About this role
Job summary
Closing Date: 29.10.26
Shortlisting to take place w/c:commencing 30.10.26
Interview expected to take place w/c:commencing 09.11.26
We are seeking an experienced & influential Strategic Delivery Manager to provide senior strategic leadership across the NIHR Commercial Research Delivery Centre: Bradford & West Yorkshire. This is a key system leadership role, responsible for developing & delivering long-term programmes that strengthen commercial clinical research performance, capacity & sustainable growth across partner organisations.
Working across organisational boundaries & with a high degree of autonomy, you will lead strategies to improve feasibility, study set-up & participant recruitment, strengthen sponsor relationships, maximise commercial research income and support achievement of national performance expectations, including the 150-day First Participant Recruited target.
You will work with senior clinical and operational leaders, commercial sponsors, NIHR infrastructure, primary care, system partners and national stakeholders to remove barriers to research delivery and resolve complex issues. You will also help shape future delivery models, workforce and infrastructure plans, investment priorities and innovative approaches that expand access to commercial research across Bradford and West Yorkshire.
Main duties of the job
Applicants must have significant experience operating at a senior strategic level within the NHS, research delivery, R&D or a similarly complex healthcare system, together with a proven track record of leading large-scale change across organisational or system boundaries. You will need experience of improving performance against challenging delivery targets and of working successfully with senior clinicians, managers, external partners and commercial or life sciences sponsors.
You will be a highly developed strategic thinker and problem solver, able to analyse complex information, identify emerging risks and translate evidence into clear strategy and action. Exceptional communication, influencing and negotiation skills are essential, alongside the confidence to lead autonomously, manage competing priorities and represent the CRDC credibly in complex and sensitive discussions.
Applicants should have a postgraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification, or equivalent senior-level experience in healthcare management, research, public health or a related field, with evidence of ongoing professional development. An in-depth understanding of clinical research delivery pathways, NIHR structures and performance metrics, research governance and regulatory requirements, and commercial clinical trial delivery models is essential.
About us
The Bradford & West Yorkshire CRDC is focused on strengthening commercial research delivery across the region through partnership, innovation and sustained performance improvement. This role provides the opportunity to influence how commercial research is delivered across organisations, shape future investment and delivery models, and build stronger relationships with sponsors and national partners.
You will join a senior team working to increase research capacity, improve study set-up and recruitment performance, and widen access to high-quality commercial research. The post offers significant autonomy and the opportunity to contribute at local, regional and national level while helping strengthen Bradford and West Yorkshire CRDC as a trusted research delivery partner.
Our People Charter outlines the behaviours we can expect from one another and what you can expect from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust:
We value people We are one team We care We're keen to meet people who share these values and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of care to our patients.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information before applying for this role.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Significant experience working at a senior strategic level within the NHS, research delivery, R&D, or a complex healthcare system. Proven track record of leading and delivering large-scale change across organisational or system boundaries. Experience of improving performance against challenging delivery targets. Experience of working with multiple stakeholders, including senior clinicians, managers, and external partners. Experience of analysing complex information and translating it into actionable strategy. Experience of working across multiple Trusts, ICSs, or regional systems. Experience of engagement with commercial sponsors and/or life sciences partners. Experience of holding accountability for highly complex programmes with material impact on organisational performance, income, reputation or external assurance Experience of contributing to regional or national working groups, programmes, or policy development. Evidence of operating successfully at senior strategic level with accountability for organisation-wide or system-wide performance
Skills Essential
Highly developed strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Ability to influence, negotiate, and lead with autonomy. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to brief senior leaders and external stakeholders where there may be hostile or sometimes emotive atmosphere. Ability to manage complex, competing priorities in a high-pressure environment. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret performance data and identify emerging risks. Ability to work autonomously and make sound judgements in ambiguous situations.
Desirable
Experience of designing or implementing innovative recruitment or research delivery models. Ability to represent an organisation credibly at regional or national level.
Knowledge Essential
In-depth understanding of Clinical research delivery pathways. Understanding of system-level barriers to recruitment, feasibility, and study set-up. Demonstrable understanding of the commercial drivers, financial risks and reputational considerations associated with commercial clinical research delivery Understanding of commercial clinical trial delivery models. Understanding of Information Governance and Confidentiality
Desirable
Knowledge of data-driven performance management and improvement methodologies.
Qualifications Essential
Postgraduate degree qualification or equivalent professional qualification, or equivalent level of experience at a senior level in healthcare management, research, public health or a related field Evidence of ongoing professional development. Knowledge of NHS research governance, NIHR infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks (e.g. GCP, UK Policy Framework).
Desirable
Formal leadership or management training.
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 Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address NIHR Bradford & West Yorkshire CRDC, Bradford Institute for Health Research
Bradford Royal Infirmary
Bradford
BD9 6RJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)