Health Innovation Lab Operations Manager, Band 7

Job summary

The Health Innovation Lab at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a pioneering initiative designed to foster the generation, adoption, and translation of innovative ideas. Our aim is to enhance patient care, streamline hospital operations, and prepare for future developments in the healthcare sector. The post holder will act as the Health Innovation Lab operations manager supporting development of the Lab and managing complex healthcare innovation projects linking collaborators with clinical teams, managerial and research staff to ensure the successful planning and conduct of locally sponsored R&I projects associated with the Health Innovation Lab.

This role will have a key focus on managing, supporting and increasing Health Innovation Lab activity by working closely with existing and new research investigators and research teams to take forward innovations generated locally and via key collaborators.

A key aspect of this role will be to support companies to access expertise within the NHS to support product development programmes. The post holder will help to shape a range of innovation support services for businesses that can be offered through the HIL programme a key component of this will also involve development of an Innovation Accelerator framework and programme.

The post holder will have an understanding Intellectual Property relating to innovation and research.

Main duties of the job

As Operations Manager, your main duties will include:

- Managing the development of the Health Innovation Lab as well as managing memberships

- Securing new external research income and supporting the development of funding applications to enable innovations to be developed and tested.

- Delivery of the Health Innovation Lab financial target.

- Proactively managing the development of high-quality innovation and research proposals, providing hands-on support for applicants

- Organising Health Innovation Lab events.

- Updating Health Innovation Lab challenge statements.

- Liaising with the Health Innovation Lab executive panel.

- Working in partnership with stakeholders, including academics and research groups, and seeking new partnerships, including potential industrial partners, to identify opportunities for collaborative research and commercialisation.

- Liaising with partners across the NHS and nationally and internationally, to negotiate contractual matters and identify solutions to problems.

- Ensure that the Trust IP policies are enforced and that members of the HIL are aware of its implications.

- Contributing to the compilation, drafting and submitting of progress reports to the R&I Heads of Service Meeting and R&I Governance Oversight Group and other relevant parties

- Work collaboratively ensuring there is excellent stakeholder engagement with all appropriate stakeholder groups.

- Identify clear project deliverables and track progress towards these.

About us

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest employer in the county and with over 8,000 staff, we are one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK. We offer a generous annual leave allowance, excellent bank rates, access to the excellent NHS Pension Scheme, discounts for local shops, restaurants and services, access to our health and well-being hub, access to our two on-site nurseries, flexible working options, discounted public transport, reward and recognition schemes, exercise and activity classes and membership to our popular hospital choir.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilities

As Operations Manager, your main duties will include:

- Managing the development of the Health Innovation Lab as well as managing memberships.

- Securing new external research income and supporting the development of funding applications to enable innovations to be developed and tested.

- Delivery of the Health Innovation Lab financial target.

- Proactively managing the development of high-quality innovation and research proposals, providing hands-on support for applicants.

- Organising Health Innovation Lab events.

- Updating Health Innovation Lab challenge statements.

- Liaising with the Health Innovation Lab executive panel.

- Facilitating meetings and workshops to promote the GHFT Health Innovation Lab.

- Working in partnership with stakeholders, including academics and research groups, and seeking new partnerships, including potential industrial partners, to identify opportunities for collaborative research and commercialisation.

- Liaising with partners across the NHS and nationally and internationally, to negotiate contractual matters and identify solutions to problems.

- Ensure that the Trust IP policies are enforced and that members of the HIL are aware of its implications.

- Contributing to the compilation, drafting and submitting of progress reports to the R&I Heads of Service Meeting and R&I Governance Oversight Group and other relevant parties

- Supporting the development of training materials related to innovation for client staff and delivering these as part of a training programme or as required.

- Traveling to conferences in the UK and Overseas with prior discussion and appropriate notice.

- Ensure there is project rigour and quality delivery of the project using established project management tools and process.

- Establish and manage a defined range of project activity, generating high quality project documentation.

- Work closely with the Head of Innovation to ensure there is robust governance in place with clear and auditable decision making.

- Establish and manage a robust approach to risks and issue management.

- Work collaboratively ensuring there is excellent stakeholder engagement with all appropriate stakeholder groups.

- Identify clear project deliverables and track progress towards these.

- Establish and deliver quality reporting that meets stakeholder needs.

-Lead on communications in relation to the project.

- Work autonomously to drive forward and manage milestones and key deliverables.

- Develop and manage a clear project plan, monitoring slippage and escalating where appropriate.

- Whilst there is no line management responsibility for this role, there will be a requirement to manage a matrix team of stakeholders in the project.

These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post.

Communication and interpersonal skills

- Integrate with a wide variety of teams in the set up and delivery of Trust sponsored/led research studies.

- Demonstrate excellent communication skills in management and delivery of Trust sponsored/led research ensuring relevant parties are fully informed.

- Work closely with the Head of Innovation & Commercial Development to manage and develop the Health Innovation Lab and develop successful innovations and collaborations.

- Develop effective channels of communication and working relationships to build and establish credibility with researchers, research teams, supporting services, clinical services and the R&D community, other local acute Trusts, HEIs, Networks and Life Sciences partners.

- Communicates with internal staff and external agencies to ensure compliance with performance targets and strategic objectives relating to Trust sponsored/led research.

- Present complex information to staff groups.

- Ensure information relating to research funding opportunities are communicated in a timely manner and support funding applications.

- Create an environment which allows open communication at all levels amongst all staff.

Analytical / Judgemental Skills

- Interprets information across a range of options in the development of planning and reports.

- Analyses performance of sponsored and Trust led innovation activity ensuring performance targets and strategic objectives are achieved.

- Makes operational judgements managing conflicting views and reconciles inter and intra professional differences of opinion.

- Assess and advise on innovation risks and reports.

- The postholder will be required to ensure compliance with the Trusts corporate governance requirements.

- The postholder will lead on developing the approach to risk and issue management associated with the Health Innovation Lab and will actively use a Risk Register and risk assessment along with due diligence to document, highlight and manage risks, taking action to negate or minimise risk where it is within the scope of the role

- The postholder will be required to use their judgement to determine the viability of the project plan and to ensure the plan is closely monitored and reported against.

Planning & Organisational Skills

- As project manager excellent planning and organisational skills are required, to plan, implement and manage projects relating to the GHFT Health Innovation Lab.

- Support the implementation of improvement programmes, in accordance with priorities.

Physical, Mental & Emotional Effort & Working Conditions

- Keyboard skills and use of IT equipment.

- Travel between sites and possible national travel.

-This role requires light physical effort for short periods.

- Frequent concentration; work pattern unpredictable. Concentration required for investigating problems, analysis of performance data and policies, interruptions requiring immediate response.

- Occasional/ frequent distressing or emotional circumstances Imparting unwelcome news where performance targets not met.

- Exposure to unpleasant conditions is rare.

- Office conditions.

Patient / Client Care

- Ensure projects and innovations are supported to incorporate appropriate EDI

- Link collaborators with clinical teams to ensure quality Patient and Public involvement and engagement in the design and delivery of their research.

Policy / Service Development

- Contribute to maintaining R&I policies relating to the Health Innovation Lab and innovation, developing associated Standard Operating Procedures

- Ensure systems and processes are in place to support compliance with corporate policies.

- Maintain up to date knowledge of research related guidelines and legislation and develop policies to ensure compliance pertaining to sponsored and Trust led research.

- Receive and interpret EU and UK legislation and guidance concerning research governance in the local context.

Financial / Physical Resources

- Managing the Health Innovation Lab pipeline and ensuring projects are financially feasible.

- To deliver the Health Innovation Lab financial target.

- Contribute to the completion of financial returns to and to the Trusts internal groups and committees.

Information Resources

- Utilise the Trust web based Local Portfolio Management System EDGE in the management and delivery of sponsored and Trust led research

- Use EDGE and the NIHR Open Data Platform to develop reports, inform business planning and contribute to service improvement where relevant for sponsored activity

- Use data systems to report exceptions and risks to the Governance and Oversight group and ensure mitigating action is taken.

The following are core values which relate specifically to this post:

Strategic Influencing

- Uses a range of influencing strategies to bring about change and secure new business.

- Builds and uses extended networks of influence, inside the Trust, across the NHS and social care and in NIHR.

Intellectual Flexibility

- Clarifies key points from diverse information.

- Presents complex data clearly to non-specialist audiences.

- Encourages and supports others in being innovative, finding ways of improving Trust and information services.

- Brings fresh perspectives to a wide range of issues by applying analytical thinking.

**See attached job description for full duties.

Person Specification

Additional Requirements

Essential

The post holder must demonstrate a positive commitment to uphold diversity and equality policies approved by the Trust Ability to travel to other locations as required.

Personal Attributes

Essential

Tenacity, demonstrates high levels of self-belief, drive, enthusiasm and stamina to achieve goals and see things through. Ability to motivate, inspire and provide innovative solutions Excellent judgement. Ability to achieve consistently good results in an inclusive and collaborative manner Ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment. Ability to work under pressure to demanding timetables. Understands the need to delivery short-term priorities and achieve long-term goals (sense of balance). Displays innovative and lateral thinking Prepared to work totally flexibly High degree of self-awareness Ability to maintain confidence, at all times Intellectual flexibility that enables the reasoned assessment of a situation and the ability to draw pragmatic conclusions. Ability to 'broad scan' to keep abreast of developments in the Health & Research Sector Ability to deal with confidential issues in a professional and sensitive manner

Communication Skills

Essential

Evidence of a good standard of literacy / English language skills. Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing. Ability to present highly complex information at a senior level. A good listener with demonstrable level 4 and 5 listening skills.

Knowledge/ Skills

Essential

Project management skills with excellent organisational and interpersonal skills with ability to gain and maintain credibility with senior researchers and research teams across academic, NHS and external partners. Understanding Intellectual Property relating to innovation and research. Highly effective presentation skills and the ability to present well-reasoned and structured arguments orally and in writing and well-developed analytical skills Knowledge of Clinical or Research and Corporate Governance Frameworks, legislation and best practice and knowledge and understanding of Research or Clinical and Corporate governance and risk management systems and processes. Proficiency in the use of ICT applications to support efficient work activity, including the analysis, interpretation and presentation of complex data with the ability to manage priorities in order to meet specific deadlines.

Experience

Essential

Experience of leading successful innovation projects and Experience of capturing and ensuring benefits of projects are realised. Experience of working with senior clinical professionals and researchers and experience of working with international partners to deliver innovation projects. Experience of developing effective and productive working relationships within and beyond the organisation Understanding of clinical trials, national policy and regulatory research environment with particular reference to sponsored research. Experience of delivering multiple projects with tight deadlines and key milestones and securing funding for innovation projects.

Qualifications

Essential

Degree in related subject or equivalent professional qualification Project management qualification Evidence of continued professional development

---