Deputy Director of Operations (CRCTU)

Job Purpose

The Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU) is one of two UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) registered clinical trials units (CTUs) at the University of Birmingham (UOB). The CRCTU was established 40 years ago and is now an integral part of the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences. It has grown to be one of the largest cancer trials units in the UK, delivering high quality clinical research across a broad portfolio of disease types and treatment modalities in all phases of clinical trials. The CRCTU is an important component of the recently awarded Birmingham CRUK Cancer Centre and closely collaborates with Birmingham’s CRUK/NCRI Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre and Birmingham’s Stratified Cancer Medicine Initiative. The CRCTU comprises a highly qualified and knowledgeable team of over 170 members of staff including biostatisticians, clinical academics, trial managers, programmers, research nurses and quality management, information technology, administration and finance staff who together form the professional infrastructure that is essential to the delivery of scientifically excellent and regulatory robust clinical trials. Alongside excellent trials portfolios in a wide range of adult solid tumours, CRCTU has established internationally recognised National programmes for children’s cancer and leukaemia trials and for adult haemato-oncology. CRCTU has strong collaborative links with local, national and international investigators in the design and conduct of trials, with particularly emphasis on international collaboration for the paediatric portfolio and for rare diseases using innovative and world-leading expertise in trials methodology to enable important clinical questions to be addressed in challenging situations.
This new post has arisen due to the rapid expansion in the scope, size and complexity of the CRCTU’s clinical trials portfolio. The trials Unit is increasing its international scope; in Europe and globally as well as extending its trials portfolio beyond cancer. In close partnership with the Birmingham Health Partners’ Institute of Translational Medicine, the CRCTU has increased its capacity for early phase trials, in non-cancer specialties through the establishment of trials teams for drugs devices, diagnostics and biomarkers (D3B) trials. Productive collaborations have been established with Birmingham’s National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (NIHR SRMRC) and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and the recently established Kennedy Trust funded arthritis-therapy acceleration programme.

This new post will support the CRCTU Director and will support and deputise for the CRCTU Director of Operations in ensuring the effective provision of strategic and operational support to the Unit. The post holder will lead and develop teams of trial management staff responsible for the administration of clinical trial research projects across a range of disease conditions. The portfolio includes trials of medicinal products and other therapeutic interventions, including surgery and radiotherapy and evaluation of devices and recruit patients nationally and internationally.

Person Specification

• Graduate (higher degree preferred) in a relevant biomedical or associated subject Substantial experience in conducting, design and leading the management of clinical trials.
• Ability to develop and lead a large team of staff from a broad range of professional backgrounds.
• Experience of being accountable to a number of stakeholder partners.
• Track record of leading or participating in successful applications for major grants from third party bodies.
• Significant resource and budgetary management experience related to the delivery of clinical trials.
• Excellent knowledge of clinical trials regulations and standard operating procedures, including experience of process improvement.
• Experience of establishing new structures and procedures based on networks of influence and persuasion in a clinical/academic environment.
• Substantial experience of project management in the trials arena.
• Handling confidential information and communications in a sensitive, effective manner and displaying professional discretion.
• Recognised experience, training and expertise in clinical trials research.
• Excellent team management skills and substantial experience of performance management.
• Demonstrable experience of, or potential for, enterprise and engagement.
• Awareness of Higher Education issues and the possible implications for the Unit and the Institute.
• Knowledge of the governance, development and research opportunities in clinical trials. Ability to act within these parameters.
• Effective communication, negotiation, presentation and inter-personal skills.
• Must demonstrate a critical and intelligent attention to detail and high standards of accuracy.
• Capability and willingness to undertake senior management responsibilities.
• Ability to represent CRCTU and University to external audiences.
• Involvement in and commitment to continuing professional development of yourself and those you manage, including identifying appropriate staff development opportunities.
• A willingness to contribute to teaching programmes.
• Ability to travel easily in the Birmingham area, nationally, and potentially internationally on occasion.