Diagnostic Archive Research Tissue Bank Operations Manager

We are looking for an enthusiastic, self‑motivated Operations Manager to lead our new Diagnostic Archive Research Tissue Bank (DA RTB). The successful applicant will have experience within a Biobank or Histopathology lab environment and be confident in all aspects of sample management. Experience of oversight of HTA compliant facilities and equipment is essential. Excellent interpersonal, motivational and communication skills are required for this role. The post will be based in Chelsea.

Main duties of the job:

• Operationally manage the DA RTB within Royal Marsden NHS Foundation.
• Ensure the seamless delivery of the areas of work, with oversight and management of members of staff within the department.
• Provide leadership, drive, and innovative solutions to maintain governance support in the department and promote access to human tissue for research.
• Work directly with senior management to aid the DA RTB to design, develop and deliver the long‑term strategy to enhance governance and actively seek collaborations.
• Ensure the collection of human samples is undertaken in accordance with the Human Tissue Act (HTA), and proactively support staff to progress their responsibility within the DA RTB.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• Overseeing the access to diagnostic archive material for research.
• Overseeing the accuracy and quality assurance of the data held within the DA RTB, and on the STIMs system and the EPIC system, to ensure consistency and compliance is met when recording and tracking each patient sample through the tissue bank or the Trust’s large clinical trial portfolio, as is deemed appropriate.
• The development of guidelines and standard operating procedures within the DA RTB, as well as other relevant documentation to facilitate the most efficient transition from clinical teams to the DA RTB team as appropriate.

Person specification:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, with ongoing development.
• Understanding of Human Tissue Act and research ethics.
• Experience of working in a pathology diagnostic service.

Experience:

• Experience of working in one or more of the areas of research tissue banking, or pathology lab.
• Able to write/review SOPs and documents.
• Able to perform advanced training.
• Ability to manage senior laboratory staff on a daily basis and oversight of all laboratory practices.
• Able to work to deadlines.
• Proven ability to organise team’s work plans, schedules & deadlines.
• Ability to perform and analyse simple audits.
• Ability to take specific responsibilities in an area of defined specialist knowledge.
• Able to deal with advanced troubleshooting in specialist area.
• Previous experience of pathology techniques.

Skills Abilities/knowledge:

• Evidence of effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to express themselves clearly to communicate information.
• Good telephone manner.
• Ability to use in‑house IT systems.
• Ability to use Microsoft software or equivalent.
• Good judgement, analytical, perceptive with eye for detail.
• Good understanding of organisational & logistical issues.

Other Requirements:

• Evidence of continuing personal and professional development.
• Enthusiasm for job and profession.
• Self‑confident, contributes to meetings.
• Able to work unsupervised and to supervise others.
• Commitment to team working.
• Leads by example.
• Motivates staff / team.
• Flexible approach to work, can deal with unexpected situations.
• Decision maker.
• Demonstrates proactive approach to problem solving.
• Ability to manage section stock.
• Ability to develop costing models.
• Understanding of relationship between laboratory investigations and clinical practice.
• Punctual.
• Remain calm under pressure.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.