INTERIM POST FOR 6 MONTHS

Reports to: Network Operations Director

Indicative staff complement: 

Overview of the Role

The University of Leeds has been chosen by the UK government to lead the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Delivery Network Coordinating Centre, and will be joined by 12 new Regional Delivery Networks, hosted by NHS organisations across the country to form the NIHR Research Delivery Network. The new NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) will operate as one unified organisation across England, balancing regional context, expertise and leadership with national coordination and strategy involving government policymakers. The RDN Coordinating Centre (RDNCC) will work across England’s health and care system, with staff in all settings, to support the effective and efficient initiation and delivery of research.

This role will be responsible for leading the delivery of the strategy, operational planning and setting the overall standards and direction for the Finance and Contracts function. You will identify future issues or opportunities that may require the service to be adapted, ensuring this is done in a responsive and timely way and will ensure that skills and capabilities exist within the Finance and Contracts function to meet current and future business needs.  

You will work as a member of a high-performing senior team to lead the delivery of the organisation-wide shift in ways of working and culture that is required to ensure the network functions as a single organisation with a shared purpose and vision across England, as well as leading your own teams through the period of transformation and beyond. 

The RDN is a multifaceted, diverse and ambitious organisation. Working with health and care organisations, staff and professional groups, you will have presence and will be able to demonstrate credible leadership and influence in a host of settings. You will be a proven leader with a record of delivery and will have specialist expertise, knowledge and professional credibility in the area of financial management / accounting, contracts and procurement.

This role requires some national travel.