Head of Research and Development in Wales

This post is a Secondment until 31/03/2028 due to funding. If you are a Hywel Dda University Health Board employee and are applying for this post as a secondment, agreement for the secondment is needed from your current manager prior to application.

The Head of Research and Development will be responsible for providing specialist strategic and operational leadership of the Research and Development Division to ensure the delivery of high quality research that improves patient outcomes, meets performance objectives and aligns systems, processes, and workflows within Health Board and national research priorities. The post holder will promote and develop a research culture that supports high quality and impactful research by building collaborative relationships with partner organisations, identifying synergies and acting as the main point of contact for research operational queries within the Health Board.

Main duties of the job:

• The Head of Research and Development will be accountable for the strategic leadership, management and development of the research operations across the Health Board, including governance and the oversight of the delivery performance of all research studies.
• The post holder will lead the R&D Division’s operational teams, encompassing support and delivery services for researchers, researcher development and study operations and research governance/quality assurance functions.
• Provide expert strategic, clinical and research advice to senior leaders and multidisciplinary stakeholders on research operations, Welsh Government policy, and complex legislative requirements.
• This includes offering specialist guidance and leadership to clinical and research teams providing direct clinical care within the research setting, and ensuring safe, effective patient management through robust competency frameworks and consistent standards of assessment and care.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties. We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services. We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Hywel Dda University Health Board operates a bilingual policy. All applicants are invited to apply in Welsh; any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR APPLICANTS: Applications for our roles are carefully reviewed and shortlisted based on specific criteria, which varies from job to job. Using a generic application to apply for multiple roles or relying on automated AI application services may not provide the necessary information, leading to your application being overlooked. To ensure your application is given full consideration, we recommend submitting a tailored application that directly addresses the criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the advert.

By submitting your application to NHS Jobs/Trac, you are giving your consent for elements of your application data to be transferred to the NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) and other secure, internal NHS Workforce systems in order to support and manage your recruitment and employment within your employing organisation; to be used by Recruitment for purposes of checking your Professional Registration online (where applicable). These processes are in line with Fair and Lawful processing in line with current Data Protection Legislation.

If you are successfully appointed, by completing the application form you authorise the UHB to obtain any previous NHS service details including all electronically held sickness information, via the Inter Authority Transfer process on the national Electronic Staff Record (ESR).

To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa, unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK.

If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.