Research & innovation operations manager

We’re looking for an experienced and motivated leader to join us as our Research & Innovation Operations Manager. This is a key role for our Trust—ensuring our research activity runs effectively day to day, while also supporting the continued growth, development and reach of research across our patient population.

You’ll work closely with our Clinical Research Nurse Manager and Clinical Research Development Lead, overseeing the full research pathway from study set-up and delivery through to the development of new, locally led and commercial research opportunities.

You will play a central role in coordinating activity across governance, delivery and support functions, ensuring high-quality, compliant research delivery while maximising opportunities for patients to access research studies.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and strengthen a high-performing research service and make a real difference to patient care through research.

You’ll lead the operational running of our Research & Innovation service, ensuring studies are set up efficiently, deliver to target, and meet the standards expected of a high-performing organisation.

Alongside this, you’ll play a key role in growing our research portfolio—supporting the development of new studies, strengthening locally led research, and expanding our commercial activity.

In Practice, This Includes

• Leading the Research Support Office and day-to-day operational delivery of the service
• Working with clinical teams to ensure studies are set up efficiently and recruit to time and target
• Partnering with the Clinical Research Development Lead to develop and deliver locally led, grant-funded research
• Supporting growth in the Trust’s commercial research portfolio
• Overseeing governance, finance, contracts and performance across the research portfolio
• Working with NIHR and external partners to maximise research opportunities
• Driving continuous service improvement and building a strong, high-performing team

Working for our organisation

You’ll bring experience of working in research or R&D at a senior level, along with a strong understanding of how research operates within the NHS—across both delivery and development.

Qualities and Expectations

• Builds strong relationships and works effectively in partnership
• Can lead operationally while maintaining a clear strategic perspective
• Is confident managing complexity and driving continuous improvement
• Is motivated by increasing access to research for patients and staff

Why this role matters

We’re ambitious about research at ELHT. We want more patients to have the opportunity to take part, more staff to get involved, and more studies led from within the Trust.

We are also strengthening our position as a high-performing research organisation—growing both our commercial and locally led portfolio, and building towards a more ambitious future for research.

This role is central to that ambition, providing the operational leadership needed to deliver, develop and sustain research at scale.