The Research Business Development Manager will be key to providing local expertise, knowledge and business intelligence to support the development and growth of clinical research activity across the Trust. This will include timely and accurate data analysis and reporting against key performance indicators. The post holder will be responsible for managing and monitoring the clinical research feasibility service by disseminating study feasibility requests from external stakeholders, identifying investigators and research groups with specific research interests to take on studies and ensuring expressions of interest are completed and submitted in a timely manner. The post holder will also monitor the recruitment to studies and support in trouble shooting challenges to ensure maximum potential to meet the recruitment target and successfully deliver on the Trust’s commitment. The post holder will assist the Research & Development Manager to deliver on the commercial research strategy, identifying areas for growth and improvement and provide administrative support to the Research & Development Manager and Research Operations Manager where required.
Key duties include:
Leading the operational management of the commercial research feasibility process across the organisation.
Working closely with NIHR, life sciences industry partners, and external sponsors to coordinate expressions of interest and study start-up activity.
Identifying research opportunities through horizon scanning and promoting Blackpool Teaching Hospitals as a high-performing research site.
Supporting investigators and research teams in assessing study requirements, including non-disclosure agreements and feasibility questionnaires.
Monitoring recruitment performance and helping address delivery challenges to ensure research targets are met.
Developing and maintaining internal systems to track research capacity, performance metrics, and site selection outcomes.
Building and maintaining strong working relationships with commercial sponsors, contract research organisations (CROs), and internal support departments.
Supporting the implementation and reporting of the Trust’s commercial research strategy, including growth opportunities.
Supervising administrative support staff involved in the set-up and coordination of CRDC research activity.
Supporting research-related financial management, including accurate invoicing and effective use of commercial income.
Contributing to the development of operational policies and procedures to support the efficient delivery of the research business function.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, with services covering the local authority areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The Trust is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) supporting a population of around 1.6 million people.
We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year. We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries.
We welcome and encourage application from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS.
The CRDC Research Business Development Manager will support the development and delivery of the Trust’s commercial research strategy, leading on the coordination of the study feasibility process and supporting the Trust's designation as a Clinical Research and Delivery Centre (CRDC). The post holder will provide expert knowledge of the research environment, supporting investigators, industry partners, and research delivery teams to maximise site engagement and commercial study performance.
Key responsibilities include:
Managing and facilitating the clinical research feasibility process across the organisation.
Working with NIHR, life sciences industry partners, and contract research organisations (CROs) to coordinate study feasibility assessments and expressions of interest.
Identifying new research opportunities through horizon scanning and maintaining strong engagement with commercial sponsors.
Supporting the development and implementation of the commercial research strategy and reporting progress against key performance indicators (KPIs).
Maintaining accurate records and developing performance tracking systems for feasibility activity, capacity, recruitment delivery and site selection outcomes.
Liaising with investigators and departments to assess study capacity, capabilities, and challenges to delivery.
Providing oversight of study-related documentation, including non-disclosure agreements and feasibility questionnaires.
Offering troubleshooting support for studies facing recruitment or operational challenges.
Supervising administrative staff contributing to CRDC feasibility activity and research set-up.
Supporting the costing and financial oversight of commercial studies in collaboration with the JRMO finance team.
Representing the Research & Development Manager in external and internal meetings where appropriate.
Contributing to Trust-wide research performance monitoring and strategic growth through system-wide working across the Lancashire and South Cumbria region.
This is a pivotal role for an experienced research professional with excellent organisational, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, and an in-depth understanding of the UK clinical research landscape.
