Senior Translational Research Grants Manager

Senior Translational Research Grants Manager

The Royal Marsden Hospital together with its academic partner The Institute of Cancer Research form the only specialist cancer NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), supporting translational clinical research into cancer diagnosis and treatment. The joint institution demonstrates breadth and depth in experimental cancer research and provides a highly active and effective clinical research environment, with a critical mass of experienced internationally renowned clinicians and biomedical scientists engaged in leading-edge translational research. Our shared vision is to improve outcomes for everyone at risk of, and affected by, cancer globally through development of new approaches to prevention, more accurate and earlier diagnosis, and bespoke therapies, underpinned by smart use of data and technology. The BRC is seeking an experienced Senior Translational Research Grants Manager to provide dedicated support for the RM/ICR BRC scientific and clinical leaders guiding them on the best translational funding pathways to be pursued for their research and assisting them in completion and submission of grant applications to external funders.

Main duties of the job

This senior role will be responsible for delivering high quality management and leadership to:

• Lead the governance, policy and processes for submission of research funding applications involving RM resources, ensuring that these are fully integrated into our overall governance pathway for RM/ICR sponsored research and ensuring that all grant applications are appropriately costed to ensure full cost recovery.
• Oversee the provision of an advisory and management service, including bespoke support plus wider training provision, to support research active doctors, nurses and allied health professionals apply to funding bodies operating in the translational space, with the main focus on NIHR funding schemes but also including other non-commercial and commercial funders.
• Oversee the management of complex, milestone-based successful programmes, including leading and line management of a small team of programme/project managers.
• Identify opportunities and support RM and ICR researchers to influence the national agenda through research funders.

This post will play a major role in moving preclinical research along the translational research pathway by identifying funding opportunities at all stages from development through to implementation for the benefit of patients.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:

Research funding policies and procedures

Maintain the RM policy that governs processes for obtaining approvals for RM resources to be committed within a research funding application.

Develop and manage systems to process and capture external research funding application submissions and monitor award rates for RM (including commercial funding) that integrate with the overall process and pathway. Present regular reports to senior management.

• Working with Chief Investigators (CIs) from both RM and ICR to develop progression plans which will move their research along the translational pathway. Provide tailored advice on suitable funding schemes such as NIHR/DHSC, UKRI, cancer charities and Welcome Trust to enable progress from one stage to another to achieve patient benefit.

The postholder will work with Chief Investigators to develop translational project plans, craft and submit grant applications to major funders with a focus on NIHR and lead a small team that project manages successfully funded projects. Candidates should have extensive experience of translational science, co-ordinating and progressing product development from preclinical to clinical testing (phase I/II) and proven ability to liaise with multiple groups and individuals. The successful applicant should be educated to post graduate degree level in a relevant discipline or have equivalent knowledge and experience. Excellent communication and organisational skills are essential to this post. Previous relevant project management experience in a research funder or industry setting would be an advantage. This is a hybrid role with a combination of on-site and home working.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

• PhD in medical or life sciences or equivalent experience.
• Commitment to continued professional development.

Experience

• Extensive experience of a broad range of research methodologies and successful progression of projects along a translational pathway (gained in industry or academia).
• Able to demonstrate strong practical understanding of and experience in project management principles.
• Experience of critically analysing and evaluating translational research, research proposals and commercial opportunities.
• Experience of monitoring and completing complex projects and setting budgets, timescales and deadlines.
• Experience of establishing and maintaining relationships with a complex network of stakeholders and partners.
• Experience of developing teams and managing staff within various structures, including direct reports, project and matrix formats.
• Experience and knowledge of experimental approaches required to develop therapeutics, diagnostics and/or medical devices in the cancer field.
• Experience and knowledge of the regulatory pathway for therapeutics and/or in-vitro diagnostics.
• Some experience and knowledge of intellectual property exploitation.
• Experience of developing and delivering training programmes related to health and clinical research.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

• Knowledge of grant application processes for major funding bodies operating in the translational space, including NIHR, UKRI, The Wellcome Trust, other charities and commercial funding.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven track record of influencing colleagues through credible debate and the provision of effective support.
• Ability to engage at a peer-to-peer level with experienced scientists and clinicians plus research funders/industrial partners.
• Ability to analyse information, evaluate the results, and suggest evidence-based solutions.
• Advanced organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at various stages of development.
• Outstanding grant application and business case writing skills.
• Ability to use information technology solutions to produce reports, create and maintain databases, prepare presentations, and efficiently provide information.
• Ability to work independently, managing and prioritising own workload.
• Ability to effectively navigate hospital and academic organisational infrastructure.

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.