Research Director / Director CRDC (Primary Care) (Combined Role)

The Methodist Church in Britain; Weston-super-Mare; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain is seeking a senior leader to head the research department and the CRDC within the Pier Health PCN. The role focuses on growing a commercially sustainable research portfolio, meeting contract targets, and building partnerships with NIHR, sponsors and CROs.

You will oversee governance, quality, and financial management across a population network and lead a multi-disciplinary team to deliver measurable outcomes and growth in primary care research capacity.

Qualifications

• Relevant clinical, research, healthcare management or business qualification.
• Evidence of successful bid writing and implementation through to project completion.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to grow PCN research and the CRDC (Primary Care) and secure long-term financial sustainability.
• Deliver contract requirements, commercial agreements, KPIs and agreed objectives.
• Develop a successful research portfolio across commercial and academic studies.
• Build partnerships with CRDC networks, RRDN, NHS trusts, PCNs, GP practices, sponsors, CROs, universities and other stakeholders.
• Identify new commercial research opportunities and partnerships.
• Oversee research quality, governance, performance and financial management.
• Monitor performance, manage risks and ensure delivery against targets.
• Lead, develop and motivate the research team, including line management and workforce development.
• Support regional research strategy and growth in primary care research capacity.
• Prepare funding bids, annual reports and impact reports.
• Provide monthly updates to the Pier Health Group Board and Finance Director.

Skills

Senior leadership

People management

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Education

Relevant clinical, research, healthcare management or business qualification

Job description

This is a senior combined role leading the research department and the CRDC (Primary Care) within the Pier Health PCN, a team of over 15 staff that includes six research-active GPs. The post centres on growing a commercially sustainable research portfolio, meeting contract targets and KPIs, and building partnerships with NIHR, sponsors and CROs. It draws on a population of 100,000 registered patients and a wider research network covering about 1.2 million people. Primary care and commercial research experience are mandatory for shortlisting.

What the job involves

• Provide strategic leadership to grow PCN research and the CRDC (Primary Care) and secure long-term financial sustainability
• Deliver contract requirements, commercial agreements, KPIs and agreed objectives
• Develop a successful research portfolio across commercial and academic studies
• Build partnerships with CRDC networks, RRDN, NHS trusts, PCNs, GP practices, sponsors, CROs, universities and other stakeholders
• Identify new commercial research opportunities and partnerships
• Oversee research quality, governance, performance and financial management
• Monitor performance, manage risks and ensure delivery against targets
• Lead, develop and motivate the research team, including line management and workforce development
• Support regional research strategy and growth in primary care research capacity
• Prepare funding bids, annual reports and impact reports
• Provide monthly updates to the Pier Health Group Board and Finance Director

Qualifications

• Relevant clinical, research, healthcare management or business qualification
• Evidence of successful bid writing and implementation through to project completion

Experience

• Substantial primary care or general practice experience, including senior leadership in that setting and an understanding of the research challenges within it
• Experience of Primary Care Networks, their governance and operational challenges, and collaborative working across organisational boundaries
• Proven budget responsibility and contract management
• Significant commercial research study delivery, ideally within primary care or the NHS
• Experience working with pharmaceutical, biotech, CRO or other commercial research organisations
• Understanding of all stages of commercial research delivery, from feasibility to study delivery

Skills & knowledge

• Senior leadership and people management in multi-professional teams, including research leadership
• Delivering against contracts, KPIs and performance objectives
• Commercial and business development skills
• Stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
• Strong understanding of research governance and quality requirements
• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills

Other

• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills
• Demonstrable track record of delivering measurable outcomes

Nice to have

• Previous senior PCN or research leadership experience
• Experience of leading a CRDC or equivalent primary care research infrastructure
• Experience of delivering NHS, commissioner or sponsor contracts
• Experience of working across multiple PCNs or practices
• Established relationships with pharmaceutical, biotech or CRO organisations
• Experience of developing or scaling a commercial research function
• Knowledge of NIHR and NHS research infrastructure

What’s offered

• Flexible working practices
• Seven-day access to research facilities
• Adaptable participant appointments
• Access to community and secondary care diagnostics and local laboratory support