Deputy Director of Approvals

Deputy Director of Approvals sits in the Health Research Authority's Approvals Service directorate and on its Executive Committee, working alongside the Director. The post provides strategic and operational leadership for research ethics committees and the Confidentiality Advisory Group, and coordinates regulatory practice across the UK. It is a senior role offered on a home-based contract, with flexible and compressed hours, and applicants needing visa sponsorship cannot be considered.

• Provide executive leadership and set strategic direction for high-quality regulatory functions and services
• Lead strategic and operational leadership of regulatory services, including research ethics committees and the Confidentiality Advisory Group, contributing to strategic decisions and organisational performance
• Lead work to coordinate and standardise research regulation practice across the UK
• Drive service improvement, innovation and transformation across the approvals landscape
• Oversee operational performance, business planning, workforce planning, risk management and financial performance across a large directorate
• Act as deputy to the Director of Approvals, leading across the full directorate when required
• Build and maintain relationships with government departments, regulators, NHS organisations, researchers, universities, industry and other partners
• Lead major programmes and projects supporting HRA strategic objectives and the UK research environment
• Provide expert leadership on research regulation, research ethics and related policy development
• Lead and inspire a large, diverse workforce and volunteer community

• Educated to Masters level, or equivalent senior management experience, in a relevant subject

• Significant senior-level experience in health and care research management or regulation
• Leading complex change programmes across services, directorates or organisations, managing challenge and objection
• Developing strategies and business plans, managing financial performance and monitoring performance across services and policies
• Demonstrable measurable improvements in service delivery

• Significant academic or practical experience applying ethical frameworks to shared decision-making
• Advanced knowledge of the UK health and care system and the research environment
• Specialist knowledge of research and data protection legislation and national research regulation standards
• Advanced knowledge of management tools and leadership models, such as organisational change
• Strong analytical skills, interpreting legislation and policy and analysing complex or contradictory information
• Negotiating, influencing and collaborative leadership skills, communicating with audiences from senior experts to volunteers

• Able to work in the UK without sponsorship

• Commitment to personal development, seeking and acting on feedback
• Self-motivated, proactive and innovative, working independently
• Flexible and adaptable, adjusting priorities amid uncertainty

• Management qualification or leadership training
• Education to Masters level or above in health and care research ethics or regulation

• Home-based contract
• Flexible working
• Compressed hours
• Hybrid or office-based working possible for Manchester-based staff
• Support for personal development and professional growth
• Workplace wellbeing support