Job summary

We are seeking an experienced and influential leader to join the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Oxford Health and the NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC) as our Governance and Contracting Lead. Working with senior leaders across the NHS, academia, industry, regulatory organisations and government-funded research programmes, you will identify and address barriers to research delivery, improve governance and contracting processes, and contribute to the development of national policy and best practice. This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious and experienced professional to shape governance and contracting arrangements across a major national collaboration and contribute to the transformation of mental health research in the UK and internationally. Please note this role is subject to evaluation and banding may change.

Main duties of the job

You will provide strategic leadership across a complex national research partnership, with oversight of governance and contractual risk. Key areas of focus will include collaborative research agreements, access to research data and biobanking materials, data sharing, trusted research environments, artificial intelligence and emerging digital technologies.

You will bring significant expertise in research governance, contracting or a related field, together with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and develop effective solutions across organisational boundaries. You will be a strategic and collaborative leader who can navigate complex regulatory and contractual environments while maintaining a clear focus on enabling high-quality research.

You will work closely with senior stakeholders across the NHS, academia, industry, regulatory bodies and government-funded research programmes to support high-quality, collaborative mental health research.

About us

Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.

As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"

Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"

We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:

o Opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team

Details

Date posted

08 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year (subject to banding review) per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

15 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

267-CS8278290

Job locations

Warneford hospital

Oxford

OX3 7JS

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Job description Job responsibilities We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the supporting statement element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Higher degree, or equivalent qualification, in a biomedical or related discipline

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience of the development of good relationships across a range of key stakeholders
• Proven experience of working at strategic level with academic research collaborations, commercial partners, and/or research funders
• Proven experience of working at strategic level with academic research collaborations, commercial partners, and/or research funders

Knowledge

Essential

• In depth understanding and experience of research study and clinical trials set up and management within the NHS
• Good understanding of the regulatory systems within the UK. In depth understanding of research governance

Person Specification Qualifications Essential Higher degree, or equivalent qualification, in a biomedical or related discipline Experience Essential Significant experience of the development of good relationships across a range of key stakeholders Proven experience of working at strategic level with academic research collaborations, commercial partners, and/or research funders Proven experience of working at strategic level with academic research collaborations, commercial partners, and/or research funders Knowledge Essential In depth understanding and experience of research study and clinical trials set up and management within the NHS Good understanding of the regulatory systems within the UK. In depth understanding of research governance

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 details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Warneford hospital

Oxford

OX3 7JS

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Address

Warneford hospital

Oxford

OX3 7JS

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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