Study Support Service Senior Manager

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 29 January 2026

The Study Support Service Senior Manager will have overall responsibility for leading the local operational aspects of the North West Regional RDN (RRDN) Study Support Service, which is seamlessly integrated within the collective national Study Support Service, which serves as the cornerstone of the NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN), facilitating the effective delivery of studies throughout the system while enhancing strategic capacity and capability.

This role will have overall responsibility for ensuring local services within the Study Support Service are delivered to a high quality and consistently in line with nationally defined standards and operating processes. These encompass pre‑approval services such as Planning and Placement Service/national cost and attribution tools, as well as post‑approval services including portfolio oversight and on‑request services. The role will also serve as a primary escalation point to identify issues necessitating regional or national resolution and attention.

The role will work in collaboration with Regional Specialty and Settings Leads, ensuring seamless coordination and alignment with broader strategic objectives.

The role will provide operational management of the Study Support Service, and line management of a team of Study Support Service Managers.

• Strategic Leadership
• Business Planning
• Information & Administration
• Operational Management
• Service Improvement & Development
• Performance Management
• Ensuring patients, carers and the public inform and influence the delivery of the RDN strategy
• Communication & Stakeholder Management
• Corporate Governance

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe – what better place to shape and develop your leadership career. We deliver care to over 1 million patients & users each year through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. Our 30,000‑plus strong workforce is central to our success and innovation.

You will play a pivotal part in supporting our operational excellence and strategic ambitions. You'll work collaboratively with clinical and non‑clinical teams, driving improvements that enhance patient experience, staff well‑being, and service efficiency across the Trust.

MFT offers a dynamic, inclusive environment where your leadership, ideas, and expertise are valued. You'll have access to professional development, digital tools and opportunities to contribute to transformational projects that shape the future of healthcare delivery. We are committed to supporting your growth and wellbeing, recognising the vital role you play in our organisation's success.

Join us and help shape the future of our Trust – make a real difference to our teams, our services, and our communities, and fundamentally, our patients.

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. So that you’re even more equipped to make an informed decision to apply to us, you’ll need to take time to read the Candidate Essentials Guide that sits with the Job Description and Person Specification.

This document provides you with details about the Trust, our benefits and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. Most importantly, it also contains critical information you’ll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

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As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the…