Deputy Director of Approvals

The Methodist Church in Britain; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid or office-based options

Investment in staff development

Wellbeing-focused workplace culture

Job summary

The Health Research Authority is seeking a Deputy Director of Approvals to provide executive leadership for regulatory services, including Research Ethics Committees and the Confidentiality Advisory Group. The role shapes the approvals landscape across the UK and leads major programmes that support strategic objectives.

Flexible, home-based or compressed-hours options are available. Applicants need a right to work in the UK; sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• Masters-level education in a relevant subject, or equivalent senior management experience.
• Significant senior-level experience in health and care research management or regulation.
• Proven ability to develop strategies, business plans and manage financial performance.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive and strategic leadership for regulatory services, including Research Ethics Committees and the Confidentiality Advisory Group.
• Drive service improvement, innovation and transformation across the approvals landscape.
• Oversee operational performance, business planning, workforce planning, risk management and financial performance across the directorate.
• Act as deputy to the Director of Approvals, leading across the full directorate when required.
• Build and maintain relationships with government departments, regulators, NHS organisations, researchers, universities and industry.
• Lead major programmes and projects that support the HRA's strategic objectives.
• Provide expert leadership on research regulation, ethics, and related policy development.
• Lead and inspire a large, diverse workforce and volunteer community, fostering inclusion and accountability.

Skills

Ethical frameworks

Regulatory knowledge

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

Change management

Data protection knowledge

Education

Masters-level education

Job description

The Deputy Director of Approvals sits on the Health Research Authority's Executive Committee, working alongside the Director to lead the Approvals Service directorate. The role gives strategic and operational direction to Research Ethics Committees and the Confidentiality Advisory Group, and drives standardised research regulation across the UK. It is a full-time senior post over a large staff and volunteer community, with flexible, home-based or compressed-hours options. Sponsorship is not available, so applicants need an existing right to work in the UK.

What the job involves

• Provide executive and strategic leadership for regulatory services, including Research Ethics Committees and the Confidentiality Advisory Group
• Drive service improvement, innovation and transformation across the approvals landscape
• Oversee operational performance, business planning, workforce planning, risk management and financial performance across the directorate
• Act as deputy to the Director of Approvals, leading across the full directorate when required
• Build and maintain relationships with government departments, regulators, NHS organisations, researchers, universities, industry and other partners
• Lead major programmes and projects that support the HRA's strategic objectives
• Provide expert leadership on research regulation, research ethics and related policy development
• Lead and inspire a large, diverse workforce and volunteer community, fostering inclusion, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
• Lead work to coordinate and standardise regulatory practice across the UK
• Contribute to strategic decision-making and organisational performance

Qualifications

• Masters-level education in a relevant subject, or equivalent senior management experience

Experience

• Significant senior-level experience in health and care research management or regulation
• Leading complex change programmes across services, directorates or organisations, managing challenge and objections
• Developing strategies, business plans and financial management, and monitoring performance across organisational or cross-organisational services
• Measurable improvements in service delivery

Skills & knowledge

• Academic or practical experience applying ethical frameworks to shared decision-making
• Advanced knowledge of the UK health and care system and research environment, including research and data protection legislation and national regulatory policy and standards
• Advanced knowledge of management tools and leadership models, including organisational change
• Analytical skills to interpret legislation and policy, and to analyse complex, contradictory or incomplete data to reach evidence-based judgements
• Communicating with senior national experts, volunteer committee members and public contributors, and preparing complex proposals and business cases
• Negotiating, influencing and diplomacy, building collaborative relationships within and across organisations

Other

• Commitment to personal development, seeking and acting on feedback about leadership skills and personal impact
• Self-motivated, proactive and innovative, working independently
• Flexible and adaptable, adjusting priorities amid uncertainty and frequently changing demands
• Strong organisational skills, prioritising against a background of change
• High-quality customer service approach embedded in individuals and teams

Nice to have

• Management qualification or leadership training
• Education to Masters level or above in health and care research ethics or regulation

What’s offered

• Flexible working, with home-based contracts offered
• Hybrid or office-based options at some sites
• Compressed hours
• Working pattern tailored where possible
• Investment in staff development and professional growth
• Wellbeing-focused workplace culture