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


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£70,000 to £77,368 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Weston-super-Mare, BS24 7PR
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	14 Oct 2026
Closing date:	30 Oct 2026

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Summary

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.

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