Overview
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a proactive R&D Deputy Director to provide credible, effective and visible senior leadership of R&D governance, research operations and workforce development. The post holder will be a key member of the R&D Senior Management Team and the KCH R&D Leadership team, building strong links across R&D and partner organisations to drive successful research collaborations.
Closing date: 14 October 2025.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide expertise in research governance and the regulatory environment within the R&D Department, across the Trust and university partners to ensure that research undergoes high-quality, proportionate regulatory reviews in a timely manner. They will be the point of escalation for concerns and incidents related to research governance and will lead the resolution of complex regulatory issues and investigations to ensure patient safety and continuous improvement.
The post holder will provide strong leadership across the R&D teams to ensure the Trust meets regulatory obligations and maintains a high-quality compliant research environment. They will ensure good clinical practice standards in research delivery, promote engagement of staff and patients in research, drive developments in research delivery and workforce, and support the research equity and diversity agenda.
The post holder will be a source of expertise for education and training in research for health care professionals.
They will act as R&D lead for education and training initiatives related to research governance and workforce development.
About us
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across five sites. Our strategy, Strong Roots, Global Reach, aims to be bold and outstanding in care, research, innovation, education, inclusion and sustainability. We are committed to person-centred, digitally-enabled and sustainable care and to taking Team King’s to another level. We are at a pivotal point and seek individuals ready to join a highly professional team and make a lasting difference to patients and staff.
King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare via our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for the NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for the NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required to meet these goals, and staff are encouraged to minimise carbon emissions, waste and pollution.
Job responsibilities
To take operational accountability for all aspects of the Trust’s NHS R&D functions, adopting a flexible approach to deliver the operational strategy and year-on-year business plans in conjunction with the R&D Directors.
Full line-management responsibilities for at least 50% of RDU matrons and managers (50% managed by Head of Research Workforce), R&D Operational Manager and Head of Research Workforce including oversight of administrative and research support staff. This includes job design, recruitment, induction, appraisal, training and development, retention, sickness and absence, disciplinary and performance issues.
Lead and support organisational initiatives to ensure efficient service delivery, productivity and compliance with Trust and R&D goals; this could include staff consultation, promoting new ways of working and implementing new policies and procedures.
Finance
Act as authorised signatory on behalf of R&D for relevant budgets and resource requests. In conjunction with the R&D Director, lead the annual business planning process and review establishment in relation to service developments.
Patient Safety, Risk and Quality Management
Ensure that all Trust policies including child protection, vulnerable adult protection and Human Tissue Act compliance are followed in a research setting. Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement across the R&I Directorate. Ensure participant complaints are reported, investigated and responded to appropriately in collaboration with colleagues within the Directorate.
Education and Professional Development
Lead by example, promote professional development and implement succession planning for key leadership roles.
EPIC for Research
Act as R&D lead for optimisation and development of EPIC functions for research and integration of good practice for source data integrity and regulatory compliance in conjunction with the R&D Systems Lead.
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further details of the main responsibilities of the role.
Person Specification
Management
* Experience of line management and leading a team
* Highly developed senior leadership and influencing experience with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve individuals and teams to deliver complex initiatives
* Ability to motivate staff at all levels and demonstrate strong leadership
* Ability to work efficiently alone and as part of a multi-professional team
* Experience of communication with a wide variety of people
Education and Qualifications
* Recognised management/leadership qualification
* Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Certification
Experience
* Significant experience in a management role in NHS or academic environments
* Extensive experience in research governance management in NHS, academia or pharmaceutical industry
* Evidence of extensive financial budgetary management across complex funding streams
* Extensive experience in development and delivery of research systems and processes
* Experience managing or overseeing clinical research projects with KPIs
* Extensive experience with difficult HR situations and conflict resolution
* Post-graduate research experience
Knowledge & Skills
* Strong understanding of research governance and related clinical research regulations
* In-depth knowledge of non-commercial funding and application processes for clinical research
* Skilled in national and local presentations to large groups
* Interpersonal skills to communicate with a diverse range of contacts
* Knowledge of NHS funding streams for research
* An understanding of commercial research in the NHS and academia
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to be submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous convictions.
Address
The R&D Office - First Floor Coldharbour Works
Salary
£85,431 to £97,148 a year (Inclusive of HCAS).
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
213-CORP-7479258
Job locations
The R&D Office - First Floor Coldharbour Works
Notes
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further details.
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