Fixed term contract/secondment opportunity for 6 years

We are looking for an experienced strategic leader to help us to develop and deliver ambitious plans to establish the East of England RRDN. Along with 11 other Regional Delivery Networks and a Network Coordinating Centre, this will form the NIHR Research Delivery Network. The new NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) will operate as one unified organisation across England, balancing regional context, expertise and leadership with national coordination and strategy involving government policymakers.

As the RRDN is currently transitioning from the Clinical Research Network, your experience and skills in times of transformation and change will be critical. We will require expert leadership to deliver service transformation, people change and continual support for stakeholders and partners as we collectively embrace these changes to make our strategic ambitions become a reality.

Working across a networked environment will be essential, with skills to understand and work across multiple complex agendas and develop strong partnerships across our system. The RRDN will require influencing and negotiation skills and will seek to build strong and lasting partnerships which will provide increasing research opportunities across diverse communities to help address complex and ever evolving health and care challenges.

Main duties of the job

This role will report into the Network Director and provide visible, dynamic and effective senior leadership. You will work closely with the RRDN Operations Director as part of the leadership team, along with the Health and Care Directors (Medical and NMAHP).

As a newly forming organisation, the RRDN is advertising both the Strategic and Operations Director roles at the same time and anticipates some applicants may wish to express a preference for more than one of these roles. Please indicate this within your supporting statement, and where this is the case, please ensure your application addresses the requirements of both roles.

The network is hosted by the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals NHS Trust, and covers the East of England footprint, with travel expected across all regional sites, outside of the region and to national meetings. We are actively promoting flexible working options, helping you to manage a work / life balance and operate a hybrid/flexible working policy, with a minimum of 2-3 days expected to be site based per week.

Full time: 37.5 hours per week

Interview date: 24th June 2024

If you are considering applying for this post on a secondment basis, please discuss with your Line Manager prior to applying to ascertain whether this could be supported.

About us

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N& N Hospitals Charity

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

• Flexible working hours
• Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi Faith prayer room
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
• Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
• On-site Nursery
• On-site cafes offering staff discounts
• Support in career development
• Flexible staff bank
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Job description

Job responsibilities

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

Be accountable for implementing RDN national strategies in the RRDN region to build research capacity and capability, particularly in respect of commercial research

Be responsible for devising and leading a 3-year RRDN Strategic Implementation Plan in line with the RDN strategic aims and national 3-year plan. The RRDN Strategic Implementation Plan will be developed in conjunction with regional partners, including NHSE regional offices, ICSs, AHSNs, patients and the public

Work with regional partners on their individual research strategies, to draw together national and regional priorities, using system leadership within the region to ensure coordination and synergy.

BUSINESS PLANNING

Be responsible for devising and leading a 3-year RRDN Strategic Implementation Plan in line with the RDN strategic aims and national 3-year plan. The RRDN Strategic Implementation Plan will be developed in conjunction with regional partners, including NHSE regional offices, ICSs, AHSNs, patients and the public

Contribute to the oversight and development of RRDN business, financial, strategic development and impact plans, and associated reports

Develop and optimise potential for high quality and sustainable health and care research within the region and nationally in alignment with RDN vision, direction and strategic aims.

Please refer to the Job Description for the full specification of responsibilities and requirements for this post.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Masters level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant field

Attitude & Aptitude

Essential

• Highly developed leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills with the ability to demonstrate these in highly political environments
• Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
• Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in the health and care research sector, the health and social care service sector or academic environment at a senior level
• Experience of leading continuous improvement

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

Norwich

NR4 7UY

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

234-24-TA23016