Research Contracts and Funding Manager

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS healthcare provider is looking for a dynamic R&I Contracts and Funding Manager to lead the negotiation and management of research contracts. This full-time role requires expertise in research governance, strong project management skills, and a commitment to enhancing clinical trials and collaborative projects. The position is based in Greater London. The salary ranges from £56,276 to £63,176 per year, reflecting the importance of this pivotal role in supporting innovation across the NHS.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in research healthcare contracts and grants management.
• Strong legislative knowledge and how it impacts healthcare research.
• Experience in developing SOPs and managing activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiation and management of research contracts.
• Identify funding opportunities and maintain contract templates.
• Line-manage the Contracts and Funding Officer.

Skills

Project management skills

Ability to translate complex information

Knowledge of research healthcare contracts

Education

University degree or equivalent

Post-graduate degree

Job description

Job summary

We're seeking a dynamic and experienced R&I Contracts and Funding Manager to join our Group Corporate Research & Innovation Directorate at St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group. In this pivotal role, you'll lead the negotiation and management of research contracts and funding streams, enabling groundbreaking clinical trials and collaborative projects. If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment, have a strong grasp of research governance and legal frameworks, and are passionate about supporting innovation across the NHS, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

Responsible for leading and overseeing aspects of research contracting and funding applications across the group. This includes drafting, negotiating, and managing a wide range of research agreements, ensuring legal compliance and strategic alignment. The role involves identifying funding opportunities, maintaining contract templates, managing financial reporting for grants, and implementing digital systems for tracking contract performance. The postholder also provides expert advice on contractual and governance matters, leads training initiatives, supports strategic research programmes, and fosters collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to drive innovation and operational excellence. Role will line‑manage the officer position and will need to ensure systems and processes in place to apply for research funding calls from diverse funding partners, ensuring an increase in research income.

About us

St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000‑strong workforce.

At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.

Details

Date posted

12 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£56,276 to £63,176 a year pa pro‑rata incl HCAS (inner London)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full‑time, Compressed hours

Reference number

200-NN-7584435-A&C-Z

Job locations

Tooting

Blackshaw Road, SW17 0RE

London

SW17 0RE

Job description

Contracting and Legal Oversight

• Draft, review, negotiate, and execute research agreements including MTAs, DTAs, CDAs, SLAs, and multi‑partner collaborations.
• Ensure all contracts comply with NHS policies, legal frameworks, and funder requirements.
• Lead quality control processes for research agreements prior to execution.
• Advise on contractual strategy, governance, and risk to clinical, academic, and executive colleagues.

Funding and Financial Management

• Oversee grant submissions and ensure accurate financial terms are included in contracts.
• Identify strategic funding opportunities and support innovation across the research portfolio.
• Serve as project manager for large‑scale or strategic research programmes hosted by the Trust.

Team Leadership and Development

• Line‑manage the R&I Contracts and Funding Officer, fostering a high‑performance culture.
• Provide training and professional development to direct reports and researchers.
• Lead thematic innovation initiatives and cultivate new partnerships.

Systems and Process Management

• Develop and implement SOPs and work instructions for research contracting and funding.
• Maintain a Trust‑wide electronic register of contractual documentation.
• Lead the optimisation of digital systems for tracking contract timelines, deliverables, and compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement in contract‑related workflows to meet strategic targets.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Represent the Trust in high‑level negotiations with sponsors, funders, and partner institutions.
• Translate complex contractual and financial information into actionable insights for stakeholders.
• Promote collaboration across NHS, academic, and industry partners.
• Ensure high‑quality reporting to funders and senior leadership.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• University degree (or equivalent).
• A scientific background or qualification, preferably at the post‑graduate level and ideally in the Life or Clinical sciences.

Qualifications (Desirable)

• Post‑graduate degree.
• Project Management qualification.

Knowledge (Essential)

• Research Healthcare contracts knowledge and experience.
• Research Healthcare grants management knowledge and experience.
• Line Management.
• Legislation and regulation and how it impacts healthcare research.
• Experience of developing processes, systems and SOPs to manage activity.

Knowledge (Desirable)

• NHS experience.
• Developing and delivering training.
• Budgetary experience.
• Innovation considerations including Intellectual Property Law, including patent law, law of confidence, copyright law, its identification, protection and exploitation.

Skills (Essential)

• Able to collate and compile complex information into written reports.
• Proven project management skills.
• Ability to translate national policy or guidance for application to the local situation.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Tooting

Blackshaw Road, SW17 0RE

London

SW17 0RE

Employer's website

https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/