At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research governance to ensure compliance and support high-quality research at King's College London.
- Company: King's College London, a leading institution focused on research and innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid working model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a diverse community committed to equality and academic freedom.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in research governance and contribute to groundbreaking projects.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree or PhD, expert knowledge of UK research governance, and management experience.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
About us
Research and innovation are at the heart of King's College London's mission to make a positive difference in the world. The Research Management & Innovation Directorate (RMID) shapes and enables the university's research and innovation agenda, ensuring an environment in which researchers, professional staff and doctoral students can excel. This work is guided by King's Strategy 2030, which emphasises academic excellence, real‑world impact, and a culture where research and innovation can truly thrive. The Department of Research Governance, Ethics and Integrity (RGEI) safeguards the quality and credibility of King's research. It ensures that all research conducted across the university is safe, ethical, lawful and carried out to the highest standards of integrity and rigour. Teams develop policies, systems, guidance, training and initiatives that support researchers in navigating ethical and regulatory requirements, enabling high‑quality research with confidence while feeling supported and valued.
About the role
The Research Governance Manager leads the Research Governance Office (RGO) at King's, providing operational research governance leadership to ensure all research sponsored by King's College London is conducted in accordance with University policy, the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research and all relevant legal and regulatory requirements. The post holder contributes to the effective and efficient support of research and innovation through the delivery, promotion, and robust management of research governance processes across the College. They lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of a broad range of institutional and local policies, procedures and guidance to support high‑quality, compliant research activity. The role requires expert knowledge of research governance requirements across the evolving regulatory landscape, including guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA), Health Research Authority (HRA) and NHS R&D. The holder provides expert advice to researchers on HRA and university governance processes, data protection legislation, NHS ethics requirements, and related regulatory pathways, and leads the development of internal systems and processes to support these functions, including specialist data governance guidance. The role supports effective Sponsor oversight across the KCL research portfolio and works closely with colleagues across King's and King's Health Partners (KHP). The recent establishment of the KCL Clinical Research Hub and King's transition to a sole‑sponsorship model for clinical IRAS research have led to the expansion of the Research Governance Office. The post holder will play a key role in supporting clinical research governance through this transition and will report to the Clinical Sponsor and Quality Lead. Line management of the RGO team is provided by the post holder. The team sits in the Research Ethics, Governance & Integrity Department (RGEI) within the Research Management & Innovation Directorate (RMID). King's adopts a hybrid working model. When on campus, the role holder will be based at the Lavington Street Building, part of the King's Waterloo Campus, with a minimum on‑site presence of one day per week. This is a full‑time post (35 hours per week) with an indefinite contract.
About you
To be successful in this role, candidates should have the following skills and experience:
- Essential criteria
- Professionally qualified with a relevant degree or postgraduate/PhD and broad management experience in similar or related roles, or substantial vocational and relevant management experience demonstrating management ability in an appropriate professional or specialist area, supported by evidence of significant appropriate specialist knowledge.
- Expert knowledge of UK research governance requirements, including the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research, HRA processes, MHRA requirements, NHS R&D governance and associated legislation including UK GDPR.
- Experience leading research governance support and Sponsor oversight activities across a research‑intensive diverse portfolio, including CTIMPs/ATIMPs, device trials, clinical studies and non‑clinical research.
- Experience developing, implementing and maintaining proportionate research governance policies, risk assessments, SOPs and operational processes to ensure regulatory Sponsor compliance.
- Experience of research monitoring, audit preparation or quality assurance activities, including maintaining accurate governance records.
- Ability to provide authoritative advice to researchers and senior stakeholders on governance, ethics, sponsorship and regulatory pathways.
- Experience working independently, showing initiative and making informed high‑level decisions.
- Proven line management and team leadership experience, including supporting staff development, managing workload and ensuring high‑quality service delivery.
- Desirable criteria
- Experience leading operational change in a complex research or regulatory environment.
- Experience conducting audits and/or safety monitoring activities at a Sponsor level, including contributing to corrective and preventative actions.
- Experience supporting governance and Sponsor oversight measures for overseas research.
- Experience applying data governance requirements in a research context, including advising on DPIAs, secure data environments and/or related GDPR compliance processes.
- Working knowledge of UK funding body guidance and application processes, including costings for research and development activities and/or experience with research contracts.
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 2010 protects the rights of our staff and provides a framework to fulfil duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, and victimisation and to advance equality of opportunity. We are committed to free speech and academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including controversial ones, can be discussed and debated. We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV and supporting statement detailing how they meet the essential criteria.
Senior Research Governance Lead - Compliance & Oversight employer: King’s College London
King's College London is an exceptional employer, fostering a vibrant work culture that prioritises research excellence and innovation. With a commitment to employee growth, the university offers robust training and development opportunities, ensuring staff feel valued and supported in their roles. Located at the dynamic Waterloo Campus, employees benefit from a hybrid working model, promoting a healthy work-life balance while contributing to impactful research that makes a real difference in society.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Governance Lead - Compliance & Oversight
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Know their mission and values inside out, so you can show how you fit right in with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it aligns with the role. Keep it concise but impactful – you want to leave them wanting to know more about you.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the position. Plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Governance Lead - Compliance & Oversight
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior Research Governance Lead. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially your knowledge of UK research governance requirements.
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement:Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to explain how you meet the essential criteria and share specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your expertise in research governance.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves line management and team leadership, be sure to highlight your experience in managing teams and supporting staff development. We want to see how you've led others to success in similar roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at King's College London.
How to prepare for a job interview at King’s College London
✨Know Your Governance Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on UK research governance requirements, especially the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research. Familiarise yourself with HRA processes, MHRA requirements, and NHS R&D governance. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also passionate about maintaining high standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Research Governance Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your line management and team leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've supported staff development and managed workloads in previous roles. This will help interviewers see your capability in leading a team effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex research environments. Think of specific situations where you've had to implement governance policies or conduct audits. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly and effectively.
✨Emphasise Your Communication Skills
You'll be providing authoritative advice to researchers and senior stakeholders, so it's crucial to highlight your communication skills. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully conveyed complex information in an understandable way, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding governance and compliance.
