Research and Innovation Administrator

Job overview

We are seeking a motivated and organised Research and Innovation Administrator to join our Sponsorship Governance Team within the Research & Innovation Division at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

This is an exciting opportunity to support the management of a diverse portfolio of research studies, ensuring that all sponsorship activities are processed efficiently and in accordance with regulatory and governance requirements. The role requires excellent administrative skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

You will work closely with research governance facilitators, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely processing of study documentation, contracts and approvals. An interest in research governance and clinical research processes is essential, alongside a proactive and collaborative approach.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will provide comprehensive administrative support to the Sponsorship Governance Team to ensure effective coordination and oversight of research activities.

Key duties include processing sponsorship requests, coordinating review of research agreements (e.g. collaboration agreements, confidentiality disclosure agreements and service /provider agreements), and supporting study set-up and modification processes. You will track and monitor documentation, maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with regulatory and governance standards.

You will manage shared inboxes, act as a key point of contact for queries, organise meetings and events, and provide minute-taking support where required. The role also includes supporting reporting activities, maintaining research data systems, and contributing to service improvements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Facilitate the review and processing of all research-related agreements including but not limited to collaboration agreements, confidential disclosure agreements and service-level agreements, in accordance with established procedures and research governance requirements.

• Liaise closely with reviewers/legal experts to aid timely approval and processing of such agreements.  Work in collaboration with the sponsorship governance facilitators to prioritise study contracts as directed.

• Assist with the processing of modifications for Sponsor Authorisation for Christie-sponsored projects.

• Coordinate and track the review and sign-off of Honorary Research Contracts and Letters of Access for researchers and ensure they are completed within agreed timelines.

• Support the sponsorship governance facilitators in processing new research projects in accordance with standard operating procedures.

• Assist with the production of reports to summarise activity and aid performance management across the service.

• Work in collaboration with the Sponsorship governance facilitators to create and review the project information available on the Local Portfolio Management System (LPMS) and other trust systems as applicable to ensure accuracy and completeness, performing update information exercises as required.

• Use own judgement where applicable when using facts from situations which may require further analysis.

• Ensure that the Trust has documentary evidence that projects comply with relevant regulatory and research governance requirements.

• Management of the shared inboxes ensuring distribution of communication and responding where relevant.

• Where appropriate, attend sponsorship departmental meetings management committees as required.

accommodation, attendance, and distribution of papers, and that an agenda is agreed and where appropriate coordinate with outside sources.

• Provision of minute-taking for internal and external meetings as appropriate.
• Primary point of contact for the Sponsorship governance team to provide and receive complex information regarding sponsorship activity across the Trust and externally.
• Work in collaboration with the sponsorship governance team to develop and maintain appropriate work instructions and training materials.
• Contribution to service improvement initiatives relating to areas of work including the identification of deficiencies within the service and implementation of new ways of working in collaboration with the R&I team and across the division as required.
• Contribute towards the development and implementation of Trust-wide research strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Plan workload effectively ensuring agreed objectives are met.
• Work within trust and divisional policies and procedures, working unsupervised and independently.
• Responsible for own professional/personal development, working with their line manager to develop and fulfil a personal development plan.

This job description is not meant to be finite and may be subject to change following discussion and agreement with the post holder. Similarly, the post holder may be requested to undertake such other duties not mentioned in the job description which are commensurate with the grade.