Commercial Research Lead

Job overview

This post is a part-time (28 hours per week) 1-year fixed-term.

We are seeking a highly motivated and strategically minded individual to join the Research & Innovation team as a Commercial Research Lead (Band 7) at Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

This is a pivotal role responsible for strengthening the Trust’s commercial research portfolio by developing a sustainable pipeline of industry-sponsored studies, improving study set-up performance in line with national benchmarks (e.g. 150-day set-up target), and enhancing engagement with clinical teams, industry partners and NIHR infrastructure.

The postholder will work across organisational boundaries to identify and progress new commercial research opportunities, support efficient study delivery, and contribute to income generation and long-term sustainability of research activity within the Trust. This role would suit someone with an entrepreneurial outlook.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will lead the development and management of the Trust's commercial research portfolio by establishing a sustainable pipeline of industry-sponsored studies and strengthening engagement with clinicians, research teams, NIHR infrastructure and commercial partners. This includes proactively identifying new opportunities, coordinating Expression of Interests (EOIs) and feasibility assessments, and positioning the Trust to maximise success in securing commercial research studies.

The role will also drive improvements in study set-up performance in line with national benchmarks, including the 150-day target, and support efficient delivery of commercial research activity. The post-holder will monitor performance against key indicators, undertake analysis of issues, and implement corrective actions, while supporting the delivery of the annual income plan.

In addition, they will develop systems and processes to support high-quality research delivery and act as a key point of contact for stakeholders, promoting the Trust's research capability and supporting long-term growth and sustainability.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The postholder will:

• Lead the development and management of a sustainable commercial research pipeline through proactive engagement with industry, NIHR infrastructure and internal stakeholders
• Develop and maintain a structured intelligence system to systematically map andanalyse existing clinician-industry networks, informing partnership development andpipeline growth.
• Develop a strategic pipeline management plan to ensure long-term sustainability ofcommercial research activity and delivery of the annual income plan
• Coordinate and submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs), undertaking rapid feasibility assessments and ensuring high-quality, competitive submissions
• Support feasibility, site selection and set-up planning for new commercial research studies
• Drive improvements in study set-up performance to meet national benchmarks, including the 150-day timeline
• Monitor performance against key indicators, undertake root cause analysis of issues, and implement corrective actions
• Develop systems to capture and analyse pipeline activity, performance data and commercial opportunities
• Provide expert advice on commercial costing frameworks (e.g. NCVR, iCT) and support appropriate cost recovery approaches
• Contribute to forecasting commercial research income and aligning pipeline activity to financial plans
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clinicians, research teams, sponsors, CROs and regional partners
• Act as a senior point of contact for commercial partners and represent the Trust in external forums