Research Contracts and Funding Manager
The closing date is 03 April 2026
We're seeking a dynamic and experienced R&I Contracts and Funding Manager to join our Group Corporate Research & Innovation Directorate at St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group. In this pivotal role, you'll lead the negotiation and management of research contracts and funding streams, enabling groundbreaking clinical trials and collaborative projects. If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment, have a strong grasp of research governance and legal frameworks, and are passionate about supporting innovation across the NHS, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for leading and overseeing aspects of research contracting and funding applications across the group. This includes drafting, negotiating, and managing a wide range of research agreements, ensuring legal compliance and strategic alignment. The role involves identifying funding opportunities, maintaining contract templates, managing financial reporting for grants, and implementing digital systems for tracking contract performance. The postholder also provides expert advice on contractual and governance matters, leads training initiatives, supports strategic research programmes, and fosters collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to drive innovation and operational excellence. Role will line manage officer position and will need to ensure systems and processes in place to apply for research funding calls from diverse funding partners, ensuring an increase in research income.
About us
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education and training of our 17,000‑strong workforce.
At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.
Job responsibilities
* Draft, review, negotiate, and execute research agreements including MTAs, DTAs, CDAs, SLAs and multi‑partner collaborations.
* Ensure all contracts comply with NHS policies, legal frameworks and funder requirements.
* Lead quality control processes for research agreements prior to execution.
* Advise on contractual strategy, governance and risk to clinical, academic and executive colleagues.
* Oversee grant submissions and ensure accurate financial terms are included in contracts.
* Identify strategic funding opportunities and support innovation across the research portfolio.
* Serve as project manager for large‑scale or strategic research programmes hosted by the Trust.
* Line manage the R&I Contracts and Funding Officer, fostering a high‑performance culture.
* Provide training and professional development to direct reports and researchers.
* Lead thematic innovation initiatives and cultivate new partnerships.
* Develop and implement SOPs and work instructions for research contracting and funding.
* Maintain a Trust‑wide electronic register of contractual documentation.
* Lead the optimisation of digital systems for tracking contract timelines, deliverables and compliance.
* Drive continuous improvement in contract‑related workflows to meet strategic targets.
* Represent the Trust in high‑level negotiations with sponsors, funders and partner institutions.
* Translate complex contractual and financial information into actionable insights for stakeholders.
* Promote collaboration across NHS, academic and industry partners.
* Ensure high‑quality reporting to funders and senior leadership.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* University degree (or equivalent).
* A scientific background or qualification, preferably at the post‑graduate level and ideally in the Life or Clinical sciences.
Knowledge
* Research Healthcare contracts knowledge and experience.
* Research Healthcare grants management knowledge and experience.
* Line Management.
* Legislation and regulation and how it impacts healthcare research.
* Experience of developing processes, systems and SOPs to manage activity.
* NHS experience.
* Developing and delivering training.
* Budgetary experience.
* Innovation considerations including Intellectual Property Law, including patent law, law of confidence, copyright law, its identification, protection and exploitation.
Skills
* Able to collate and compile complex information into written reports.
* Ability to translate national policy or guidance for application to the local situation.
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.
Employer name
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
£56,276 to £63,176 a year pro‑rate incl HCAS (inner London)
#J-18808-Ljbffr