Study Support Service Senior Manager

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Norwich; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust is seeking a Senior Manager to oversee the Study Support Service at their East of England facility. The role involves leading a 12-member team, ensuring high-quality service delivery and strategic alignment with national research goals. Ideal candidates should have strong leadership qualities, decision-making skills, and a passion for improving healthcare delivery. Flexible working hours and excellent development opportunities are offered in this impactful role.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Discounted gym memberships

Excellent pension scheme

Support in career development

Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service

Qualifications

• Experience in a leadership role within healthcare settings.
• Proven ability to manage and inspire teams.
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational aspects of the Study Support Service.
• Ensure delivery of pre- and post-approval services.
• Manage a multi-disciplinary team of 12.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic influence

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Job description

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced and motivated senior leader to manage the Study Support Service at the East of England Regional RDN. This key leadership role offers the opportunity to lead a diverse team and shape how research is delivered across the NHS and wider health and care system. You will provide clear direction, inspire your team, and ensure services are delivered consistently to a high standard, while contributing to the strategic aims of the national Research Delivery Network.

As part of a highly collaborative national leadership community, you will work with colleagues across regions to strengthen the consistency, quality, and efficiency of research delivery. Locally, you will lead a supportive and ambitious team that values collaboration, creativity, and problem solving. We are committed to building strong partnerships with health and care organisations and making a tangible difference to research delivery.

Our culture is open, respectful, and based on shared leadership—your expertise will be valued, and your ideas will be heard. In return, we offer flexible working, excellent development opportunities, and the chance to influence and lead at the heart of the NHS and NIHR research system. If you are motivated by making an impact, thrive on leading people, and want to shape the future of research delivery, this is the role for you.

As Senior Manager, you will lead all local operational aspects of the Study Support Service, ensuring delivery of both pre-approval services (e.g. planning and placement, and national cost attribution tools) and post-approval services (portfolio oversight and on-request support). You will manage a multi-disciplinary team of 12, including 5 Study Support Service Managers, providing strong leadership, clear direction, and support for professional development while also contributing to national business planning and strategic priorities.

The role requires a confident and innovative leader who can work autonomously, make sound judgements, and drive improvements in how services are delivered. You will work closely with health and care organisations across the East of England, collaborate with delivery leaders to troubleshoot challenges and build capacity and capability to deliver research. You will also act as the primary escalation point for complex issues requiring regional or national resolution.

Decision Making

Examples Of Decisions You Will Make Include:

• Determining the most effective allocation of team resources to meet service priorities.
• Deciding on the appropriate handling and escalation of complex study issues.
• Approving site delivery plans and making judgements on performance monitoring outcomes.

This is a role for a proactive leader who can balance operational delivery with strategic influence, fostering innovation while ensuring high-quality, consistent services.

Where You Will Work

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff! The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first‑class acute care for around one million people in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital at the forefront of innovation, home to state‑of‑the‑art facilities such as the Quadram Institute. We work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for staff and placement opportunities for students. Our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity.

Benefits

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

• Flexible working hours
• Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi Faith prayer room at NNUH Colney Lane site
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream – access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH Colney Lane site
• Free 24‑hours confidential counselling support
• On‑site Nursery at NNUH Colney Lane
• On‑site cafes offering staff discounts at NNUH Colney Lane
• Support in career development
• Flexible staff bank
• Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Contact

For further details or informal visits: Name: Lynsay Bailey, Job title: Head of Partner Liaison and Planning, Email: [e-mail]