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 sponsors as well as other internal and external stakeholders enabling the Trust to deliver its research ambitions.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to support oncology research undertaken within The Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The prime purpose of the role is oversee the performance of the R&I Office in setting up and managing hosted clinical trials against national NIHR high level objectives and regional and local performance metrics whilst ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The key focus will be on NCVR processes and how the Division aligns with NCVR to provide an efficient costing service for hosted research.
Please note that this post is offered at 37.5 h/week. Whilst this job is advertised as a full-time post, we encourage applications from candidates who are looking to work part-time., 1.1. Ensure that the core activities of the R&I Office, namely the review and issue of Local Confirmation of Capability and Capacity for hosted clinical trials, review and approval for trial amendments, the processing of clinical trial agreements and other contracts for signature and the archiving of clinical trial documentation are robust and completed to time.
1.2 Plan and implement a broad range of activities necessary to monitor, analyse and improve the performance of the hosted clinical trial service, adjusting existing strategy and reprioritising staff workloads in the R&I Office as necessary.
1.3 Work collaboratively within the Research Partnership Facilitator in relation to the effective and efficient delivery of research with commercial partners.
1.4 Where appropriate, organise and schedule applicable meetings, ensuring these meetings are accurately documented and any actions agreed are followed-up.
1.5 Where necessary for R&I Office to meet service requirements, undertake reviews for and issue Local Confirmation of Capability and Capacity for clinical trials and oversee approval of amendments to trials.
1.6 Be proactive in liaising with colleagues beyond the R&I Office to support service providers and research teams, in particular by acting as escalation person for research teams with service queries.
2. Development of Quality in Systems and Data
2.1. Responsible for the collation and maintenance of information so that clinical trials can be registered, tracked and validated on R&I systems/databases.
2.2. Responsible for ensuring that the information for the multiple fields for each clinical trial registered with R&I Office meets the current standards for R&I trial datasets.
2.3. Provide and support the regular production of system reports required on behalf of R&I.
2.4. Maintain close communication with the researchers involved with Christie-sponsored research so that they are aware of the status of their project.
2.5. Working with the R&I Quality Manager, responsible for relevant R&I policy and procedure implementation and development.
2.6. Leads on the engagement and communication with service users and stakeholders regarding relevant changes to policies and procedures.
2.7. Advise on, and when appropriate, challenge others to ensure the implementation of new practice within R&I and across the Trust which may have an impact on the effective and efficient delivery of clinical trials.
2.8. Provide input into the design of R&I systems and processes e.g. dashboards to ensure data outputs are fit for purpose and reliable.
3. Leadership
3.1 Provide oversight and take responsibility for the performance of the R&I Office in setting up and managing hosted clinical trials and ensuring processes are in place to deliver high quality data to each trial.
3.2 Where appropriate attend R&I meetings and represent R&I by presenting to and engaging with regional and national research organisations.
3.3 Provide supportive line management of staff within the R&I Office team, including recruitment, regular performance review and feedback, identification of development needs and measures to meet them, absence management, and reviewing and adjusting workloads to meet R&I's agreed priorities.
3.4 Take responsibility for identifying, assessing and reporting risks for the R&I Office hosted clinical trial function, for example by interpreting legal and external/internal policy changes, and participating as appropriate in the implementation of risk management measures across R&I.
3.5 Act as a role model to junior staff in undertaking essential training updates and other relevant courses in line with Trust and NHS requirements and in good time.
3.6 Communicate verbally and in writing to persuade and influence in order to foster and maintain relationships; to resolve conflict and difficulties as they arise; to explain complex and often sensitive information relating to Trust and R&I business and policy in an appropriate manner for target audience.
3.7 Budget accountability. Scope and cost new systems for managing clinical research developing business cases for presentation and recommendation to the R&I senior management team; and identify and participate in financial improvement and efficiency measures as required.
4. Knowledge
4.1 Maintain a strong working knowledge and understanding of research governance and regulatory requirements and
4.2 Provide expert guidance to colleagues and researchers on initiatives developed by the Trust, NHS, Health Research Authority and MHRA.
4.3 Maintain a strong working knowledge of clinical research funding arrangements within the NHS and the implications for clinical research, especially of the Income Costing Tool.
4.4 Maintain knowledge and understanding of local, regional and national organisations and their policies relevant to R&I.
The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.
We want to ensure that everyone who works at the Christie or uses our services is welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect. The Christie values diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and fair representation across the organisation at all levels. In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit.
We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy
All positions within the Christie are subject to the receipt of satisfactory written references, medical clearance and evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. Some roles will require a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note if you are successfully appointed to a post with this Trust, you will be required to pay for your own DBS Disclosure.
By applying for this post you are agreeing to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.
The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and will form part of the recruitment process. In the event that you are successful following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.
Overseas candidates wishing to apply for this position and who would require immigration sponsorship, may wish to self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the post on the UKVI website.
You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.

The purpose of this role is to ensure the effective delivery of Christie Research objectives, with a particular focus on hosted research and NCVR. This will be achieved by leadership which demonstrates continuous liaison throughout R&I, effective line management, contribution to robust risk management and project management.
The seniority of the role requires support to R&I senior management through comprehensive contributions to performance management and service improvement as well as representing the R&I Office both internally and externally.

Working for our organisation
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