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- Tasks: Lead operations for a pioneering Centre focused on improving patient outcomes through translational research.
- Company: King's College London, a globally recognised university committed to positive societal change.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact in healthcare.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team driving innovation in health and research while shaping future leaders.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex programmes and strong financial oversight skills required.
- Other info: Full-time maternity cover role with excellent career growth opportunities until September 2027.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 ÂŁ per year.
About King's College London
King's College London is an internationally renowned university delivering exceptional education and world‑leading research. The university is dedicated to driving positive and sustainable change in society and realising our vision of making the world a better place. The Strategic Vision 2029 looks forward to King's College London's 200th anniversary in 2029 and sets out ambitious plans in five key areas:
- Educating the next generation of change‑makers
- Challenging ideas and driving change through research
- Giving back to society through meaningful service
- Working with our local communities in London
- Fostering global citizens with an international perspective
King’s Health Partners brings together research, education and clinical practice across the university and three NHS Foundation Trusts (King’s College London, Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust). The Centre for Translational Medicine aims to address the major health burdens for local, national and global communities – and to challenge existing health inequalities, combine our outstanding clinical and scientific expertise to deliver excellent outcomes for patients, and develop the next generation of clinical‑academic leaders, skilled in delivering impactful translational biomedical research.
About the role
The King's Health Partners (KHP) Centre for Translational Medicine (CTM) is a strategic initiative to enhance translational research capabilities across the partnership, support innovation and accelerate better, more equitable outcomes for patients and communities served by KHP and beyond. The CTM is jointly funded by King’s College London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity. The Head of Centre Operations for the KHP Centre for Translational Medicine is a maternity cover role which plays a pivotal role in driving the Centre’s mission to accelerate the translation of scientific discovery into improved patient outcomes.
Providing both operational and strategic leadership in a complex multi‑partner environment, the postholder ensures the smooth, efficient, and forward‑looking management of all day‑to‑day activities. This role works across King’s College London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and wider KHP partners to support translational research infrastructure and integration across partners. Working closely with the Centre Director, Professor Phil Newsome, the Head of Centre Operations is responsible for overseeing programme delivery, managing operational frameworks, reporting to funders and stakeholders, and enabling a coherent approach to translational research development. This includes coordinating research initiatives, supporting the set‑up and management of flagship programmes, and ensuring that emerging opportunities – particularly in personalised healthcare, experimental medicine and industry collaboration – are effectively scoped, communicated and operationalised.
A central function of the role is relationship management. The postholder acts as a key liaison between academic teams, clinical services, funders such as Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, and external research partners. By fostering seamless communication and collaboration, the postholder enables the Centre to maximise its impact and maintain alignment with strategic priorities across the partnership. The Head of Centre Operations also holds responsibility for governance, financial oversight, reporting and risk management, ensuring all projects and programmes operate to high standards of accountability and compliance. They contribute to strategic planning by identifying areas for improvement and growth, shaping long‑term operational models and supporting the evolution of the Centre as a hub for translational excellence. This role is key in establishing and maintaining operational structures and removing barriers to best support translational research and researchers across the KHP ecosystem.
This is a full‑time (35 hours per week) role and you will be offered a fixed‑term maternity cover contract until 30th September 2027.
About You
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria- Hold a minimum Level 6 qualification (or equivalent) and substantial experience leading complex, multi‑institutional programmes; ideally complemented by advanced study or professional development in research management or health systems.
- Proven track record of designing and scaling operating models, brokering institutional agreements and embedding governance frameworks to deliver shared objectives across universities and NHS partners.
- Proven financial management and analytical skills to underpin strategic financial decisions and procedures.
- Experience in monitoring and completing complex projects and demonstrating ability to deliver and problem‑solve.
- Executive‑level communication and influence skills, including negotiation, board reporting and stakeholder engagement across senior academic, clinical and professional audiences.
- Experience in leading the operations of large‑scale research bids, including with multiple internal and external partners.
- Evidence‑based decision‑making and insight generation, including interpreting complex data and presenting strategic narrative impact to diverse audiences.
- High autonomy and accountability, with ability to prioritise under ambiguity, drive for performance and improvement and flexibility in approach and attitude.
- Postgraduate qualification (Master’s or Doctorate) in a relevant field such as translational research, health systems or strategic management.
- Design and commissioning of capacity‑building portfolios, with quality assurance, outcomes evaluation and scaling across partner organisations.
- Ownership of institutional engagement strategies, including reputation management, audience segmentation, KPIs and crisis/issue response.
Equality and Diversity
At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative are great strengths of the university. The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and, in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension. We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including controversial ideas, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination. When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.
Head of Centre Operations (maternity cover) employer: Kings College, London
Contact Detail:
Kings College, London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Centre Operations (maternity cover)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to King’s College London or the NHS. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Centre for Translational Medicine. Understand their mission and how your skills can help them achieve their goals. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for their vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you on their radar. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the best choice.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Centre Operations (maternity cover)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Centre Operations role. Highlight your experience in leading complex programmes and how it aligns with our mission at King’s College London.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership style! Share examples of how you've successfully managed multi-institutional projects and fostered collaboration among diverse teams. This is key for us!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to convey your achievements and skills, making it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kings College, London
✨Know the Mission
Before your interview, dive deep into King's College London's mission and values. Understand how the Centre for Translational Medicine aims to improve patient outcomes and address health inequalities. This knowledge will help you align your answers with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in making a positive impact.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As the Head of Centre Operations, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led complex, multi-institutional programmes. Highlight your ability to manage relationships across various stakeholders, as this role requires seamless communication and collaboration.
✨Be Financially Savvy
Financial management is key for this position. Brush up on your financial oversight skills and be ready to discuss how you've made strategic financial decisions in previous roles. Bring specific examples of how you've managed budgets or resources effectively, as this will showcase your analytical skills and ability to drive performance.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think about potential challenges you might face in this role, such as managing multiple projects or navigating complex partnerships. Prepare structured responses that demonstrate your thought process and how you would approach these situations.