The post holder will take responsibility for the operational management of the R&I Central Office (RICO) and CTU Office (CTUO). This includes, but is not limited to, the set-up and ongoing management of research projects both commercial and non-commercial, development of new projects, audit and monitoring, governance and regulatory oversight, sponsorship, risk management, quality assurance and inspection readiness. The post holder will proactively review, update and develop processes and procedures to continually improve the service and support the R&I/CTU Manager in achieving the departments strategic aims and objectives. The post holder will deputise for the R&I/CTU Manager., Leadership and management Lead on research governance Provide a supportive and caring environment Operational management of research set up and ongoing management Training, Development and leadership Monitoring, audit and risk assessment Stakeholder engagement and communication Continuous improvement and knowledge sharing Deputising for R&I/CTU Manager, + Lead on research governance, ensuring all research activities comply with relevant regulatory requirements, including national guidelines and local policies. + Ensure adherence to ethical standards, including the Health Research Authority (HRA) regulations, Research Ethics Committees (REC), and Good Clinical Practice (GCP). + Provide operational leadership to Research and Innovation Central Office (RICO) and Clinical Trials Unit Office (CTUO), ensuring alignment with the Trust's research strategy and objectives. + Ensure that the governance is robust and evolving in response to regulatory changes or best practices. + Act as the Trust's main point of contact for issues related to research governance, offering expert guidance to both staff and stakeholders. 2. Audit, Monitoring, and Risk Management + Develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive audit and monitoring plan for both hosted and sponsored research studies, ensuring that all relevant studies are appropriately risk-assessed. + Collaborate with research teams to ensure the timely identification and mitigation of risks throughout the study lifecycle. + Ensure that risk assessments are thoroughly documented and reviewed regularly to maintain the integrity of research projects and ensure compliance with the ethical and regulatory frameworks. + Conduct periodic audits and inspections of research sites and processes to ensure ongoing compliance with governance requirements and standards. 3. Research Set-Up and Management + Oversee and manage the capacity and capability process for all new research studies, ensuring the Trust can meet the demands of the projects while maintaining the integrity of research governance. + Ensure the timely and efficient setup of studies, addressing any obstacles or challenges that arise during the planning and approval stages. + Develop and maintain strong relationships with support departments to streamline and improve processes associated with research study setup and execution. + Liaise closely with the Clinical Research Facility (CRF) in Margate, ensuring that studies planned for delivery in the CRF are properly set up and facilitating collaboration between the CRF and other clinical departments. + Review and prepare model contracts, collaboration agreements and other agreements, ensuring that these documents are ready for authorisation by the R&I/CTU Manager. + Work proactively to identify any potential delays or issues in the research setup process, implementing strategies to overcome challenges and maintain project timelines. 4. Team Management and Development + Provide clear leadership and line management to the R&I office staff and CTU office staff, ensuring that all team members have a clear understanding of their roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations. + Set individual and team objectives, ensuring that everyone is accountable for their work and is working towards the Trust's overarching research goals. + Foster a collaborative, positive, and solution-focused team culture that encourages continuous development, knowledge sharing, and innovation. + Oversee the recruitment, induction, and development of new research staff, ensuring that all new team members are integrated smoothly into the department and equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform effectively. + Identify opportunities for professional development, supporting staff to enhance their skills in areas such as research governance, GCP, and ethical conduct of research. + Ensure that all necessary ESR and HR documentation for direct reports is complete, including performance appraisals, training records, and HR-related paperwork. 5. Training and Compliance + Coordinate and deliver training programs for research staff to ensure that all team members are proficient in research governance, ethical practices, and compliance with regulations such as GCP. + Provide staff with opportunities to attend workshops, seminars, and conferences to enhance their understanding of research governance and regulatory updates. + Ensure that all research-active staff are appropriately trained and certified in GCP, monitoring attendance at training sessions and ensuring that qualifications are up-to-date. + Collaborate with research delivery teams to assess and fulfil training needs, ensuring the continuous professional development of all research staff across the Trust. 6. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication + Engage with external partners, including research sponsors, academic collaborators, and regulatory bodies, to ensure smooth study initiation, progression, and closure. + Communicate key developments, regulatory changes, and research findings to stakeholders across the organisation, ensuring clarity and transparency in all communications related to research governance. + Develop and maintain a communication strategy for sharing research progress, outcomes, and impact with both internal and external stakeholders. 7. Continuous Improvement and Knowledge Sharing + Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the research team, encouraging feedback and innovative ideas to enhance operational processes. + Maintain a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of research policy, emerging regulatory guidelines, and best practices by regularly attending workshops, training sessions, and conferences. + Disseminate relevant research policy updates, best practices, and regulatory changes to the research team and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the Trust remains compliant with the latest standards. + Identify opportunities to streamline processes, reduce inefficiencies, and improve the overall research experience for staff and participants alike. 8. Deputising Responsibilities + Deputise for the R&I Manager in their absence, ensuring the continuity of operations and leadership within the department. + Take responsibility for the overall management of research governance processes, maintaining strategic oversight of all research activities in the Trust. + Act as the decision-maker in the absence of the R&I Manager, particularly in critical or time-sensitive situations. Analytical and Judgement

• Judgements involving complex facts or situations, which require the analysis, interpretation, and comparison of a range of options.
  
  The ability to converse easily and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for all customer facing roles.
Most positions require a Disclosure and Barring check and will be exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Posts working regularly or unsupervised with children or vulnerable adults require an enhanced check. Applicants for eligible roles requiring Tier 2 sponsorship must meet UK Visas and Immigration eligibility criteria. We operate a no-smoking policy on all our sites and grounds.

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day., Staff and patients from across East Kent Hospitals are the feature of the biggest NHS recruitment drive in its 70 year history. https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/work-here/ Filmed in William Harvey and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother hospitals, the 'We are the NHS' campaign highlights the extraordinary work that staff across EKHUFT do every single day. As one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a population of over one million people, EKHUFT was perfectly placed to demonstrate the care, cutting-edge treatments, research, innovations and life-saving operations that the campaign needed. There are lots of great opportunities at East Kent Hospitals, where staff are caring and put patients first, innovation flourishes and you can develop your career. We're on an exciting journey of transformation. With a new Medical School at the centre of our community, a focus on research, clinical leadership and making our trust a rewarding and friendly place to work, there's never been a better time to join us. To find out more about east Kent visit our website at. The Trust fully supports the SAS Doctors Charter and is committed to their development through its CPD Framework. We'll close this job advert once we've received sufficient applications which may be before the closing date so please apply as soon as possible. We only accept online applications. If you have any difficulty with this please contact our Resourcing Team on who are happy to help. We have a relocation policy for eligible candidates, parking available at Trust sites but we encourage other options, like car sharing or public transport.