NIHR Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) Director

Job summaryThe RRDN Director is the senior officer responsible for the overall leadership, delivery and management of the RRDN. They oversee and drive the work of the RRDN Strategic Development, Operations and Health & Care Research Directors.The purpose of the RDN is to support the effective and efficient initiation and delivery of funded research across the health and care system in England for the benefit of patients and the public, the health and care system and the economy. The RRDN Director is accountable for enabling this regionally by providing efficient, effective and nationally consistent supporting services and activities in line with the requirements of the RRDN Host Organisation Contract with the Department of Health and Social Care, with particular emphasis on addressing the needs of the life sciences industry (across both commercial contract and commercial collaborative research).Main duties of the jobThe NIHR RRDNs have three key roles:? First, to provide support to research sites to enable the effective and efficient initiation and delivery of funded research across the health and care system in England.? Second, to enable the strategic development of new and more effective research delivery capability and capacity. This includes bringing research to under-served regions and communities with major health and care needs.? Third, to work jointly with the Coordinating Centre in the strategic oversight of the NIHR RDN. This is to ensure that the Portfolio is maintained as a cohort of high-quality, fully-funded, viable and deliverable studies. It also ensures that the NIHR RDN as a whole serves the needs of researchers and R&D teams and is responsive to the changing domestic and global environment for health and care, life sciences and health research.About usRoyal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5,000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme alongside a strong commitment to developing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family ensures you feel valued from your initial interview and throughout your time with us.We are clinically led and provide joined-up care by bridging hospital and community services, alongside delivering regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford, with community sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh, and services delivered in patients' homes across Guildford and Waverley.We work in partnership with Ashford & St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust through a collaborative Group Model, supporting joined-up services, workforce flexibility and development opportunities.The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated us as Outstanding. We are proud of our achievements and continue to invest in our people and infrastructure.To learn more about life at Royal Surrey, please watch our short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdoAdverts may close early, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.DetailsDate posted17 July 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 9Salary 115,052 to 132,053 a year pa pro rata ContractPermanentWorking pattern Full-time Reference number384-CR-EMF21013Job locationsRoyal Surrey NHS Foundation TrustEgerton RoadGuildfordGU2 7XXUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilities Overall leadership, delivery and management of the RRDN Be accountable to the Host Lead, NIHR RDN CEO and the RDN Board for; the establishment and delivery of the RRDN the operational performance of the RRDN the management and assurance of RRDN funding oversight of the development and delivery of the RRDN 3 year Strategic Implementation Plan ensuring the Host Organisation fulfils the obligations of the RRDN Host Organisation Contract ensuring the vision, values and behaviours of the RDN are embraced across the RRDN Strategic oversight, development and approval of RRDN business, financial, strategic development and impact plans, and associated reports Develop and optimise potential for high quality and sustainable health and care research within the region and nationally in alignment with RDN vision, direction and strategic aims Job description Job responsibilities Overall leadership, delivery and management of the RRDN Be accountable to the Host Lead, NIHR RDN CEO and the RDN Board for; the establishment and delivery of the RRDN the operational performance of the RRDN the management and assurance of RRDN funding oversight of the development and delivery of the RRDN 3 year Strategic Implementation Plan ensuring the Host Organisation fulfils the obligations of the RRDN Host Organisation Contract ensuring the vision, values and behaviours of the RDN are embraced across the RRDN Strategic oversight, development and approval of RRDN business, financial, strategic development and impact plans, and associated reports Develop and optimise potential for high quality and sustainable health and care research within the region and nationally in alignment with RDN vision, direction and strategic aimsPerson Specification Knowledge and Experience EssentialExperience of working in the health and care research sector, the health and social care service sector or academic environment at a senior levelProfessional research leadership, both strategic and operational at a senior levelExperience of working across complex organisational structures and effective matrix management Skills EssentialHighly developed leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills with ability to demonstrate these in highly political environmentsStrong external communications skills in a politically sensitive environment with knowledge of and experience in handling media relations Person Specification Knowledge and Experience EssentialExperience of working in the health and care research sector, the health and social care service sector or academic environment at a senior levelProfessional research leadership, both strategic and operational at a senior levelExperience of working across complex organisational structures and effective matrix management Skills EssentialHighly developed leadership, strategic thinking and planning skills with ability to demonstrate these in highly political environmentsStrong external communications skills in a politically sensitive environment with knowledge of and experience in handling media relationsDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 detailsEmployer nameRoyal Surrey NHS Foundation TrustAddressRoyal Surrey NHS Foundation TrustEgerton RoadGuildfordGU2 7XXUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameRoyal Surrey NHS Foundation TrustAddressRoyal Surrey NHS Foundation TrustEgerton RoadGuildfordGU2 7XXUnited KingdomEmployer's website