Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDN) Director

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

1. Overall leadership, delivery and management of the RRDN
2. Be accountable to the Host Lead, NIHR RDN CEO and the RDN Board for;
   1. the establishment and delivery of the RRDN
   2. the operational performance of the RRDN
   3. the management and assurance of RRDN funding
   4. oversight of the development and delivery of the RRDN 3 year Strategic Implementation Plan
   5. ensuring the Host Organisation fulfils the obligations of the RRDN Host Organisation Contract
   6. ensuring the vision, values and behaviours of the RDN are embraced across the RRDN
3. Be a member of the national RDN Board and acting as senior leader and ambassador for RDN, contributing to the ongoing development of the vision, direction and strategic aims for the RDN at national level and translating this into deliverable priorities regionally
4. Develop, lead and deliver significant national programmes of work on behalf of the RDN Board
5. Be accountable for devising and leading a 3-year RRDN Strategic Implementation Plan, which will require the interpretation of the national RDN strategy. The RRDN Strategic Implementation Plan should be developed in conjunction with regional partners, including other NIHR entities, NHSE regional offices, ICSs, AHSNs, patients and the public
6. Be a visible leader and actively promote a culture of staff development and wellbeing
7. Actively promote equality of opportunity, inclusivity and diversity in the RDN, for research participation and RDN staff
8. Engage effectively with NHS organisations to maximise reach, impact and delivery of the RDN and its initiatives
9. Enable collaborative relationships through effective network leadership, acting as a role model for others
10. Work with partners across the RRDN region and nationally to progress improvements and transformation activities ensuring the RDN can realise the opportunities which come from working across the wider health and social care system
11. Be accountable for the development and delivery of strategies for increasing research capacity and capability inside and outside of the NHS, working with NHSE regional offices, ICSs, AHSNs, patients and the public
12. Actively contribute to national NIHR community engagement initiatives to increase access to health and care research for under-served groups and lead regional strategies to deliver this across the RRDN region
13. Be responsible for supporting the development of national RDN policies and strategies as a RDN Board member and being accountable for interpreting those national RDN strategies and policies, and any prevailing national guidance in order to establish RRDN goals and standards
14. Ensure structures, processes and systems are in place to enable relevant quality standards and RRDN contract requirements are met

BUSINESS PLANNING

1. Strategic oversight, development and approval of RRDN business, financial, strategic development and impact plans, and associated reports
2. 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
3. Ensure all business planning, implementation and reporting requirements are met in line with the RRDN Host Organisation Contract
4. Ensure effective mechanisms and services are in place for the continued support of the RDN Portfolio, with particular emphasis on addressing the needs of the life sciences industry

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

1. Overall accountability for the delivery and management of the RRDN with oversight of all aspects of the RRDN’s daily business
2. Line management of the RRDN Strategic Development Director, RRDN Operations Director and RRDN Health & Care Research Directors and have ultimate accountability for all departments and roles in the RRDN Staff structure
3. Ensure that the RRDN is managed in line with the requirements of the RRDN Host Organisation Contract
4. Ensure that the RRDN provides effective, high quality and nationally consistent services
5. Ensure that relevant national strategies, policies and frameworks are fully implemented and associated targets met
6. Ensure that the required IT systems for the RRDN are in place and are technologically linked where required, in the most appropriate manner to the national RDN systems

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1. Be a visible leader and actively promoting a culture of staff development, collaboration, positive staff experience, wellbeing and inclusion, and embedding patient, carer and public involvement within the RRDN at all appropriate levels of decision making
2. Be an ambassador for RDN and actively modelling and championing RDN values
3. As part of the RRDN Senior Leadership Team, advance the development of a highly professional and expert team to ensure effective delivery through appraisal, personal development planning, coaching and mentoring
4. Develop effective working relationships with NHSE regional offices, ICSs, AHSNs, LETBs and other local stakeholders and partners
5. Ensure professional supervisory arrangements are in place for the RRDN Staff (the RRDN Core Team, RRDN Agile Research Support Team, and RRDN Specialty and Settings Leads)
6. Promote a learning organisation that uses the knowledge and skills of all members to improve performance and generate helpful and shared outputs
7. Contribute to the ongoing development of the vision and direction for the RDN and translate into deliverable priorities for the RRDN

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

1. Provide strong leadership, engaging with the regional research community to support and enable the efficient set up and delivery of RDN Portfolio research, with particular emphasis on addressing the needs of the life sciences industry
2. Ensure the establishment and oversight of effective systems and processes for robust performance management to ensure the RRDN Host Organisation Contract is adhered to
3. Analysis of complex and often conflicting data to identify strategic priorities and business plan activities
4. Identify service delivery issues or areas of underperformance, which can be highly contentious, emotive and hostile, communicate these to regional stakeholders and RDNCC (where appropriate) and take the necessary action to resolve, using appropriate risk management approaches and escalations
5. Undertake analysis of research site delivery plans and performance, and the associated impact on regional RRDN and national RDN research support and strategic development and provide expert input, where other expert opinions may differ, to resolve performance issues
6. Have responsibility for the performance monitoring information systems and associated processes used by the RRDN

LIFE SCIENCES INDUSTRY

1. Establish mutually beneficial relationships with life sciences industry partners in collaboration with RDNCC to maximise the opportunities available for the benefit of our population
2. Champion the RDNs capacity and capability to support Life Sciences Industry research and the contribution of the Life Sciences Industry to the NHS
3. Drive forward the RDN strategies to support the needs of Life Sciences Industry research regionally and nationally
4. Ensure that RRDN services provided to the Life Sciences Industry are provided consistently, within the required timeframes and to a high-quality standard and in line with identified national RDN requirements

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Be accountable for the effective financial management of all RRDN funding (£35m per annum per RRDN on average)
2. Ensure that effective financial procedures and arrangements are in place and that these are in line with the RRDN Host Organisation’s financial regulations, RDNCC guidance and the RRDN Host Organisation Contract
3. Implement the RDN funding distribution model for all relevant RRDN stakeholders
4. Ensure value for money and strive for continuous efficiencies in use of funding

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

1. Utilise performance and other available data including benchmarking to identify and drive forward improvements in service delivery and performance
2. Introduce service improvement approaches, such as ‘Lean’, or as directed by RDNCC, to streamline operational delivery systems and processes in order to optimise efficiency, delivery and value for money.
3. Ensure robust mechanisms for continuous operational and business improvement processes are in place, supporting the delivery of transformational change across the RDN
4. Take responsibility for the implementation of all relevant RDN and RRDN policies and procedures

NHS AND NON-NHS ENGAGEMENT

1. Develop and foster effective relationships and collaborations with stakeholders such as, but not limited to, ICS/ICBs, HEIs, charities, other NIHR infrastructure, NHSE/I, AHSNs, to enhance and promote research and development across the health and care economy
2. Ensure engagement and commitment from regional NHS organisations / providers of NHS services, other parts of NIHR and key external stakeholders as appropriate to enable implementation of RDN strategies
3. Lead on supporting local authorities and stakeholders with relatively small research portfolios to further grow their research capacity and to use their knowledge and expertise to enable better outcomes for their citizens
4. Work across the health and care specialties to identify and develop further opportunities to embed research into the NHS, non-NHS and wider health and care environment

ENSURING PATIENT, CARER AND PUBLIC IMPACT ON DELIVERY OF RDN STRATEGY

1. Act as a champion for patients, carers and the public, ensuring that their interests are meaningfully incorporated into the development and delivery of the RDN and RRDN
2. Ensure all patient, carer and public involvement and engagement activities of the RRDN are of the highest professional standard
3. Embed patient, carer and public involvement within the RRDN at all appropriate levels of decision making

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

1. Ensuring all required governance forums are established and maintained (including RRDN Partnership Board and RRDN Management Group) as required by the RRDN Host Organisation contract