Clinical Research Facility Manager

Job summary

Permanent | Full-time

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Clinical Research Facility (CRF) Manager to lead the Research Delivery team at Sheffield Children\’s. You will help deliver a range of clinical research studies from first-in-human Phase 1 trials to observational registry studies across multiple specialties. You\’ll ensure high-quality care for young participants and help shape the future of paediatric healthcare through the latest research.

About you

You are a Registered Nurse (ideally RSCN/RN Child) with significant post-registration experience and a background in clinical research. You bring leadership skills and a passion for developing teams, ensuring excellence in both research delivery and patient care. Your collaborative approach enables smooth coordination with internal departments, clinical teams, and external partners.

Main duties of the job

Reporting into the Lead Nurse (Research & Innovation), your responsibilities will include:

• Lead the daily operations of the Clinical Research Facility and Research Delivery team
• Oversee the full lifecycle of clinical trials from set-up to close-out
• Collaborate with partners including Trial Sponsors and CROs
• Ensure standards of care for children and young people participating in research
• Support the professional development of the Research Delivery team

About us

At Sheffield Children\’s, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are Outstanding Patient Care, Brilliant Place to Work, and Leaders in Children\’s Health. We work with partners across local, regional, and national levels to deliver physical and mental healthcare in both acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are nationally and internationally recognised for their expertise.

We\’re proud that 73% of colleagues would recommend Sheffield Children\’s as a place to work, placing us among the top five NHS trusts in England and the top-ranked trust in the North East and Yorkshire in the latest NHS Staff Survey. Our nearly 4,000 colleagues bring our CARE values — Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence — to life every day, creating a kind, welcoming environment where patients and families feel safe and supported.

As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we\’re excited to keep building our leadership in children\’s health, improve experiences for patients and staff, and focus on our communities and population health. We also offer excellent benefits to support your wellbeing, with generous annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing programmes, and exclusive discounts helping you thrive at work and beyond.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.

Please note that Sheffield Children\’s uplift pay to meet the Real Living Wage, which is £12.60 per hour.

Diversity Statement

At Sheffield Children\’s, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyone\’s success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.

Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, we\’re building a workplace where everyone belongs.

#LI-Onsite

Person Specification

Qualifications and training

Essential

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the register (ideally RSCN/RN Child)
• Masters Level Degree in healthcare subject or equivalent level of experience
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Research qualification (GCP)

Desirable

• Management/leadership qualification
• Assessing and mentoring qualification
• Training in recruitment and selection of staff

Experience

Essential

• Leadership and management experience or proven ability to provide leadership and management to a team
• Experience of line management, clinical supervision or mentoring
• Significant experience of clinical trials administration and/or management
• Experience of dealing with colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds and at all levels
• Logical and consistent work and career pattern
• Experience of taking a lead role in the set up and running of complex interventional research in the NHS to include the coordination of site visits and liaising with Sponsors and monitors
• Experience of preparing Standard Operating Procedures
• Partnership working across NHS – academic organisations and experience of working with commercial Sponsors of research
• Recent NHS experience

Desirable

• Experience of working in a clinical capacity with children
• Budget management including the costing of commercial trials and non-commercial grants
• Experience of writing SOPs

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• R&D policy and current NHS R&D priorities
• Demonstrable in depth knowledge of the Research Governance Framework (RGF), the Clinical Trials Regulations and ICH GCP
• Evidence of ability to help / support junior staff
• Research activity and management in the NHS or academic sector
• Clinical skills including ability to perform ECG and cannulate
• Numerate
• IT literate
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to motivate others
• Excellent time management – able to plan and work to tight timescales and to multi-task effectively
• Strategies for delivering studies to time and target
• Awareness of the High Level Objectives of the NIHR and research KPIs

Desirable

• Advanced clinical skills
• Project Management skills (Microsystems or similar)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

Employer details

Employer name: Sheffield Children\’s NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Sheffield Children\’s NHS Foundation Trust, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TH

Employer\’s website: [see job posting]