Clinical Operations Manager

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in London seeks an experienced Clinical Operations Manager to oversee the epilepsy clinical trials portfolio. The ideal candidate will have significant leadership and operational skills, driving strategic initiatives while ensuring regulatory compliance. This role involves managing a diverse team and promoting collaboration across multiple sites. Candidates should possess experience in clinical trial management and a strong commitment to innovation in healthcare.

Qualifications

• Experience leading epilepsy clinical trials and managing a clinical operations portfolio.
• Strong operational, financial, and governance expertise.
• Proven leadership and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of a diverse portfolio of epilepsy clinical trials.
• Drive trial set-up, monitoring progress, and ensure studies' regulatory compliance.
• Line manage the research nurses and guide the wider research delivery team.

Skills

Clinical operations management

Leadership

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Financial management

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and solutions-focused Clinical Operations Manager to lead the epilepsy clinical trials portfolio at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN). This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated leader with strong operational, financial, and governance expertise to shape the future of epilepsy research across two internationally recognised sites.

Based across NHNN Queen Square (London) and the Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy (Buckinghamshire), you will oversee study setup, trial delivery, and financial sustainability of both commercial and non-commercial trials, working closely with Principal Investigators, Senior Research Nurses, and the UCL/UCLH Joint Research Office. This is a strategic yet hands-on role where you will strengthen trial capacity, accelerate setup timelines, and ensure high-quality, compliant delivery. You will also line manage members of the research delivery team, supporting staff recruitment, development, and workload allocation. Acting as a key contact for investigators, sponsors, CROs, and regulators, you will represent UCLH as a leading site for epilepsy research.

The ideal candidate will combine leadership with problem-solving skills, thrive in collaboration, and be motivated to drive innovation in clinical research. You will ensure studies are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with GCP and regulatory requirements across both locations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of a diverse portfolio of epilepsy clinical trials across NHNN Queen Square (London) and the Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy (Buckinghamshire).
• Drive trial set-up, monitoring progress, and ensure studies are delivered safely, on time, and to the highest regulatory standards.
• Line manage the research nurses and guide the wider research delivery team, supporting recruitment, training, and development to build a motivated and skilled workforce.
• Strengthen collaboration with investigators, industry partners, and regulators, while ensuring the financial sustainability of the portfolio through accurate and timely income recovery.
• Act as a key contact for investigators, sponsors, CROs, and regulators, representing UCLH at national and industry forums.

Qualifications

• Experience leading epilepsy clinical trials and managing a clinical operations portfolio.
• Strong operational, financial, and governance expertise with the ability to drive strategic initiatives.
• Proven leadership and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate across multiple sites and stakeholders.
• Knowledge and experience delivering studies in line with GCP and regulatory requirements.
• Experience line-managing staff, overseeing recruitment, training, and development.
• Ability to ensure financial sustainability of the portfolio, including income recovery processes.

About UCLH

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Kat Saunders Job title: Service Manager Email address: [e-mail]