Manchester has a rich history of groundbreaking research and innovation - it is part of the DNA of the city-region and it is one of the UK's most dynamic health innovation and life sciences ecosystems. At MFT we recognise and support this and our R&I strengths, including data, genomics, oncology, and real-world evidence clinical trials, attract partnerships and collaborations with leading national and international companies. We continue to be at the cutting-edge of healthcare research, innovation, and life sciences in the UK and across the world and we host one of the largest and diverse National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) portfolios in the country, providing our local ecosystem with the full translational pathway from bench to bedside. We also host Health Innovation Manchester, GM's Health Innovation Network, and the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC), uniting leading healthcare providers with world-class academics and researchers.We now have an exciting opportunity for a Director of Research and Innovation to join our organisation and play a pivotal role to our future success.Main duties of the jobAs our new Director of Research and Innovation you will be responsible for the clinical and academic leadership of the clinical research strategy across MFT, developing and delivering the clinical research component of our strategy, developing capacity through the creation of future research leaders and building partnerships across the NHS, academia and industry to drive innovation for improved patient outcomes.Our ideal candidate will have an international profile in translational research/experimental medicine, be recognised as a research leader and bring the knowledge, experience, and capability to lead within academia. You will be a highly credible and inclusive leader with the ability to influence at all levels and central to your success will be your experience of establishing new structures and procedures based on networks of influence and persuasion, in a clinical/academic environment. Finally, a track record of leading or participating in successful applications for major strategic grants from third party bodies will be key.MFT has a culture of inclusion and belonging, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open and transparent. If our Trust and this role is of interest we would be delighted to hear from you.About usMFT is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England with a turnover of £3.0bn & is on a different scale than most other NHS Trusts. We're creating an exceptional integrated health & social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services every year.Bringing together 10 hospitals & community services from across Manchester, Trafford & beyond, we champion collaborative working & transformation, encouraging our 30,000 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you'll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary.We've also created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient & staff experience, operational effectiveness & driving research, and innovation through the introduction of Hive; our Electronic Patient Record system which launched in September 2022.We're proud to be a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, providing you with a robust infrastructure to encourage and facilitate high-quality research programmes. What's more, we're excited to be embarking on our Green Plan which sets out how MFT continues to play its part in making healthcare more sustainable.At MFT, we create and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open, and transparent, protecting your health and wellbeing and shaping the future of our organisation together.DetailsDate posted13 August 2025Pay schemeHospital medical and dental staffGradeConsultantSalaryDepending on experience Additional Responsibility AllowanceContractFixed termDuration5 yearsWorking patternPart-timeReference number349-COR-7410274-RL4Job locationsCobbett House, Trust HeadquartersOxford RoadManchesterM13 9WLJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesOn this page you will find a Role Profile which provides information about MFT and full details of the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. For more information or to apply, please visit www.odgers.com/94411. Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesOn this page you will find a Role Profile which provides information about MFT and full details of the role. We recommend that you review this and refer to it as you complete your application. For more information or to apply, please visit www.odgers.com/94411.Person SpecificationQualifications - Academic / ProfessionalEssential
Medical degree.
Higher academic degree e.g. MD/MS or PhD or evidence of equivalent level of attainment in research publications.
Recognised as a research leader with an international standing in research with the knowledge, experience, and capability to lead within academia.
A successful candidate would be expected to have achieved or meet the standards for Professorial appointment at ICR.
Desirable
GMC registration and entry on the appropriate GMC Specialist Register.
ExperienceEssential
Demonstrable track record in influencing high level agendas.
Experience of formulating and delivering a strategic plan whilst being accountable to several stakeholder partners.
International profile in translational research/experimental medicine.
Track record of leading or participating in successful applications for major strategic grants from third party bodies.
Experience of working within organisational partnerships to successfully create new clinical research models.
Experience of establishing new structures and procedures based on networks of influence and persuasion in a clinical/academic environment.
Desirable
Significant Executive Director experience in a similarly complex organisation or system.
Skills, Ability and KnowledgeEssential
Highly credible and inclusive leader with ability to influence at all levels.
Ability to influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to bring about change and improvement.
Strong partnership engagement and development skills.
Effective leadership skills, able to communicate vision and lead change effectively.
Clear vision and sense of direction with ability to identify and focus on key issues.
Able to inspire others and lead by example.
Ability to represent complex and challenging issues to external stakeholders in science and healthcare and more widely across academia, the NHS and government.
Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
OtherEssential
Able to work across sites and be flexible to meet the needs of the role.
Person SpecificationQualifications - Academic / ProfessionalEssential
Medical degree.
Higher academic degree e.g. MD/MS or PhD or evidence of equivalent level of attainment in research publications.
Recognised as a research leader with an international standing in research with the knowledge, experience, and capability to lead within academia.
A successful candidate would be expected to have achieved or meet the standards for Professorial appointment at ICR.
Desirable
GMC registration and entry on the appropriate GMC Specialist Register.
ExperienceEssential
Demonstrable track record in influencing high level agendas.
Experience of formulating and delivering a strategic plan whilst being accountable to several stakeholder partners.
International profile in translational research/experimental medicine.
Track record of leading or participating in successful applications for major strategic grants from third party bodies.
Experience of working within organisational partnerships to successfully create new clinical research models.
Experience of establishing new structures and procedures based on networks of influence and persuasion in a clinical/academic environment.
Desirable
Significant Executive Director experience in a similarly complex organisation or system.
Skills, Ability and KnowledgeEssential
Highly credible and inclusive leader with ability to influence at all levels.
Ability to influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to bring about change and improvement.
Strong partnership engagement and development skills.
Effective leadership skills, able to communicate vision and lead change effectively.
Clear vision and sense of direction with ability to identify and focus on key issues.
Able to inspire others and lead by example.
Ability to represent complex and challenging issues to external stakeholders in science and healthcare and more widely across academia, the NHS and government.
Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
OtherEssential
Able to work across sites and be flexible to meet the needs of the role.
