Strategic Research Development Manager

16 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

KINGS COLLEGE LONDON

Research Field

Engineering

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
Leading Researcher (R4)
Established Researcher (R3)

Country

United Kingdom

Application Deadline

14 Apr 2024 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Job description

The Comprehensive Cancer Centre at King’s College London is the academic arm of one of the leading cancer centres in Europe bringing together world-class clinical services delivered by our NHS partners, with research and education for the benefit of cancer patients in South East London and beyond.  

Research at the CCC has a strong and broad base of funding, including strategic investments such as the King’s  partnership in the Cancer Research UK City of London Centre (CRUK CoL), CRUK RadNet, the KHP Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre (ECMC) and Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, alongside major research programmes delivered in partnership with colleagues in the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine (e.g. School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences) and beyond. 

In this senior role reporting to the Head of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre (CCC), you will be responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership to ensure the effective delivery of our existing strategic funding awards, including leading the King’s research and training operations of the CRUK CoL Centre and working with key CoL partners at UCL, Barts and The Francis Crick Institute as part of the CoL Centre executive. Working with colleagues in the Health Research Development team, you will also identify collaborative multidisciplinary research opportunities with a particular emphasis on driving the translational pathway, including by supporting the development of grant proposals from concept to drafting and submission.  

This is a role with significant scope, suitable for someone with substantial experience in research development, or research programme management and the desire to make a difference. To thrive in this role you’ll bring a strong grounding in a field of research relevant to cancer, with deep understanding and experience of how health research funding works, complemented by experience in a translational research environment. You will be solution focussed, with an organised and adaptable approach and be able to quickly understand complex concepts. You will have the gravitas to represent King’s in interactions with the CoL Centre partners and key funders. And you will bring the motivation and personal qualities to engage effectively with senior academic staff and professional service colleagues to understand their goals and challenges and help address them. In return we offer an unbeatable collaborative working environment to develop your career, embedded in one of King’s leading research centres, with strong links to our University-wide research development capability.  

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract until 30 June 2027.

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent.

  Key responsibilities

Leadership and Planning

• Lead the process for the planning, delivering and reporting on strategic and operational objectives and budgets for King’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre (CCC) and CRUK CoL Centre, aligning these with King’s Vision 2029 and the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine’s Research strategy.
• Work with PIs to encourage applications to appropriate funding streams. Maintain awareness of, and distribute, forthcoming funder calls in areas relevant to CCC PIs.
• Work in partnership with King’s Health Research Development team to provide guidance, advice and support to CCC’s PIs on major applications to grant funders, such as Cancer Research UK, the MRC, EPSRC etc, ensuring the development of grant applications which are robust and maximise the likelihood of success.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of funded research awards, outputs and impact by establishing effective systems for monitoring progress against the King’s CoL Centre and other CCC and EMC strategic objectives and plans.
• Provide overarching management and strategic advice, ensure the integration and coordination of cancer research activities across CCC, and through the King’s CRUK CoL Centre and its partner organisations. Oversee implementation of the cancer preclinical strategy through the CRUK CoL Centre interfacing with clinical delivery via the ECMC.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, creating ongoing relationships, which are an integral and important part of the role. Collaborate with relevant academic, clinical and professional services colleagues to ensure the research priorities of the CCC are met.
• Build contacts and networks with senior colleagues in funding organisations to be aware of and influence the shape of translational cancer funding schemes and their operation.
• Develop strategies and activities to promote the CCC’s key strengths and capabilities, making them more visible and attractive to industry. Identify potential industrial research partners and opportunities for the development of new relationships and lead negotiations where appropriate. Manage relationships between CCC and the Research Management and Innovation Directorate to facilitate Innovation and Commercialisation opportunities including spinout companies. Manage current and future relationships with industry, particularly around translational research associated with large pharma trials, including applications for joined funding to third parties (e.g. Innovate UK).

Professional Services Leadership

• Be accountable for delivering high quality Professional Services support for King’s CRUK CoL and CCC, by efficiently managing operations within the Centres/Units, and liaising closely with colleagues from CCC, the School and Faculty and central Professional Services teams to ensure effective processes and procedures.
• Manage King’s CRUK CoL resources and oversee the efficient conduct of all financial operations within the Centre and alert the Head of CCC and the School Manager of trends and issues which may affect the King’s CRUK CoL’s position, seeking where possible to leverage resource by working across CCC and the Faculty.
• Sponsor and support career and organisational development initiatives that strengthen the skills and capability of staff, such as the Faculty Professional Services Mentoring scheme, and working with colleagues (the School Manager) to develop activities that respond to local challenges.
• Ensure the King’s CRUK CoL Centres within the School are compliant with university and external regulations, guidance and policies.
• Create an ethos of collaboration and collegiality, establishing effective communications and relationships, and encouraging staff to work in partnership with academic and Professional Services colleagues across the School and university, to join professional networks and working groups, and to make a wider contribution to the School, Faculty and university.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

  Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

Graduate degree or equivalent experience in a subject relevant to cancer

Significant relevant experience of working in an academic research or research funding environment, including extensive experience in translational science and preferably in oncology

Demonstrable experience of developing, implementing and monitoring strategic plans, business plans and budgets, with proven impact

Proven financial management and analytical skills to underpin strategic financial decisions and procedure

Deep understanding of the cancer research funding landscape and experience of supporting the research development pipeline from concept development to application, through funder review processes, including outstanding grant application drafting and editing skills

Proven excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills

Ability to manage and deliver to deadlines and within resources

Ability to collaborate constructively with internal and external partners to create conditions for successful partnership working

Experience of managing complex projects, including setting budgets, timescales and deadlines and monitoring and report on progress.

High level of work organisation, self-motivation, drive for performance and improvement, and flexibility in approach and attitude, with the ability to work independently, under pressure and meet deadlines.

Desirable criteria

PhD or equivalent research experience in a subject relevant to health sciences

Experience in initiating and leading external partnership development and maximising relations with relevant parties and services

  Further Information

Interview will be held in early May, with expectation for the successful candidate to start in early July.

Requirements
Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KINGS COLLEGE LONDON

Country

United Kingdom

City

London (Central)

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/listing/367496/strategic-research-…

Contact

City

London (Central)

STATUS: EXPIRED