NIHR RDN Workforce & Organisational Development Director

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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.

As part of the RDN national leadership team, this high-profile national role will provide visible, dynamic and effective senior leadership, direction and oversight for workforce and organisational development of the RDN.

You will shape and lead the development and delivery of inclusion, workforce and organisational development across the RDN. You will lead the development of a highly-skilled professional workforce and a culture of continuous improvement, shared learning, best practice and inclusivity across the RDN. 

You will be responsible for embedding inclusion throughout RDN culture and practice, for driving innovation, continuous improvement, shared learning and best practice, and for providing an RDN workforce with excellence in knowledge, skills and professional practice. This role requires knowledge and skills in both strategic thinking and planning, and in the effective operational implementation of workforce and organisational development. 

You will work alongside the other Directors as a high performing team to lead 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 Directorate team through the period of transformation and beyond. 

The RDN is a multifaceted, diverse and ambitious organisation, so you will be able to provide credible leadership across organisational boundaries and be comfortable working out with conventional management hierarchies. Working with health and care organisations, staff and professional groups, you will have presence and will be able to demonstrate inspirational leadership and influence in a host of settings. With the ability to think strategically and grasp complex policy and political issues, you will have a strong understanding of health and care research delivery policy and practice, and of the opportunities and challenges in maximising health and care research for the benefit of patients and the public.

This national role requires substantial national travel and may require some international travel.

Applications for this role should be made online (more guidance can be found on our ‘How to Apply’ information page) and submitted by 23.59 (UK time) on the advertised closing date. 

Your application should include:

• A statement addressing each of the essential requirements for the role in turn. Please make sure to address both each of the ‘essential requirements for all director roles’ and each of the 'additional essential requirements for this role'. You should evidence how you believe your existing knowledge, skills and experience equips you to carry out the role;
• Your curriculum vitae giving full details of qualifications and experience.

What we offer in return

• 26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – that’s 42 days a year!
• Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salary
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team, and self-development courses including languages, Creative Writing, Wellbeing Therapies and much more.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

Location:  Leeds - Main Campus
Faculty/Service:  Faculty of Medicine & Health
School/Institute:  National Institute of Health and Care Research
Section:  Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre
Category:  Professional & Managerial
Grade:  Grade 10
Salary:  Competitive salary
Post Type:  Full Time
Contract Type:  Ongoing
Release Date:  Thursday 08 February 2024
Closing Date:  Monday 18 March 2024
Interview Date:  To be confirmed
Reference:  MHNCC1550
Downloads:  Candidate Brief