Research Director / Director CRDC (Primary Care) (Combined Role)

Job summary

An exciting opportunity to shape the future of primary care research

We are looking for an ambitious and experienced Research Director / Director, CRDC (Primary Care) to join our PCN and lead our primary care research team.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who understands primary care and commercial research and is excited by the opportunity to make a real difference to how research is delivered in primary care settings.

You will have responsibility for developing a high-quality commercially sustainable research portfolio, building strong relationships with NIHR, RRDN, CRDC Network, Commercial Sponsors and CROs, and ensuring that our team delivers against its contractual objectives and performance targets.

You will be commercially minded, strategically focused, and passionate about research.

You will enjoy building relationships, spotting opportunities and turning ideas into successful funding bids, collaborations and programmes of work.

Main duties of the job

The Research Director / Director, CRDC (Primary Care) is a combined role and will provide strategic and operational leadership for the organisations' research department and the CRDC (Primary Care).

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to grow Pier Health PCN Research/CRDC (Primary Care) and ensure long-term financial sustainability.
• Deliver contract requirements, commercial agreements, KPIs and agreed objectives.
• Develop a successful research portfolio across commercial and academic studies.
• Build strong partnerships with CRDC networks, RRDN, NHS trusts, PCNs, GP practices, sponsors, CROs, universities and other stakeholders.
• Identify new commercial research opportunities and partnerships.
• Oversee research quality, governance, performance and financial management.
• Monitor performance, manage risks and ensure delivery against targets.
• Lead, develop and motivate the research team.
• Support regional research strategy, workforce development and growth in primary care research capacity.
• Prepare funding bids, annual reports and impact reports.
• Provide monthly updates to the Pier Health Group Board and Finance Director.
• Line management, workforce development and team performance.

About us

Our primary care research department offers a dynamic, collaborative and supportive environment, bringing together a multi-professional research team of over 15 staff, including six research-active GPs and specialist research practitioners with up to 16 years of academic and commercial trial experience.

We pride ourselves on our strong work ethic, flexibility and commitment to delivering high-quality research, underpinned by a proven track record of successful recruitment, rescue-site delivery and long-standing commercial partnerships. Working across a diverse population of 100,000 registered patients, with access to an extended research network covering approximately 1.2 million people, our team has exciting opportunities to contribute to impactful research and improve patient outcomes. Our strong partnerships with local NHS trusts, hospitals and universities further enhance opportunities for collaboration, learning and professional development.

We support our staff through flexible working practices, seven-day access to research facilities, adaptable participant appointments, and access to community and secondary care diagnostics and local laboratory support. Together, we foster a culture of teamwork, innovation and continuous development, where staff can make a meaningful difference while growing their skills and experience within a high-performing research organisation.

Details

• Date posted: 14 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 8b
• Salary: £70,000 to £77,368 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part-time
• Reference number: A3302-26-0003
• Job locations: Pier Health Group PCN, 168 Parklands Medical Centre, Anson Road, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS24 7PR, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership to grow Pier Health PCN Research/CRDC (Primary Care), ensuring financial sustainability, high-quality research delivery and achievement of contractual targets and KPIs.

Develop a successful commercial and academic research portfolio, build strong strategic partnerships, and identify new opportunities for growth across primary care.

Lead and develop the research team, oversee performance, governance and financial management, contribute to regional research strategy, and provide funding bids, annual reports and regular updates to the Board and Finance Director.

Essential Experience and Competencies

The following are mandatory requirements for shortlisting:

Primary Care Experience

• Substantial experience working within primary care/general practice.
• Strong understanding of the primary care environment and the challenges of delivering research within it.
• Experience of Primary Care Networks (PCN)s and collaborative working across organisational boundaries.
• Understanding of PCN structures, governance, priorities and operational challenges
• Experience of writing bids for funding and implementing successful bids through to project completion.
• Proven experience of budget responsibility and contracts

Commercial Research Experience

• Significant experience of commercial research study delivery, ideally within primary care/NHS.
• Experience working with pharmaceutical, biotech, CRO or other commercial research organisations.
• Understanding of all stages of commercial research delivery, including feasibility, contracts, budgets, recruitment and study delivery.

Other Essential Competencies

• Senior leadership and people management experience in multi-professional teams.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering against contracts, KPIs and performance objectives.
• Strong commercial and business development skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Strong understanding of research governance and quality requirements.
• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering measurable outcomes.

Desirable Experience and Competencies

• Previous Senior PCN / research leadership experience.
• Experience of leading a CRDC or equivalent primary care research infrastructure.
• Experience of delivering NHS/commissioner/Sponsor contracts.
• Experience of working across multiple PCNs/practices.
• Established relationships with pharmaceutical, biotech or CRO organisations.
• Experience of developing or scaling a commercial research function.
• Knowledge of NIHR/NHS research infrastructure.