Research Contracts and Funding Manager | St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

st georges nhs trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Greater London seeks a dynamic R&I Contracts and Funding Manager to negotiate and manage research contracts, overseeing funding applications while supporting innovation across the NHS. The role involves leading a high-performance team, ensuring compliance with legal frameworks, and engaging with various stakeholders to promote collaboration. Ideal candidates will possess strong negotiation skills and a deep understanding of research governance. Flexible working arrangements are encouraged.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in research contract negotiations and management.
• Strong understanding of funding applications and grant submissions.
• Ability to lead and develop teams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the negotiation and management of research contracts.
• Oversee grant submissions and financial terms compliance.
• Line manage the R&I Contracts and Funding Officer.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Knowledge of NHS policies

Stakeholder engagement

Research governance

Financial management

Education

Degree in relevant field

Job description

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.

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 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.

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, the hospitals group will help us 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.

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.

This advert closes on Sunday 4 Jan 2026.