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Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and innovative individual to join our R&D Governance team, leading the development of intelligent automation and AI-enabled solutions to support cutting-edge clinical research. This is a senior, Trust-wide role focused on transforming how research is set up and delivered - helping to reduce duplication, improve efficiency, and accelerate timelines so patients can benefit from new treatments sooner.
Ideally, you will bring strong experience in leading complex improvement programmes, with expertise in automation, digital transformation or data-driven change within a healthcare, research or similar environment. You will have excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.
You will be joining a vibrant and forward-thinking team at the forefront of research innovation, with hybrid working available. This is a new and strategically important role, offering the opportunity to shape how automation and digital tools are embedded across research governance processes at scale.
Main duties of the job
You will lead a portfolio of intelligent automation projects across R&D, working closely with governance, finance, legal, and digital teams to deliver practical, scalable solutions.
This includes:
- Designing and implementing AI-enabled workflows to streamline research set-up and reduce manual processes
- Leading the development of automation tools across feasibility, approvals, costings, and contracts
- Working collaboratively with partner Trusts to develop reusable, nationally transferable solutions
- Providing expert leadership, training and support to staff adopting new technologies
- Developing dashboards and reporting systems to demonstrate improvements in performance and efficiency
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed term contract. For secondments you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.
The advert will close at midnight on 22nd July 2026.
Interviews are due to be held in the week commencing 27th July 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only café, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person specification
Skills
Essential
- Ability to translate service problems into automation opportunities with clear acceptance criteria and benefits
- Proven Leadership skills at a senior level including in the management of change
- Proven ability in managing operational change while developing and maintaining high standards of quality
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex information and to make judgments regarding complex research / management issues
- Ability to coordinate others to deliver outputs
- Able to develop and implement strong documentation – SOPs, policy, guidelines, training and projects from initiation to completion
- Proven ability to deal with changing priorities and differing situations, being able to build consensus and drive adoption
- Proven organisational skills and ability to plan ahead, set priorities and work to deadlines
- Ability to build and maintain relationships and networks relevant to the work remit with excellent written and verbal communication for non technical audiences
- Demonstrable commitment to improving service efficiency transformation, staff experience and research delivery through responsible innovation
- Ability to work under pressure balancing conflicting workloads
- Ability to work independently with initiative and maintain confidentiality
Desirable
- Ability to negotiate effectively, be persuasive and maintain integrity in sometimes contentious or challenging situations
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstratable knowledge of automation design, system patterns systems integration, data governance, security controls, access management and solution assurance
- Principles of prompt engineering and agent orchestration; appreciation of grounding data, hallucination mitigation, and human in the loop controls
- Demonstrable high level of understanding and working practice of the processes, regulations and codes of practice (ethics / GCP / MHRA), that underpin clinical research delivery
- Knowledge of NHS Information Governance, data protection, and digital clinical safety basics in research contexts
- Strong understanding of CUH Research and Development Finance Infrastructure
- Knowledge of CUH finance platforms used for clinical research billing and invoicing
Desirable
- Basics of SQL / Excel Power Query / Python for data transformation; APIs / exports for low code integrations
Experience
Essential
- Experience of delivering automation or AI assisted workflows in complex organisations, with measurable operational impact
- Experience of using Microsoft Co-pilot / 365 environment, Power Automate / Apps, SharePoint, Outlook / Teams
- Demonstrable success in delivering change and implementing performance improvement
- Experience of putting into practice strategy and associated plans for a specific programme of change
- Excellent communication skills, including negotiation, with proven ability to liaise and lead change within a multidisciplinary team environment
- Experience of building relationships with internal and external stakeholders in a strategic manner
- Experience of research delivery within a complex and dynamic research infrastructure
- Experience of problem solving
- Experience of working across boundaries
Desirable
- Experience within a scientific, healthcare or clinical research regulated environment
- Experience working with research governance processes and support departments (capacity / feasibility, contracts, pharmacy, imaging)
- Familiarity with Cobblestone or similar CLM, and finance data / reporting (Oracle Fusion / Edge Financials)
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field (informatics, digital health, engineering, computer science, data / automation)
- Experience in leading and managing improvement projects in NHS research or social care setting
- Evidence of continuing professional development in automation / AI (e.g. Microsoft 365 Copilot, Power Platform, data integration, prompt / agent design)
Desirable
- Postgraduate degree or experience
- Project management qualification or experience
- Microsoft certifications (Power Platform, Azure, Security / Compliance), Lean / Six Sigma, PRINCE2 / Agile
- Good Clinical Practice
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
- - Inclusive leadership, willingness to work together with partner sites and flexibility to meet programme deadlines
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Intelligent Automation Programme Manager with Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Cambridge, East of England, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £57,528 - £64,750 p.a. pro rata. The contract type is 15 months (Fixed Term / Secondment). The application deadline is 22 Jul 2026.
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