NIHR Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) Director

NHS Jobs; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 113,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS benefits/discounts

Wagestream - access up to 40% of your薪

On-site Nursery

On-site cafes with staff discounts

Free Park & Ride

Free confidential counselling

Excellent pension scheme and annual/UN

Job summary

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is hosting the NIHR East of England RRDN Director role, a senior leadership position guiding regional research delivery and strategy. You will oversee governance, budgets and major programmes, collaborating with NHS bodies, universities and industry to enhance health research impact.

The role requires an executive-level leader with a Masters degree, extensive change management experience and a commitment to reducing health inequalities.

Qualifications

• Masters level qualification or equivalent.
• Proven senior level leadership in research delivery.
• Experience in governance and NHS policy implementation.
• Strong ability to engage diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the RRDN, delivering its three-year plan and ensuring value for money.
• Oversee strategic planning, business planning and governance across the RRDN.
• Manage a senior leadership team and monitor daily RRDN operations and budgets.
• Lead engagement with NHS organisations, IC/ICBs, HEIs and life sciences partners to maximise impact.
• Drive performance management and ensure contract obligations are met.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Change management

Education

Masters level qualification

Job description

NIHR Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) Director

The NIHR East of England Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) Director is a senior, high-impact leadership role. As East of England (EoE) RRDN Network Director, you will provide strategic direction, operational oversight and system-wide leadership to enable the effective delivery of high-quality research that benefits patients, the public and the wider health and care system. You will shape regional strategy, influence national priorities as a member of the NIHR RDN Board, and lead major programmes of work that strengthen research capability and capacity across diverse settings.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced, visionary leader who thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. You will bring a deep understanding of research, the NHS and the wider health and care system, alongside proven executive-level experience in strategic leadership, change management and cross-organisational collaboration. If you are motivated by improving outcomes, tackling health inequalities and supporting innovation across the life sciences and health research landscape, this role offers a rare platform to make a national impact.

Interview date: 11 November 2026

Main duties of the job

As EoE RRDN Network Director, you will lead the establishment, delivery and performance of the East of England Regional Research Delivery Network. This includes overseeing strategic planning, operational management and business planning, ensuring effective governance, driving continuous improvement, and championing the involvement of patients, carers and the public in research. You will manage a senior leadership team, provide expert guidance on research delivery, and oversee a significant annual budget to ensure value for money and high-quality services. You will also build strong relationships with NHS organisations, Integrated Care Systems, NIHR partners, universities, local authorities and the life sciences industry to maximise research impact and opportunity.

We are seeking a strategic, politically astute leader with outstanding communication, negotiation and stakeholder-engagement skills. You will need extensive experience of leading complex programmes, managing large budgets and interpreting national policy into deliverable regional priorities. Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities are essential, along with integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and the ability to inspire teams. A Master's degree and executive-level leadership experience are required.

About us

The EoE RRDN Network is hosted by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Join us and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

We are one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

• Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
• Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
• On-site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
• On-site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Job responsibilities

For full details of duties and responsibilities as part of this role, please view the Job Description and person specification.

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

• Overall leadership, delivery and management of the RRDNBe accountable to the Host Lead, NIHR RDN CEO and the RDN Board for;the establishment and delivery of the RRDN the operational performance of the RRDN the management and assurance of RRDN funding oversight of the development and delivery of the RRDN 3 year Strategic Implementation Plan ensuring the Host Organisation fulfils the obligations of the RRDN Host Organisation Contract Be a visible leader and actively promote a culture of staff development and wellbeing ensuring the vision, values and behaviours of the RDN are embraced across the RRDN

BUSINESS PLANNING

• Strategic oversight, development and approval of RRDN business, financial, strategic development and impact plans, and associated reports
• Develop and optimise potential for high quality and sustainable health and care research within the region and nationally in alignment with RDN vision, direction and strategic aims

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

• Overall accountability for the delivery and management of the RRDN with oversight of all aspects of the RRDNs daily business
• Line management of the RRDN Strategic Development Director, RRDN Operations Director and RRDN Health & Care Research Directors and have ultimate accountability for all departments and roles in the RRDN Staff structure

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

• Provide strong leadership, engaging with the regional research community to support and enable the efficient set up and delivery of RDN Portfolio research, with particular emphasis on addressing the needs of the life sciences industry
• Ensure the establishment and oversight of effective systems and processes for robust performance management to ensure the RRDN Host Organisation Contract is adhered to

NHS AND NON-NHS ENGAGEMENT

• Develop and foster effective relationships and collaborations with stakeholders such as, but not limited to, IC/ICBs, HEIs, charities, other NIHR infrastructure, NHSE/I, AHSNs, to enhance and promote research and development across the health and care economy
• Ensure engagement and commitment from regional NHS organisations / providers of NHS services, other parts of NIHR and key external stakeholders as appropriate to enable implementation of RDN strategies

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• Masters level qualification or equivalent

Knowledge and Experience

• Professional research leadership, both strategic and operational at a senior level
• Proven senior level experience of leading and delivering complex change and strategy development programmes in a politically sensitive and complex environment
• Understanding of governance and legislative framework for clinical research in the NHS

Value and Personal Qualities

• Demonstrates honesty and integrity and promotes organisational values

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.

£112,782 to £129,783 a yearper annum (pro rata)