Clinical Research Programme Lead

Job Description

We exist to fund research into beating blood cancer. In the past 60 years, we’ve invested more than £500 million into blood cancer research which has led to improved treatments and saved lives. Everything we do in the next five years will be based on a single aim – to stop people dying of blood cancer or the side effects of its treatments. We want to put people affected by blood cancer at the centre of everything we do. We have an ambitious strategy to increase the annual investment in research. The Clinical Research Programmes Lead will lead the development and delivery of a new large-scale clinical research funding scheme. We plan to launch a major fundraising appeal focused on funding multi-arm multi-stage clinical trials testing multiple interventions, which can make a step change in the treatment of the blood cancers with the poorest survival. The role will lead the development of the scope, guidance, forms and review process for the funding call, including establishing a Funding Committee. You will work closely with colleagues in the fundraising teams to ensure we have compelling information for cases for support that will underpin the major appeal. The role will lead on the development and delivery of new clinical research programmes, such as interventions to increase the access to clinical trials and barriers to clinical-academic careers. It will engage the clinical and research community to increase blood cancer clinical research, through workshops and providing coordination of the Blood Cancer Research Groups.

Key Responsibilities

We exist to fund research into beating blood cancer. In the past 60 years, we’ve invested more than £500 million into blood cancer research which has led to improved treatments and saved lives. Everything we do in the next five years will be based on a single aim – to stop people dying of blood cancer or the side effects of its treatments. We want to put people affected by blood cancer at the centre of everything we do. We have an ambitious strategy to increase the annual investment in research. The Clinical Research Programmes Lead will lead the development and delivery of a new large-scale clinical research funding scheme. We plan to launch a major fundraising appeal focused on funding multi-arm multi-stage clinical trials testing multiple interventions, which can make a step change in the treatment of the blood cancers with the poorest survival. The role will lead the development of the scope, guidance, forms and review process for the funding call, including establishing a Funding Committee. You will work closely with colleagues in the fundraising teams to ensure we have compelling information for cases for support that will underpin the major appeal. The role will lead on the development and delivery of new clinical research programmes, such as interventions to increase the access to clinical trials and barriers to clinical-academic careers. It will engage the clinical and research community to increase blood cancer clinical research, through workshops and providing coordination of the Blood Cancer Research Groups.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
1) Lead the development and delivery of a new large-scale clinical research programme, which forms the basis of a charity-wide major appeal.

• Horizon scan and gather insight on large scale complex innovative clinical trials, incorporating learning as the programme develops.
• Develop and refine scope of the major appeal funding scheme to invest in large-scale complex innovative clinical trials.
• Produce and implement the funding process, applications forms and guidance for a new large-scale complex innovative clinical trial funding scheme.
• Provide project management for the scheme development, launch, community engagement and funding review.
• Set up and provide the secretariat for a strategic steering committee and funding committee to guide direction and make decisions on funding.
• Work closely with the Research Involvement Lead and Involvement Team to ensure meaningful involvement of people affected by blood cancer in the funding decision process.
• Establish mechanisms for monitoring progress of the funded studies, working with lead applicants and committee members to gather and review relevant information.
• Work closely with internal teams across the charity, providing relevant information regarding the funding call and contribute to the creation of cases for support for the major appeal.

2) Lead the delivery of strategic programmes to increase capacity in blood cancer clinical research and access to clinical trials.

• Scope out opportunities for new clinical research funding, which align with our research strategy and funding priorities.
• Work with our Services team to develop and test interventions targeted at health care professionals aimed at increasing access to blood cancer clinical trials, based on insight and evidence.
• Develop our understanding of the barriers to clinical-academic careers in blood cancer and inform our wider work to develop capacity in blood cancer research careers.
• Scope out and consider ways we can overcome barriers to delivery of clinical research through our research funding programme, such as inclusion and access to clinical trials. Work alongside our in house Clinical Research Nurses to ensure the insights from our Clinical Trials Support Services help shape programme development.
• Work closely with colleagues in our Services and Policy Teams on relevant projects to ensure coordination across our clinical research activity and inform wider policy and service priorities.

3) Engage the clinical and research community to develop and deliver blood cancer clinical research.

• Establish mechanisms to engage and bring together the clinical and research communities for the complex innovative trial scheme, such as webinars and workshops, facilitating collaboration to develop high quality applications focused on the areas of unmet clinical need.
• Manage the secretariat for the Blood Cancer Research Groups, being the point of contact for the Chair and Vice Chair of the groups.
• Work with the Blood Cancer Research Groups to gather and share insight on the blood cancer research landscape and priorities for future studies.
• Work closely with the Research Involvement Lead to coordinate involvement of people affected by cancer in the Blood Cancer Research Groups.
• Scope and develop approaches to catalyse capacity building and early career research development in blood cancer clinical research, including through the Blood Cancer Research Groups.

4) General Responsibilities

• Provide accurate and timely reporting in your area to both internal and external stakeholders when required
• Contribute to the team being proactive and supportive, and working effectively and efficiently to achieve agreed objectives
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of strong internal relationships across the charity
• Undertake other work as required by the Deputy Director of Research and Director of Research, Policy and Services

THINGS WE ALL DO

• Promote Blood Cancer UK’s vision, mission and core values
• We’re all fundraisers. This is slightly different for all roles, and your team will have fundraising KPIs and objectives we all work to
• Attend and assist at Blood Cancer UK events and activities as required (NB this sometimes involves evening and weekend work)
• Be an effective ambassador for Blood Cancer UK at any activity you attend
• All staff are expected to adhere to Blood Cancer UK’s policies and procedures
• Do any other reasonable things your manager needs you to do