An exciting opportunity has arisen to be part of our East Midlands RRDN flexible workforce as the Agile Research Delivery Team (ARDT) Clinical Manager for the South region (Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland). The ARDT Clinical Manager leads a multi‑professional team to deliver National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Delivery Network (RDN) Portfolio studies across various settings and manages regionally‑based flexible multidisciplinary staff to support the delivery of NIHR RDN portfolio studies in diverse specialties and settings. The manager is responsible for planning, development, and implementation of the NIHR RDN portfolio, focusing on the health and social care issues of the regional population. The post has a dual function, managing and leading either research delivery and/or research support for wider care settings, depending on regional need, including delegation, supervision, education, support and appraisals. The role also involves working closely with different professions from organisations involved in health and care research, and is integral to the Agile Research Delivery Team. The Manager is responsible for delivering the NIHR Care Home research portfolio and providing study support for social and wider care settings, working closely with other ARDT Managers and reporting to the ARDT Senior Manager.
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023‑2030). We have four primary goals: high‑quality care for all, being a great place to work, partnerships for impact and research and education excellence. Health equality is embedded in all we do, taking active steps to reduce avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Strategic Leadership
* Lead and coordinate the delivery and long‑term development of the local care home research portfolio.
* Promote a consistent, coordinated approach to Agile Research Delivery and new ways to increase research capacity.
* Act as a visible leader, role model and RDN ambassador.
Business Planning
* Contribute to Agile Research Delivery Team aspects of RRDN business planning and management.
* Assist with relevant RRDN reports and the planning and delivery of the Agile Research Delivery Team research portfolio.
* Plan, coordinate and promote the NIHR RDN portfolio, including resource management and monitoring.
Operational Management
* Provide operational management and leadership for a team of regionally based, flexible, multi‑disciplinary staff supporting NIHR RDN portfolio studies across various health and care settings.
* Manage either the research delivery team or research support for wider care settings, depending on regional need.
* Work with the RRDN team to manage local feasibility assessments and reviews for studies, including identifying potential sites and investigators, assessing resources and setting recruitment goals.
* Lead in key areas and specific care home research projects.
* Plan, manage, adjust and deliver a broad range of complex projects, involving multiple agencies and individuals, to tight deadlines.
* Communicate confidently through public speaking, influencing, relationship management and presentations.
* Ensure patient, carer and public impact on research delivery, including through digital tools like Be Part of Research and Join Dementia Research.
* Regularly monitor and review the workload of the team to ensure it is manageable and that there is a reasonable delegation of work.
Service Improvement & Development
* Actively engage in continuous improvement across the RRDN and promote real‑time feedback into the system.
* Contribute to local and national policy development related to the Agile Research Delivery Service, providing regional leadership for consistent interpretation and implementation.
Life Sciences Industry
* Actively support the management and delivery of the Agile Research Delivery Team’s regional contribution to studies of national importance, including those part of the Active National Delivery Service.
* Champion RDN Life Science Industry research and its importance and contribution to NHS and social care.
Financial Management Responsibilities
* Responsible for the Agile Research Delivery Team budget within the designated location/hub.
* Support the Agile Research Delivery Senior Team Manager in overseeing the effective financial management of any budget allocated to the Service and associated functions.
Continuous Improvement
* Foster a culture of continuous improvement and wellbeing, encouraging innovation.
* Promote the RDN as a learning organisation that uses staff knowledge and skills for improvement and contributes to service improvement programmes.
* Support national training programmes led by the NIHR RDN Coordinating Centre as required.
Communication & Stakeholder Management (NHS and Non-NHS)
* Provide customer‑focused expertise and experience to enhance research delivery.
* Work with RRDN Stakeholder and Engagement colleagues to contribute to building visible relationships with research‑naive sites and settings, enabling reach and facilitating equity of access.
* Undertake presentations to staff and stakeholder groups.
Specialist Responsibilities
* Frequent travel around the RRDN geographical area.
* Work within the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and adhere to the organisation’s policies and procedures.
Visit https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk for more information.
(Please refer to the job description/person specification for further details on the role)
This advert closes on Thursday 30 Apr 2026.
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