Job summary
As Director of Operations for the NIHR London Applied Research Collaboration (ARC), you will play a critical role in ensuring that a £22m pan-London research programme delivers meaningful impact across health, care and public policy. Working across more than 20 partner organisations, you will translate strategic ambition into delivery--ensuring that research is effectively coordinated, governed and mobilised to improve outcomes for London's population.
The role sits at the centre of a complex, multi-partner system bringing together NHS organisations, universities, local authorities and national bodies. You will shape the ARC's operating model, ensuring that programmes are delivered on time and in line with national expectations; aligning diverse stakeholders, managing performance, and ensuring the ARC supports innovation, collaboration and measurable impact.
Working closely with the Executive team, you will have significant autonomy to influence priorities, resource allocation and delivery approaches. You will connect across research themes, operational functions and partners--ensuring cohesion, pace and focus across a wide and evolving portfolio.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to how research is implemented in practice and influence how health and care challenges are addressed at scale. The role offers both strategic influence and operational accountability, with the potential to shape future models of applied research collaboration nationally and beyond.
Main duties of the job
The Director of Operations leads the operational delivery of the NIHR London ARC, ensuring strategy is translated into coordinated, high-impact programmes across a complex partnership.
A central focus is the development and implementation of the ARC's operating model, ensuring alignment with NIHR priorities and partner strategies. You will lead delivery planning, assess organisational risks and opportunities, and position the ARC for long-term sustainability and growth.
You will oversee programme delivery and performance across research themes and functions, ensuring milestones, outputs and impact measures are achieved. This includes establishing effective performance frameworks, driving accountability and managing delivery risks, while fostering a culture of transparency, continuous improvement and collaboration.
Working closely with senior leaders in the NHS, academia, local government and national bodies, you will build strategic partnerships, represent the ARC in regional and national forums, and support cross-sector alignment.
You will also lead governance, assurance and risk management, ensuring compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. With delegated responsibility for financial planning and resource allocation, you will ensure value for money, sustainability and effective stewardship of resources. In addition, you will lead operational teams and support workforce development across a distributed partnership.
About us
The ARC is hosted by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust that provides specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark. We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and - as part of King's Health Partners - we are one of England's eight academic health sciences centres.
We are one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. Our organisational values--Caring, Ambitious and Inclusive--underpin everything we do, shaping how we work with patients, partners and each other.
The NIHR London ARC is a flagship pan-London initiative, bringing together universities, NHS organisations, local authorities and partners from across the voluntary and industry sectors. With over 20 formal partner organisations and a reach across London, the ARC represents a unique platform for delivering system-wide change at scale.
The ARC structure offers opportunities to influence beyond traditional organisational boundaries, with an environment that encourages professional growth, system leadership and the ability to shape large-scale change. This role provides a unique opportunity to develop experience at the intersection of operations, strategy and research, contributing to a programme with regional, national and international significance.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Working in close partnership with the ARC Directors Chief Operating Officer and Executive, the role has significant autonomy to make decisions on programme priorities, resource allocation, and operational strategy.
The role will be responsible for:
- Programme delivery, planning, and performance management
- Governance, assurance, and reporting
- Coordination across research themes and the responsive research function
- Operational support to stakeholder engagement and partnership working
- Management of the core programme team
The post holder will act as the central coordination point for the ARC, ensuring alignment between research, operations, and impact activities.
The role ensures that ARC strategy is translated into delivery, enabling achievement of objectives and compliance with National Institute for Health and Care Research requirements.
Key working relationships:
- ARC Director, Co-Director, Deputy Director, Chief Operating Officer
- ARC Executive and Board members
- Theme Leads,Population Impact Cluster leads, Research topic leads and Programme Directors
- Senior leaders across NHS Trusts, ICSs, academia, and local authorities
- NIHR regional and national teams
- Finance, HR, and governance leads across partner organisations
- ARC Core operational team
Guys and St Thomas celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or studys at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends.
Flexible working
We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking in to account the individuals personalcircumstances as well the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process.
Due to recent changes inthe UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further informationabout eligibilityis available on the UK Government website.
Your e-mail address is important to us -We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis.
Please apply for this post by clicking "Apply Online Now."
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree or equivalent experience in health research management, health systems leadership, programme leadership or related field
- Evidence of continuing professional development and leadership development at senior management level
Desirable
- Formal programme/project management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, MSP) or equivalent experience
- Doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent)
Experience
Essential
- Significant senior leadership experience within complex health, research, academic, or public sector environments
- Experience leading or managing complex, multi-partner programmes with regional or national impact
- Experience in research delivery or NIHR infrastructure
- Experience managing substantial and complex budgets and resource allocation processes
- Experience of governance and risk management frameworks
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Strong programme management and organisational skills
- Ability to translate strategy into delivery
- Expertise in performance monitoring and reporting
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Highly organised and delivery-focused
- Collaborative and proactive
- Resilient and adaptable in a complex environment
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively across diverse teams and cultures
- Credible and confident senior leader able to influence at executive and system-wide level
- Ability to operate effectively in highly ambiguous, politically sensitive and complex environments
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 UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
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. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Becket House
1 Lambeth Palace Road London
London
SE1 7EU
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)
This listing was aggregated from publicly-available sources. The employer holds an A-rated sponsor licence at the time of this listing, but sponsorship of this specific role is not guaranteed — the employer's offer and UK Visas and Immigration are the final authority. Details may have changed since our last update — verify with the employer via the Apply link.