Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Research Governance Manager, with experience of working at a regional level, to join the Research and Innovation Directorate (R&I) at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM). This senior role will provide regional leadership, co-ordination, and standardisation of research governance processes across the North Midlands, directly addressing critical bottlenecks in commercial and non-commercial study set-up. This role will play a key part in supporting centres at different stages of research sponsorship development by strengthening their research governance, monitoring, auditing, and oversight frameworks. Through targeted guidance, the role will ensure consistent standards across all areas and provide the necessary support to achieve and maintain MHRA readiness. You will reduce unwarranted variation, and support delivery of the 150-day research study set-up target.

Main duties of the job

The role will be instrumental in transforming future healthcare and improving outcomes through research evidence - both for our Trust and across the region. With NIHR infrastructure funding and the opening of our Commercial Research Delivery Centre in April 2025, this is an exciting time to join the UHNM R&I Directorate as we push the boundaries of clinical research to benefit patients.

We are looking for a dynamic and passionate Research Governance Manager with extensive experience, particularly with experience of working across multiple sites/regionally.

This is your opportunity to take on a strategic leadership role within the UHNM Research and Innovation Directorate, playing a pivotal part in the delivery of a governance service, regionally, that leads to tangible improvements in patient-centred research.

If you are passionate about leading research governance, and supporting all regional organisations this is your opportunity to make a significant difference.

This is a 3 year fixed term position

About us

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

Details

Date posted

02 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year Per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

3 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

205-8287701

Job locations

Royal Stoke

Newcastle Road

Stoke on Trent

ST4 6QG

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information please see the attached job description and person specification. For further details please contact Sarah Jones-Faulkner

Job description Job responsibilities For further information please see the attached job description and person specification. For further details please contact Sarah Jones-Faulkner

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• oEducated to master's level or equivalent experience in a relevant subject area (e.g. clinical research, healthcare management and governance, public health, biomedical science, or equivalent professional field)
• oGood Clinical Practice (GCP)
• oEvidence of continuous professional development (CPD) in research governance, regulatory compliance
• oFormal management or leadership training (or equivalent demonstrable experience operating at senior strategic level within complex healthcare systems).

Desirable

• oCoaching or mentoring qualification (or evidence of structured coaching/leadership development training).

Experience

Essential

• Active or previous role in a university or NHS research management team
• Active or previous governance role in regional and/or national organisation research or innovation
• Improves communication amongst colleagues using a range of skills including influencing, advocacy, championing, and facilitation
• Promotes and models good practice consistent with legislation relating to: oGovernance oResearch oData protection

Desirable

• Challenges inferior performance of colleagues in a supportive, constructive, and effective manner

Person Specification Qualifications Essential oEducated to master's level or equivalent experience in a relevant subject area (e.g. clinical research, healthcare management and governance, public health, biomedical science, or equivalent professional field) oGood Clinical Practice (GCP) oEvidence of continuous professional development (CPD) in research governance, regulatory compliance oFormal management or leadership training (or equivalent demonstrable experience operating at senior strategic level within complex healthcare systems). Desirable oCoaching or mentoring qualification (or evidence of structured coaching/leadership development training). Experience Essential Active or previous role in a university or NHS research management team Active or previous governance role in regional and/or national organisation research or innovation Improves communication amongst colleagues using a range of skills including influencing, advocacy, championing, and facilitation Promotes and models good practice consistent with legislation relating to: oGovernance oResearch oData protection Desirable Challenges inferior performance of colleagues in a supportive, constructive, and effective manner

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Address

Royal Stoke

Newcastle Road

Stoke on Trent

ST4 6QG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.uhnm.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust

Address

Royal Stoke

Newcastle Road

Stoke on Trent

ST4 6QG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.uhnm.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)