Director of Health and Care Research Wales Faculty

NHS; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 89,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity exists within NHS Wales for a Director of Health and Care Research. This fixed-term role, requiring a commitment of up to 22.5 hours per week, focuses on leading strategic initiatives in health research and facilitating the development of researcher careers in Wales. Applicants must have a proven background in managing complex research projects, along with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Proven track record as Chief Investigator in health care research.
• Significant management experience within NHS contexts.
• Strong understanding of national research policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice for health and care research initiatives.
• Lead service improvement projects related to researcher career development.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

PhD in a relevant subject

Research and/or Management qualification

Job description

Job summary

THIS POST IS FIXED TERM FOR 11 MONTHS TO END OF MAY 2026 DUE TO FUNDING.

A unique and exciting opportunity has arisen for an exceptional individual to be appointed as a Director of Health and Care Research Wales Faculty (up to 22.5 hours per week)

The post holder will have a track record in research and in managing complex projects, have excellent communication skills, and a positive and flexible approach to the needs of the Service.

This is a fixed term appointment (until end May 2026) to advise on the Health and Care Research Wales Faculty schemes and take a lead role in specific service improvement projects related to the development of researcher careers in Wales.

The post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Main duties of the job

The Director of Faculty will:

• Provide strategic advice for the development, implementation and management of the Health and Care Research Wales Faculty schemes, seeking feedback from the researcher community/other stakeholders to inform recommendations

• Take a lead role in specific service improvement projects relating to researcher career development

About us

This is a Health and Care Research Wales post, hosted by Powys Teaching Health Board.

Health and Care Research Wales is a networked organisation, supported by Welsh Government, which brings together a wide range of partners across the NHS in Wales, local authorities, universities, research institutions, third sector and others.

Health and Care Research Wales works in support of Welsh Government's overarching goal which is to ensure that today's research makes a difference to tomorrow's care.

Its mission is to promote, support and provide collective oversight of health and social care research in Wales.

Ensuring it is of the highest international scientific quality, is relevant to the needs and challenges of health and social care in Wales and makes a difference to policy and practice in ways that improve the lives of patients, people, and communities in Wales.

Details Date posted

02 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£89,491 to £103,203 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

070-AC086-0725

Job locations

Cardiff

Cardiff

CF10 3NQ

Job description Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply

Job description Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Educated to PhD level in a relevant subject or equivalent work experience
• Research and/or Management qualification or equivalent experience
• Specialist knowledge of learning and personal development approaches including experience of running fellowship and personal development award schemes or equivalent
• Significant understanding of national research policy and current issues in NHS Wales

Experience Essential

• Proven track record and experience of leading the development and delivery of health and/or social care research studies as a Chief Investigator
• Highly developed knowledge of researcher careers and their pathways, and an understanding of facilitators and barriers to developing a researcher career in Wales
• Significant experience of stakeholder engagement
• Significant experience of managing projects
• Experience of research activities to produce high quality briefings and reports
• Experience of making strategic connections, identifying opportunities and risks, and to explore innovative ways of working
• Experience of strategic planning and monitoring at a regional/national level, including interaction with a variety of organisations
• Experience of working at a managerial level including management of staff, recruitment & selection, capability, disciplinary, mentoring and governance
• Knowledge and experience of latest legislation in research management and governance and GCP; NHS Structures and organisation

Skills Essential

• Highly competent, persuasive, and diplomatic networker with excellent interpersonal skills and a strong track record in building effective relationships with a wide range of partners and individuals
• Highly effective communicator, with excellent verbal and written skills, who can represent effectively at all levels
• Ability to provide strategic leadership for national projects
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop others
• Organisation and time management skills to manage and deliver a range of tasks and projects to tight deadlines
• IT skills particularly in the use of MS Office applications
• Analysis and presentation skills - able to analyse and present complex data, in a range of formats to a variety of audiences
• Flexible approach to working, including problem solving skills, management of change and a desire to develop knowledge

Other Essential

• Demonstrate the NHS Wales Values and Behaviours
• Able to prioritise work, manage time effectively and deliver results on time
• Ability to travel to locations in Wales and the UK, based on service need

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Educated to PhD level in a relevant subject or equivalent work experience
• Research and/or Management qualification or equivalent experience
• Specialist knowledge of learning and personal development approaches including experience of running fellowship and personal development award schemes or equivalent
• Significant understanding of national research policy and current issues in NHS Wales

Experience Essential

• Proven track record and experience of leading the development and delivery of health and/or social care research studies as a Chief Investigator
• Highly developed knowledge of researcher careers and their pathways, and an understanding of facilitators and barriers to developing a researcher career in Wales
• Significant experience of stakeholder engagement
• Significant experience of managing projects
• Experience of research activities to produce high quality briefings and reports
• Experience of making strategic connections, identifying opportunities and risks, and to explore innovative ways of working
• Experience of strategic planning and monitoring at a regional/national level, including interaction with a variety of organisations
• Experience of working at a managerial level including management of staff, recruitment & selection, capability, disciplinary, mentoring and governance
• Knowledge and experience of latest legislation in research management and governance and GCP; NHS Structures and organisation

Skills Essential

• Highly competent, persuasive, and diplomatic networker with excellent interpersonal skills and a strong track record in building effective relationships with a wide range of partners and individuals
• Highly effective communicator, with excellent verbal and written skills, who can represent effectively at all levels
• Ability to provide strategic leadership for national projects
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop others
• Organisation and time management skills to manage and deliver a range of tasks and projects to tight deadlines
• IT skills particularly in the use of MS Office applications
• Analysis and presentation skills - able to analyse and present complex data, in a range of formats to a variety of audiences
• Flexible approach to working, including problem solving skills, management of change and a desire to develop knowledge

Other Essential

• Demonstrate the NHS Wales Values and Behaviours
• Able to prioritise work, manage time effectively and deliver results on time
• Ability to travel to locations in Wales and the UK, based on service need

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details Employer name

Powys Teaching Health Board

Address

Cardiff

Cardiff

CF10 3NQ

Employer's website

https://pthb.nhs.wales/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Powys Teaching Health Board

Address

Cardiff

Cardiff

CF10 3NQ

Employer's website

https://pthb.nhs.wales/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)