About this role
Job summary
The Head of Training and Research will be responsible for coordinating training, workforce development and research activity across West London through the Federation and Primary Care Networks (PCNs).
The role works closely with practices, PCNs, NWL Training Hub, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) and academic partners so that training and research activity is practical, accessible and linked to workforce and service needs.
The postholder will turn agreed training and research priorities into practical delivery, support practices to participate, make best use of available funding, and ensure activity is supported by proportionate governance, reporting and quality assurance.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will lead delivery of Training & Research Hub programmes across West London, coordinating workforce development, education, training and research activity.
They will support practices and PCNs to identify workforce needs, develop learning and placement opportunities, embed new and emerging roles, and translate workforce plans into practical service delivery.
The role will coordinate research opportunities from study identification and feasibility through to practice onboarding and delivery, supporting practices throughout the research lifecycle and helping to build research capability and participation.
The postholder will manage Training & Research Hub budgets, funding and research income, monitor activity and performance, and ensure programme, governance and reporting requirements are met.
They will work with partners to identify opportunities, address delivery risks and make effective use of workforce, training and research resources.
About us
The LMA West London GP Federation (the Federation) is an organisation representing and supporting general practice across the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster (QPP). It comprises five Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and 39 GP practices, serving a registered patient population of approximately 300,000. The Federation works collaboratively with partners across the Integrated Care Board (ICB), local authorities, NHS providers, and the voluntary and community sector to deliver integrated, neighbourhood-based care. Its purpose is to strengthen primary care, improve population health, and support thriving general practice through innovation, inclusion, and transformation.
Job description Job responsibilities
Strategic Development & System Working
Maintains oversight of Training Hub and Research Hub activity across West London and supports delivery against agreed local priorities.
Coordinates annual planning and delivery activity for the Training & Research Hub.
Oversees training and research programmes across West London, ensuring activity reflects local priorities and workforce needs.
Works with practices, PCNs, NWL Training Hub, NIHR, RRDN and partner organisations to support joined-up delivery.
Maintains awareness of local, regional and national developments relevant to workforce development, education and research.
Provides operational insight to local and system discussions on workforce development, education and research.
Workforce Development, Education & Training
Ensures workforce development, education and training activity responds to the needs of practices, PCNs and the wider primary care workforce.
Coordinates workforce development, education and training programmes across West London.
Supports local workforce priorities through education, training and professional development initiatives.
Works with practices, PCNs and training providers to identify workforce development requirements and opportunities.
Supports the development and coordination of clinical placements, educational initiatives and learning opportunities.
Supports the introduction and practical implementation of new and emerging roles within primary care.
Promotes primary care as a learning environment and employment destination.
Supports recruitment and retention initiatives through workforce development activity.
Maximises the effective use of training funding, placement tariffs and workforce development resources.
Research Delivery & Practice Engagement
Supports practical research delivery across West London practices, enabling participation in local and national programmes while minimising burden on practices and patients.
Coordinates research activity across West London practices and PCNs.
Acts as the main operational link between practices, NIHR, RRDN, academic institutions, research sponsors and other delivery partners.
Supports agreed research priorities through study mobilisation, practice engagement and delivery planning.
Maintains a live pipeline of research opportunities and supports practices to identify relevant studies.
Coordinates study set-up activity, including expressions of interest, feasibility assessments, practice onboarding and delivery planning.
Supports practices throughout the research lifecycle, reducing administrative burden where possible and helping participation fit alongside routine service delivery.
Oversees the preparation and maintenance of study-related governance documentation and associated delivery processes.
Works with practices to identify and address barriers to participation and supports the development of research-active practices across West London.
Monitors study activity, recruitment performance, participation levels and associated income, escalating issues and risks where appropriate.
Produces regular reports on research activity, outcomes and performance for internal and external stakeholders.
Promotes research opportunities through established practice networks and communication channels, supporting increased awareness and participation.
Research Governance, Reporting & Quality
Ensures training and research activity is supported by proportionate governance, clear reporting and quality assurance arrangements.
Oversees governance requirements associated with training and research programmes.
Coordinates the preparation and maintenance of documentation required to support research delivery, including information governance and study-specific requirements.
Maintains accurate records of programme activity, outcomes, funding and performance.
Produces regular reports for internal governance groups, external partners and funding bodies.
Identifies operational risks and supports implementation of mitigating actions.
Supports compliance with contractual, funding and reporting requirements associated with training and research programmes.
Promotes continuous improvement through programme evaluation, feedback and shared learning.
Financial Management & Performance
Oversees Training Hub and Research Hub resources so that funding and programme activity are managed clearly and transparently.
Manages the Training & Research Hub budget and related reporting.
Monitors expenditure, income and funding allocations across training and research programmes.
Produces financial, activity and performance reports for the Training & Research Committee and LMA Board.
Ensures funded programmes meet reporting requirements and agreed deliverables.
Supports identification of funding opportunities relevant to Training Hub and Research Hub activity.
Maintains oversight of research income and training funding streams, ensuring accurate reporting and reconciliation where required.
Workforce & Delivery Integration
Supports alignment between workforce capacity, service specifications and delivery requirements so that services are practical to implement across PCNs.
Supports PCNs to develop multi-disciplinary workforce plans which translate into deliverable service models, working through the practical implications of rota design, capacity, skill-mix and deployment across practices or at-scale.
Ensures workforce assumptions are tested against the service specification and delivery requirements, rather than remaining at a high-level planning stage.
Identifies workforce capacity gaps and delivery risks early, and works with PCNs to develop realistic and deliverable options to address these.
Works with the NWL Training Hub and other workforce partners to align training, supervision and development activity with current delivery pressures and future service requirements.
Supports more consistent and effective use of workforce across PCNs, reducing variation in delivery and improving overall service performance and income realisation.
Stakeholder Management
Acts as a key operational interface between practices and partner organisations, maintaining trusted relationships that support delivery.
Builds and maintains effective working relationships with practices, PCNs, NWL Training Hub, NIHR, RRDN, academic institutions and other partners.
Maintains effective relationships with clinical and operational leads across member practices.
Ensures stakeholders receive clear information on training and research opportunities, requirements and delivery arrangements.
Represents the Training & Research Hub within agreed meetings, working groups and delivery forums.
Key Outcomes / Accountabilities
Effective delivery of Training Hub and Research Hub programmes across West London.
Increased participation in training, education and research activity.
Improved practice engagement with research opportunities.
Delivery of agreed funding, reporting and performance requirements.
Strong relationships with practices, PCNs, NWL Training Hub, NIHR, RRDN and partner organisations.
Robust governance, reporting and operational processes supporting programme delivery.
Effective management of Training Hub and Research Hub budgets and resources.
Increased research awareness, participation and capability across member practices.
Delivery of workforce development programmes that support local and organisational priorities.
Person Specification
Skills and Attributes Essential
Strong programme leadership and organisational skills. Ability to coordinate multiple programmes and workstreams simultaneously. Strong understanding of primary care workforce development and research delivery. Understanding of information governance and its application within training and research programmes. Strong analytical and reporting skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries and influence without direct authority. Ability to translate priorities, opportunities and requirements into practical delivery. Strong attention to detail and governance requirements. Pragmatic, resilient and delivery-focused. Professional, credible and confident when working with senior stakeholders. Committed to supporting high-quality primary care through workforce development, education and research.
Experience Essential
Significant experience leading programmes or projects within primary care, workforce development, education or research. Experience of working with GP practices, Primary Care Networks and wider healthcare partners. Experience coordinating research delivery activity, including practice engagement, study mobilisation and performance monitoring. Experience managing budgets, contracts or externally funded programmes. Experience producing performance, activity and financial reports. Experience developing effective relationships with senior clinical and operational stakeholders. Experience leading and managing staff. Experience supporting organisational change, service improvement or programme delivery across multiple stakeholders.
Desirable
Experience working with NIHR, RRDN or academic research partners. Experience supporting research governance, study set-up or information governance processes. Experience working within a Training Hub or workforce development environment. Experience managing externally funded programmes. Experience coordinating multi-site programmes or projects. Understanding of education funding, placement tariffs and workforce planning processes.
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 West London GP Federation
Address St Charles Hospital
London
W10 6DZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://westlondongpfederation.com/ (Opens in a new tab)