Agile Research Delivery Team Clinical Manager

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS foundation trust in the South West is looking for an Agile Research Delivery Team Clinical Manager. This role requires strong leadership to manage a team conducting NIHR research across diverse health and care settings. The successful candidate will collaborate with various health professionals, ensuring the effective delivery of research studies. Staff benefits include competitive leave, occupational health services, and flexible working arrangements, which promote a healthy work-life balance.

Benefits

27–33 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays

Access to NHS Pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Staff discounts and well-being activities

Qualifications

• Experience in leading teams in a health or research environment.
• Proven track record in research delivery and project management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Agile Research Delivery Team in the SWP.
• Manage delivery of NIHR RDN portfolio studies.
• Facilitate collaboration among health professionals.

Skills

Leadership

Research delivery

Team management

Communication

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Agile Research Delivery Team Clinical Manager

The closing date is 16 January 2026

Are you passionate about driving research forward and looking for a new challenge? We are seeking an experienced and motivated Regional Research Manager to join our Agile Research Delivery Team in the South West Peninsula (SWP).

The role involves leading a team of multi professionals to deliver National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Delivery Network (RDN) Portfolio studies across varied health and care settings. As team manager you will be responsible for a regionally based, flexible, multi‑disciplinary staff who support the delivery of NIHR RDN portfolio studies across a range of health and care specialties and settings.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far up to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state‑of‑the‑art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world‑class care to our local communities.

It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you’ll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Job responsibilities

Regional service requiring a moderate level of travel across the South West Peninsula.

The role will work alongside different professions from multiple organisations involved in health and care research and will be an integral part of the Agile Research Delivery Team. The Team Manager will be responsible for an enhanced study support offering for social and wider care settings.

The post holder will work closely with the other Agile Research Delivery Team Managers and be accountable to the Agile Research Delivery Team Senior Clinical Manager.

This role is key to leading a dynamic locality team who enable, facilitate and support research studies across existing and new wider care settings. As team leader you will be responsible for the planning, development and implementation of the NIHR RDN portfolio that reflects the community, with a focus on the health and social care issues of the population within the region.

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week. Monday – Friday

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

For further information please contact: Helen Chenoweth, NIHR RRDN Head of Research Delivery and support for wider care settings, [e-mail]

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and ‘At Risk’ status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we’ll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work‑life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you’re starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You’ll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You’ll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter.

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available. If the role is something you are interested in, we’d love to hear from you.

Person Specification

General Requirements

• See job description text above.
• See job description text above.

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

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust