Job Description

St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (gesh) is seeking an experienced and visionary Group Head of Research & Innovation (R&I) to lead the strategic development and operational delivery of clinical research across one of the London's largest healthcare groups. Based primarily at the Tooting site, but expected to work flexibility across group sites, this senior leadership role offers the opportunity to shape research governance, drive innovation, and foster partnerships with academia, industry, and regulatory bodies. The successful candidate will oversee multidisciplinary teams, manage research budgets, and ensure compliance with national standards, while cementing performance . If you're passionate about advancing healthcare through research and ready to make a transformative impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
o Strategic Leadership: Support and implement the Group's research strategy; represent mesh in external forums; build partnerships with academic and industry stakeholders. Ensure mesh wide high level research performance and KPI reporting.o Operational Oversight: Lead research operations across the Trust; co-lead the Joint Clinical Research Office; develop and monitor R&I policies and systems.o Governance & Compliance: Ensure regulatory compliance for all research activities; manage study setup, approvals, and sponsor responsibilities; maintain quality standards and SOPs.o Financial Management: Oversee research budgets; support grant applications and costings; ensure transparent financial practices across research projects.o Workforce Development: Promote training, career pathways, and inclusive engagement in research; support Principal Investigators and staff development.o HR & Leadership: Manage R&I Ops teams; lead appraisals and resource planning; act as a visible and supportive senior leader across the organisation.o Communication & Engagement: Foster strong internal and external relationships; deliver presentations; communicate complex issues clearly and professionally.
About us
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
Details
Date posted
12 December 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8b
Salary
72,921 to 83,362 a year pa pro-rata incl HCAS (inner london)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Compressed hours
Reference number
200-NN-7575746-A&C-Z
Job locations
Tooting, SW17 0RE
Blackshaw Road, Tooting
London
SW17 0RE
Job description
Job responsibilities
Operational Oversight

• Provide senior operational leadership across all R&I functions.
• Co-lead the Joint Clinical Research Office (JCRO) with City St Georges University of London.
• Develop and implement systems and policies to support high-quality research delivery.

Research Governance & Compliance

• Serve as sponsor representative for research governance across the Group.
• Ensure compliance with ICH-GCP, HRA, MHRA, and other regulatory frameworks.
• Lead the development and implementation of SOPs and assurance frameworks.
• Provide expert advice on ethics, regulatory submissions, and contracting.

Financial Management

• Act as budget manager for research funding, ensuring contractual compliance.
• Partner with finance teams to monitor and report on research income and expenditure.
• Support financial planning and reporting for research

Workforce Development & Engagement

• Drive development of research workforce, including training and career pathways.
• Promote inclusive access to research for staff and patients.
• Support researchers and teams in meeting governance and legal requirements.
• Lead staff engagement initiatives and training programmes.

HR Management

• Line manage senior R&I staff, overseeing appraisals, performance, and development.
• Act as a visible leader and role model across the organisation.

Communication & Engagement

• Establish strong communication channels within the department and across the Trust.
• Deliver presentations and reports to internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead on communicating complex or sensitive issues with clarity and professionalism.
• Foster an open and inclusive environment that encourages dialogue and collaboration.

Job description
Job responsibilities
Operational Oversight

• Provide senior operational leadership across all R&I functions.
• Co-lead the Joint Clinical Research Office (JCRO) with City St Georges University of London.
• Develop and implement systems and policies to support high-quality research delivery.

Research Governance & Compliance

• Serve as sponsor representative for research governance across the Group.
• Ensure compliance with ICH-GCP, HRA, MHRA, and other regulatory frameworks.
• Lead the development and implementation of SOPs and assurance frameworks.
• Provide expert advice on ethics, regulatory submissions, and contracting.

Financial Management

• Act as budget manager for research funding, ensuring contractual compliance.
• Partner with finance teams to monitor and report on research income and expenditure.
• Support financial planning and reporting for research

Workforce Development & Engagement

• Drive development of research workforce, including training and career pathways.
• Promote inclusive access to research for staff and patients.
• Support researchers and teams in meeting governance and legal requirements.
• Lead staff engagement initiatives and training programmes.

HR Management

• Line manage senior R&I staff, overseeing appraisals, performance, and development.
• Act as a visible leader and role model across the organisation.

Communication & Engagement

• Establish strong communication channels within the department and across the Trust.
• Deliver presentations and reports to internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead on communicating complex or sensitive issues with clarity and professionalism.
• Foster an open and inclusive environment that encourages dialogue and collaboration.

Person Specification
Education/Qualification
Essential

• degree level (BA or BSc Hons) or be able to demonstrate relevant experience commensurate with the post
• A scientific background or qualification, preferably at the post-graduate level and ideally in the Life or Clinical sciences
• ICH-GCP certification

Desirable

• Postgrad degree
• Project Management qualification
• ICH-GCP accredited facilitator/trainer

Experince and Knowledge
Essential

• Experience of working within a healthcare research environment at a management level
• Knowedlege of the national healthcare research strategy
• Experience leading the development of policies and procedures for research, including standard operating procedures
• Knowledge of clinical research regulation, legislation and standards
• Knowledge/experience of regulatory inspections
• experience of research finance and funding at a senior level
• Line management experience
• Knowledge of national research agenda

Desirable

• Experience working with/at regional and or national organisations relevant to healthcare
• Experience of developing business plan and strategies for research
• Experience of direct budget management

Skills
Essential

• able to prepare high quality written reports and presentations for senior audiences
• proven skills in leading multidisciplinary teams, managing change, and delivering large-scale research initiatives across healthcare settings.

Desirable

• Change management skills

Person Specification
Education/Qualification
Essential

• degree level (BA or BSc Hons) or be able to demonstrate relevant experience commensurate with the post
• A scientific background or qualification, preferably at the post-graduate level and ideally in the Life or Clinical sciences
• ICH-GCP certification

Desirable

• Postgrad degree
• Project Management qualification
• ICH-GCP accredited facilitator/trainer

Experince and Knowledge
Essential

• Experience of working within a healthcare research environment at a management level
• Knowedlege of the national healthcare research strategy
• Experience leading the development of policies and procedures for research, including standard operating procedures
• Knowledge of clinical research regulation, legislation and standards
• Knowledge/experience of regulatory inspections
• experience of research finance and funding at a senior level
• Line management experience
• Knowledge of national research agenda

Desirable

• Experience working with/at regional and or national organisations relevant to healthcare
• Experience of developing business plan and strategies for research
• Experience of direct budget management

Skills
Essential

• able to prepare high quality written reports and presentations for senior audiences
• proven skills in leading multidisciplinary teams, managing change, and delivering large-scale research initiatives across healthcare settings.

Desirable

• Change management skills

Skills Required