Head of Investigator Initiated Trials Unit

Head of Investigator Initiated Trials Unit

Main area Administration Contract 24 months (Fixed Term) Hours Full time - 35 hours per week Job ref 282-ICR

Employer The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site The Institute of Cancer Research Town Sutton Salary £59,490 - £78,028 Per Annum Salary period Yearly Closing 15/05/2025 23:59

Job overview

An exciting and unique opportunity has arisen to lead our Investigator-Initiated Trials (IIT) Team.This Head of IIT role will shape strategy, oversee a diverse portfolio of academic, early phase oncology clinical trials, and collaborate with world-leading researchers, industry and academic collaborators and various governance committees. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in clinical research, a strong leadership presence, and a passion for patient-centred academic clinical trials. With a focus on advancing hypothesis driven, biomarker enriched clinical trials through academic research, this position offers an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a significant impact in drug development.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be educated to at least degree level in life sciences or a health-related field, with demonstrable experience in leading a team and working in clinical trials. They must have an excellent understanding of the conduct of Phase I oncology trials, demonstrable people management skills, strong communication skills to effectively engage with collaborators, including investigators, sponsors and regulatory bodies. The post holder must be highly organised and able to plan work around a busy clinical unit.

Working for our organisation

The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. The scientists at the ICR have contributed to identifying several cancer genes, discovered multiple practice changing cancer drugs and have developed precision therapies. Together with our hospital partner The Royal Marsden (RM), we are rated in the top four centres for cancer research and treatment worldwide.

The ICR was ranked first in the UK for its research in biological sciences in a combined assessment of research quality, impact and environment; and overall, second in the UK among all higher Education institutions in REF 2021 analysis.

As an academic institute, ICR is a college of the University of London and has a charitable status. The institute operates with funding support from grants, partner organisations, charities, donors, industry partners and the general public. The ICR has more than 1,000 staff, researchers and students across three sites – in Chelsea and Sutton.

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading specialist cancer hospital. The Institute of Cancer Research works in close partnership with The Royal Marsden to take the results of our research rapidly into the clinic, with the aim of developing better treatments for cancer patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information, please refer to the job description and person specification

Strategic Leadership

Develop a portfolio of transformational trials by engaging with Investigators in alignment with organizational strategies and available funding streams.

Develop the DDU-IIT team, maintaining a core team of expert staff and building up longer-term viability of capacity for project management and monitoring.

Provide a strategic vision for the DDU-IIT team to complement ICR/RM strategy and business plan, ensuring performance is in line with organisational requirements.

Contribute to the overall leadership of the DDU by playing an active role in the senior management team, deputising for the Head of Operations when absent.

Operational Leadership

Lead the execution of investigator-initiated trials, ensuring the integration of digital systems for realtime data tracking, compliance monitoring, and risk assessment.

Oversee and direct clinical research operations to ensure studies are conducted to the highest standards and in compliance with ICH-GCP and UK legislation.

Oversee the management of investigator-initiated trials, ensuring systems are established to monitor all aspects of study progress, including screening, recruitment, compliance, IMP management, pharmacovigilance and reporting.

Oversee the development and use of electronic regulatory documentation and digital pharmacovigilance systems to enhance reporting accuracy and compliance

Prepare or oversee preparation of clinical study protocols in conjunction with Chief Investigator and relevant scientists

Managerial, Supervisory, Advisory Responsibilities

Structure the DDU-IIT team with appropriate workforce planning and securing appropriate funding.

Supervise all project management, monitoring, pharmacovigilance and data management activities undertaken within the DDU-IIT team.

Oversee staff recruitment and development including objective setting, performance appraisal and training. Remain directly responsible for all such activities for the direct reports

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.

Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.

All applicants will be contacted by email to the address supplied on your application. Applicants are advised to check their email accounts regularly and to ensure that email filters are set to allow our emails.

Flu Vaccination – What We Expect of our Staff

At The Royal Marsden we have an immune compromised patient population who we must protect as much as we can against the flu virus. Each year, seasonal flu affects thousands of people in the UK. Occurring mainly in winter, it is an infectious respiratory disease capable of producing symptoms ranging from those similar to a common cold, through to very severe or even fatal disease.

The wellbeing of our staff and patients is of the upmost importance to us, and it is the expectation of The Royal Marsden that all patient-facing staff have an annual flu vaccination, provided free of charge by the Trust.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Name Dr Bindu Baikady Email address

If you have problems applying, contact

Address Recruitment Bureau
The Royal Marsden Hospital
Downs Road
Sutton
SM2 5PT

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