Guy’s and St Thomas’ is among the UK’s busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services. Guy’s is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas’ has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children’s Hospital. Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions. Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients. In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research. We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King’s Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King’s College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit. Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of ‘good’. Our adult community services achieved a rating of ‘outstanding’. The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients. We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS. Job overview This post offers a great opportunity for an experienced and strategically minded Research Portfolio Manager to support the Research Manager and Research Matron in managing the research performance, finance management and business planning process within Ophthalmology research team. The post holder will be leading and managing a team of clinical research delivery staff to ensure the department delivers the efficient delivery of high quality research. Main duties of the job The post holder will provide oversight for the set up and delivery of a commercial and non commercial clinical trial portfolio management. They will also provide leadership for the team delivering them. They will be required to effectively manage their time to fulfil key responsibilities such as reviewing protocols, identifying resource implications, actively participating in meetings, proposing action plans for poor recruiting studies, training, supporting and mentoring other members of staff, leading on service development and contributing to the research business plan. This will involve close collaboration with relevant clinicians, academics, institutions, and commercial companies. The post holder will perform clinical research practitioner/clinical duties if applicable to their previous training to maintain proficiency in their relevant skills. They will support the development of the clinical research practitioner workforce, both within the team and in the Trust. Working for our organisation The KCL Frost Eye Research Unit at St Thomas’ Hospital has close links with King’s College London (KCL). The unit had a proven track record of nationally and internationally recognised research focusing on the cause and treatment of eye disease, alongside clinical expertise in the diagnosis and treatment in all sub-specialities of Ophthalmology. The Eye Research Unit has delivered successfully on a number of both commercial and non-commercial portfolio studies and plays a key role in driving and supporting continued recruitment within the Clinical Research Network South London. Detailed job description and main responsibilities Duties and Responsibilities · Work autonomously to oversee set up, delivery and coordination of the department’s research portfolio with our multidisciplinary team to ensure efficient, GCP compliant set up and delivery of research studies, maximising recruitment with available resources. · Maintain effective communication with professional research staff, patients, carers and professionals to ensure service delivery. · Where appropriate, screening and organising the patients and/or volunteers suitable · Where appropriate, ensure patients are fully informed prior to entry into a clinical research programme · Set recruitment targets and actively monitor recruitment , identifying and proactively managing underperforming studies to deliver studies to time and to target. · Manage and coordinate clinical research staff · To work with partner sites to enhance recruitment to research studies. · To identify, manage and resolve issues barriers to recruitment . · Lead effective co-ordination, deployment and communication of staff within the department. · Support the setup of collaborative agreements with Departments to attract business to the department and act as a support network for other specialties. · To establish and maintain effective working relationships with research stakeholders acting as a direct contact for research staff · Establish, implement and maintain robust processes to ensure ICH-GCP, Research Governance Framework and other necessary regulatory framework compliance · Have responsibility for assigned research budgets, capitalising on funding opportunities. · To contribute to the strategic development and business planning of research alongside the Research Manager, Research Matron and R&D lead . Manage the implementation and maintenance of effective systems, control processes and risk management arrangements in research. · Maintain strong , current working knowledge of clinical research management, regulation, governance, and NHS structures and services Support education of the team. Maintain a dialogue with the Researchers and Clinical Directorate Delivery of Studies · To support the research portfolio and manage available resources in order to increase recruitment to projects. · To set and manage recruitment targets in collaboration with R&D for studies . · Set objectives and review performance of clinical and research staff, identifying individual training needs. · Identify the infrastructure and personnel required to enable the site’s effective participation in research, including identification of requirements at the site, assessment of requirements against existing resources, working to build capacity and income. · To create networks within specialties and establish relationships with key relevant clinical, research and administrative/management staff within CRN, GSTT R&D, Research Ethics Committees and Finance departments and to ensure project deadlines/permissions are met in a timely manner. Financial Management · Manage and monitor performance so that the Directorate meets its operating targets. · To support the research manager with financial management. · Supporting the research teams with procurement and raising invoices and compiling of reporting for financial expenditure to ensure financial reimbursement for the research portfolio · Identify potential funding opportunities and organisational support on any grant applications. Ensure studies are costed and contracts are reviewed during study set up. Work closely with the senior team in the compilation of reporting for financial expenditure. Support staff travel bookings. Comply with the Trust’s Standing Financial Instructions at all times. Research Governance · Monitoring research compliance · Establish robust processes to ensure all aspects of research governance are adhered to including: o study personnel are GCP compliant o study site files are maintained in accordance with ICH-GCP, EU Directive for clinical trials and GSTT R&D guidelines Ensure team adhere to appropriate sample management. Liaise with the clinical team to ensure that study specific investigations are undertaken according to the protocol, and that results are appropriately obtained and documented Ensure the team accurately complete data collections and data query resolution in a timely and efficient manner Manage incidents and their reporting appropriately Research Facilitation · To support and deliver a highly visible, pro-active research service under the supervision of the research manager. · Facilitation and direct support of Ethics and R&D submissions. · To have responsibility for reporting NIHR CRN Portfolio accrual figures. · Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Human Resources and Finance Departments · Gain approvals from relevant departments/individuals and organise meetings/sign-offs to ensure timely study document review by all stakeholders. Staff Management · Line manage, coordinate and deploy clinical research staff to optimise recruitment and appropriately delegate the of workforce · Manage training, development and performance review for administrative and research staff · Set staff study delivery objectives and review performance to manage work loads, improve performance where deficits are identified. · Identify the infrastructure required to enable the effective participation in research, identifying and assessing study requirements against existing resources · Lead on the recruitment · Ensure staff are compliant with all relevant Trust policies Act as a role model for excellence in research delivery Implement and work within the Trust’s HR policies on all staffing matters. Take corrective measures if indicated. Ensure all new staff members receive an induction and are assigned a mentor. Work with the clinical staff to provide support clinical oversight and development Agree and provide cover when necessary for annual leave, study leave and sick leave. Keep updated records of the team’s registration details and training Coordinate staff recruitment Information Management · Provide high quality, timely portfolio and management reports detailing research activity, CRF occupancy and key performance indicators for the eye research team and other relevant Trust local and strategic bodies. Work collaboratively in managing the team’s increasing portfolio, proactively reviewing systems and processes to ensure GCP compliant study management Manage and develop a database of the department’s clinical research projects, recruitment targets and project status for reporting Oversee reporting of departmental research recruitment Ensure compliance withdata protection, confidentiality and security. Participate in the presentation of research findings Attend portfolio performance review meetings Education & Professional Development · Support R&D education and training programmes within research. Take personal responsibility for own professional growth Maintain own and reports training records Other Requirements · Undertaking any other duties that may be required as consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and service needs. · Working flexibly as the service requires. · To work independently and travel to other NHS sites. · Recognise own strengths and limitations Promote positive working relationships and maintains the professional image of the Trust. Person specification Qualification Education Essential criteria Degree or professional qualification Masters level or equivalent qualification in a health science subject Good Clinical Practice Training Desirable criteria Formal qualification in clinical trial methodology / management Previous Experience Essential criteria Proven track record of significant experience of working in commercial and non commercial clinical research in an academic / NHS environment at a research management level Significant Line Management Experience Significant experience of managing departmental budgets, resources and financial reporting in an academic/NHS environment In depth knowledge of NHS REC, HRA, MHRA and R&D approval processes as well as grant application process Experience of writing Research Ethics submissions and protocols for clinical research projects Significant relevant work experience in research delivery in the NHS setting Experience in monitoring and/or audit of research documents Desirable criteria Experience of studies within field of Ophthalmology Research Experience within a complex organization Experience in designing and documenting effective business processes Skills Knowledge Ability Essential criteria Proven ability to develop work-plans and recruitment targets and to deliver reports to senior management Ability to influence, negotiate with, and motivate clinicians and staff at all levels and across disciplines to enable and create effective networks Knowledge of the governance and legislative framework for conducting clinical research studies, including Good Clinical Practice. Desirable criteria Experience of working in the NHS Experience of a wide range of Trust procedures and practices Engagement with stakeholders to understand requirements Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership. Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy. As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends. Flexible working We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individual’s personal circumstances as well the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process. Your e-mail address is important to us - We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis. Please apply for this post by clicking "Apply Online Now." Applicant requirements The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions. Further details / informal visits contact Name Scarlett Gillespie Job title Research Manager Email address [email protected]