Research Contracts and Funding Manager

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A major NHS hospital group in Greater London is seeking a Research Contracts and Funding Manager to oversee the negotiation and management of research contracts and funding streams. You'll work in a dynamic environment, requiring a solid understanding of research governance and legal frameworks. Ideal candidates will have experience in healthcare contracts management and a scientific background. The role offers a competitive salary with opportunities for professional development and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare contracts and grants management.
• Strong understanding of legislation affecting healthcare research.
• Proven ability to manage teams and deliver training.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and manage research agreements, ensuring compliance.
• Identify funding opportunities and oversee financial management.
• Lead training and professional development initiatives.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Contract management

Financial management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

University degree or equivalent

Post-graduate qualification in Life or Clinical sciences

Job description

Research Contracts and Funding Manager

Closing date: 04 January 2026

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

• Draft, negotiate and manage research agreements (MTAs, DTAs, CDAs, SLAs, multi‑partner collaborations), ensuring compliance with NHS, legal and funder requirements.
• Identify funding opportunities, maintain contract templates and manage financial reporting for grants.
• Develop and implement SOPs and digital systems for tracking contract performance and timeliness.
• Provide expert advice on contractual and governance matters, lead training initiatives, support strategic research programmes and foster collaboration with stakeholders.
• Line‑manage an R&I Contracts and Funding Officer, ensuring systems and processes are in place to apply for research funding calls and increase 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.

Job responsibilities

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 optimisations 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

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

Knowledge

• Research healthcare contracts knowledge and experience.
• Research healthcare grants management knowledge and experience.
• Line management experience.
• Knowledge of legislation, regulation and their impact on healthcare research.
• Experience developing processes, systems and SOPs to manage activity.
• NHS experience.
• Experience delivering training.
• Budgetary experience.
• Understanding of intellectual property law, including patents, confidence, copyright and their exploitation.

Skills

• Capable of collating and compiling complex information into written reports.
• 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 name

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Salary

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