Study Support Service Manager

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Plymouth, Taunton, Truro, Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent health service provider in Plymouth seeks a Study Support Service Manager to lead key initiatives within the Regional Study Support Service. This role requires strong leadership skills and the ability to collaborate with various teams to optimize study performance and facilitate effective research delivery. Candidates will work closely with stakeholders across the health system, contributing to innovations and improvements. The role offers flexible working hours, competitive leave, and various employee benefits.

Benefits

27–33 days annual leave

NHS Pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Access to occupational health services

Staff discounts on shopping and fitness

Qualifications

• Experience in a leadership role within healthcare settings.
• Ability to engage with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of study support processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of critical study support services.
• Enhance strategic capacity and capability across the network.
• Cultivate a robust knowledge base with study delivery teams.
• Foster communities of practice for best practice exchange.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Team collaboration

Communication

Job description

Study Support Service Manager

The closing date is 19 January 2026

The Study Support Service Manager will assume a key leadership position in the Regional RDN (RRDN) Study Support Service, which will be seamlessly integrated within the collective national Study Support Service, which serves as the cornerstone of the NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN), facilitating the effective delivery of studies throughout the system while enhancing strategic capacity and capability.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state‑of‑the‑art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world‑class care to our local communities.

It’s never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you’ll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Job responsibilities

More detail about the role

The role will be entrusted with the delivery of critical services across a defined portfolio of specialties and settings. These encompass pre‑approval services such as Planning and Placement Service/national cost and attribution tools, as well as post‑approval services including portfolio oversight and on‑request services. Central to the role is the cultivation of a robust knowledge base within the assigned portfolio area, achieved through the establishment of communities of practice with relevant study and site delivery teams. By facilitating the exchange of best practices, the post‑holder will ensure optimal study performance as required. The role will also work in collaboration with Regional Specialty and Setting Leads, actively engaging in regional and national improvement projects, aligning efforts with strategic objectives, and fostering continuous improvement (CI) across the network.

The team offers a positive and developmental environment as well as being involved first hand in some of the most exciting innovative work health and care services have to offer. If you are looking for an interesting role which gives you the ability to work with research partners across the health and care system with a passion for research we are keen to hear from you.

The contractual base can be either Truro, Plymouth, Exeter or Taunton, with regular travel to local and regional offices required.

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section.

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week

Interview Date: To be confirmed

For further information please contact: Max Hough, NIHR RDN Support Service Senior Manager [e-mail]

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we’ll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work‑life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you’re starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You’ll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You’ll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we’d love to hear from you.

Person Specification

General Requirements

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description
• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

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

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust