Research Governance Manager

Are you interested in high-quality research?

Do you have a background in supporting research studies or governance?

Do you have an interest in mental health and dementia care?

If yes, we have an exciting opportunity for you - to be our Research Governance Manager.

We are one of the country's leading mental health and dementia research NHS Trusts, with a successful portfolio of studies and research clinics.

As our Research Governance Manager, you will have a key role in shaping a culture of safe, legal, high-quality research.

You will lead the research sponsorship process for the Trust, playing a key role in ensuring the delivery of the regulatory, financial and contractual obligations of the sponsor.

You will work closely with a wide range of stakeholders within the Trust, other Trusts and partner Universities to facilitate grant applications, set up research locally in accordance with the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research, and monitor active studies.

You will also play an essential role in protecting the rights, dignity and well-being of all our research participants.

You will be based at Sussex Education Centre in Hove, though we support staff to work flexibly wherever possible. Travel across the local and regional research network area may occasionally be required, though this will be fully refunded.

Main duties of the job

You will lead on the governance setup of commercial and non-commercial research studies, including:

1. Coordinating the grant application process
2. Overseeing the local research governance arrangements
3. Portfolio applications
4. Regulatory approvals and amendments
5. Arranging researcher access
6. Contracts and finance
7. Ongoing monitoring and reporting of studies
8. EDGE implementation
9. Maintain standard operating procedures
10. Update guidance documents

You will also line manage a Band 6 Governance Officer, supporting their development of skills through experience, education and training.

About us

We are a passionate and enthusiastic Research and Development team, and we value all our staff highly. We believe in a friendly, collaborative and supportive work culture, where the development and wellbeing of all our staff is a top priority. And as a department, we champion diversity, equity and inclusion and will support accessible and flexible work arrangements wherever possible.

You will be an integral part of this friendly team and enjoy support from all your colleagues.

Job responsibilities

You will work with a wide range of health care professionals, including (but not limited to):

• NHS researchers
• University researchers
• Chief and Principal Investigators
• Clinical Trials Units
• Funding Networks and Providers
• Ethics and Regulatory Boards
• Students
• Sponsors (Commercial and Non-Commercial)

And your duties will include:

• The governance and risk management of Trust sponsored research
• Managing the local Trust research governance study approval system to ensure prompt and efficient processing of applications
• Advising researchers as to the local and national study approvals processes and standards of best practice in research
• Leading on Trust sponsorship review and processes within the Trust
• Managing the development, implementation and review of research governance standard operating procedures and policies incorporating, where necessary, national guidance
• Working with the research senior management team to identify, support and develop major opportunities to increase the research activity both locally, nationally and internationally
• Effectively managing, providing leadership and developing staff
• Efficiently managing the grants approval process
• Managing the research governance team
• Liaising and working closely with staff from Universities, Clinical Trials Units, and other NHS trusts to ensure effective collaboration in facilitating research funding applications, and delivery of clinical research
• Monitoring and reporting on research activity for senior management, including reporting on the Department's research grant outcomes, the progress of sponsored studies and dissemination outputs
• Considering the financial feasibility of research activities, using AcoRD costing techniques
• Advising on and managing appropriate research agreements, working with collaborating parties to achieve timely sign-off

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to minimum diploma level with a relevant qualification or equivalent experience
• Evidence of CPD

Knowledge / Experience

• Previous proven experience in providing research governance oversight to study set up
• Managing research Sponsorship / study monitoring, audit and other governance processes
• Strong understanding of research concepts, methodologies and principles
• Working within a clinical academic setting and understanding of key processes and systems
• Experience in setting up clinical trials
• Understanding of Health and Social Care Governance
• Experience of providing professional support/supervision and motivation of staff

Skills

• Ability to provide and receive complex information with staff and other stakeholders
• Ability to present information clearly
• An open and facilitative style of leadership which can be adapted when necessary to ensure delivery of objectives
• Good performance management skills

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.