prepare and present R&I costing information for a non-finance audience.
• Expert user of Microsoft Office programs including Access and Excel.
• Highly numerate.

Desirable

• Advanced use of spreadsheets.
• Leadership skills.

Knowledge Essential

• Knowledge of the clinical trials and research approvals processes.

Desirable

• Knowledge of NHS R&I funding mechanisms.
• Knowledge of financial accounting requirements of the NHS.
• Basic knowledge of cancer therapies and terminology used.

Values Essential

• Able to provide credible customer service and instil confidence in the information produced.
• Able to judge materiality of scenarios.
• Flexible and motivated team player.
• Conscientious and hardworking.
• Ability to work unsupervised or as part of a team.
• Maintain confidentiality.

Desirable

• Ability to troubleshoot effectively.

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.

Employer details

Employer name: The Christie NHS FT

Address: R&D Office - Q01552, Manchester, M20 4BX

Employer's website: https://www.christie.nhs.uk/