Band 8a Deputy Head of Research Data Governance

NHS; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Deputy Head of Research Data Governance. This critical role involves overseeing data governance within a dynamic team, ensuring compliance with regulations while fostering high-quality research practices. Candidates should possess a strong educational background and substantial experience in data management within healthcare settings, with exemplary stakeholder engagement skills.

Qualifications

• Educated to Masters level qualification or equivalent experience working at a senior level in healthcare data function.
• In-depth knowledge in data research and management.
• Experience in working with sensitive and confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Research Data Governance Team and establish standards in data governance.
• Ensure research activities comply with relevant standards and regulations.
• Develop and implement policies for data access and ethics.

Skills

Data Governance

Stakeholder Management

Negotiation

Attention to Detail

Education

Degree or equivalent professional qualification

Masters level qualification or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Band 8a Deputy Head of Research Data Governance

The closing date is 08 July 2025

The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHBFT) Research Development & Innovation department are committed to the responsible use of data to improve patient care and the population's health and well-being. The Post holder will be working within the Research Data Team responsible for managing a range of projects within the Healthcare Data Research Portfolio.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role within the Research Development and Innovation department, leading the Research Data Governance Team. They will take ownership of establishing and maintaining standards in Research Data Governance, with a focus on supporting specific data research governance practices. This role is essential for enabling high-quality, compliant research while ensuring data integrity and building trust among stakeholders.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work closely with many diverse departments to ensure research activity is understood in terms of safety, integrity and compliance with relevant standards both within UHB and external regulatory bodies. The post holder must be able to communicate information to a wide range of staff groups, i.e. Consultants, data scientists, external stakeholders from both academia and Industry. The post holder will be able to prioritise their workload effectively. They will oversee research data governance, ensuring compliance with national regulatory, ethical, and organisational standards. Specialising in the governance of research data, the postholder will develop and implement policies, support robust decision-making, and facilitate secure, ethical access to data for research and innovation.

About us

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For those staff with a disability, including physical disability, long term health condition, mental health or neurodiverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.

Job responsibilities

*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description*

Person Specification

Qualifications

• *Degree or equivalent professional qualification, management qualification (e.g. or equivalent experience and Educated to a Masters level qualification or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in healthcare data function
• *In-depth knowledge in data Research including experience and training plus further management knowledge to post-graduate diploma level or equivalent.
• *Experience of further professional development
• *Knowledge of Human Tissue Act, Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations, Common law of Confidentiality, Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR acquired through degree or equivalent.
• *Evidence of relevant continued professional development.

Experience

• *Experience in technology, healthcare, and research innovation
• *Excellent working knowledge of MHRA
• *Experience in writing Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)
• *Experience of an agile user centred approach to project management
• *Proven ability to negotiate and motivate teams to ensure project delivery.
• *Experience in understanding technical discussions and documentation including data and digital themes.
• *Experience in dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
• *Understanding of Research Data Governance process
• *Experience of working with public & private sector funding
• *Knowledge of Data science and data research within the NHS
• *Have demonstrable experience of understanding and implementing key legislation to practice, including the UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR), ISO standards and Information Commissioners Office (ICO) guidance.
• *Hold extensive knowledge of NHS data and the use of it in terms of Governance practices
• *Understanding of the needs of hospital staff, clinicians, and researchers.
• *Experience working with Commercial companies to service data requests
• *Experience of working in hospital setting

Additional Criteria

• *Knowledge of IT systems and software programmes, specifically Microsoft packages.
• *Knowledge of NHSE national Programmes and Guidelines
• *Ability to work autonomously and to tight deadlines.
• *Proven relationship management skills across stakeholder groups
• *Ability to work under pressure.
• *Effective team working/Collaborative.
• *Professional, calm, and efficient manner
• *Positive and flexible approach to work
• *Ability to work under pressure within tight deadlines and prioritise workloads
• *Flexible approach to work with a strong motivation
• *Strong attention to detail
• *The post holder will be required to work flexibly for this post
• *May be required to work and travel across all UHB sites and externally as required by the role

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.

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust