Band 8c Assistant Director: Research, Knowledge and Design

Job summary

Health Innovation West Midlands supports the discovery, development and deployment of health and care innovation across the region. To support our academic and research activities, we are recruiting a senior role to further develop our expertise. We are looking for someone with high levels of professional curiosity, a desire to achieve through partnerships with others, a good understanding of the regional research landscape and who wants to join a growing organization at an exciting time. As a key member of our Senior Leadership team, this new role will at as the focal point for our academic connections, translating research into practical application and supporting the design of our projects and activities. If you have passion, enthusiasm and a 'can-do' attitude, coupled with solid knowledge of the world of academia, come and join us as we make impactful change our population's health experiences. 

Main duties, tasks & skills required

In this new role you will be responsible for delivering the discovery and deployment of evidence-based, knowledge led innovation approaches that supports Health Innovation West Midlands and our system partners.

This includes developing and implementing design science into our products and services, working strategically with our academic and research partners, and supporting commercial research across the West Midlands. This work will support our population to have access to promising early-stage treatments and innovations, whilst securing economic growth for the region.

You will also support the business development of the organisation, using processes that identify, assess, develop and secure research opportunities with partners for externally funded activity.

As a senior leader, you will bring demonstrable leadership experience with academic and/or research organsiations, an interest in translating research into action, good analytical and evaluation skills, and an ability to persuade and collaborate to get results. You will be responsible for further developing our regional, national and international research activity, championing regional areas of expertise and generating income for the betterment of the region.

You will have significant autonomy to establish, lead, direct and develop research and knowledge activities, as well considerable influence on our organisational strategy, annual plans, operational practices, and our future sustainability.

About us

We are recognised as one of the leading NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK. Our vision is to Build Healthier Lives, and we recognise that we need incredible staff to do this.

Our commitment to our staff is to create the best place for them to work, and we are dedicated to:

Investing in the health and wellbeing of our staff, including a commitment of offering flexible working where we can;
Offer our staff a wide variety of training and development opportunities, to support their personal and career development objectives.

UHB is committed to ensuring that our staff are treated fairly and feel that they belong, by creating a kind and inclusive environment. This is about equity of opportunity; removing all barriers, including discrimination and ensuring each individual member of staff reach their true potential, achieve their ambitions and thrive in their work. This is more than words. We are taking action. Our commitment to an inclusive culture is embedded at all levels of the organisation where every voice is heard, driven by our diverse and active staff networks, and at Board level by the Fairness Taskforce led by our CEO. We nurture a culture which empowers staff to challenge discriminatory behaviours and to enable people to bring their 'whole self' to a kinder, more connected and bold place to work.

University Hospitals Birmingham is a Smoke-Free premises hospital.

Job description

*Please Note : For a detailed job description for this vacancy, please see attached Job Description* 

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

*Professional knowledge plus additional specialist, management knowledge acquired through training and experience to master's level or equivalent experience relating to Business Administration, Health and Social Care or Economic Growth.

*Evidence of accredited management / leadership / research / commercial training or evidence of practical application of expertise at this level.

Experience

Essential

*Significant relevant experience in research, knowledge and design methodologies

*Significant understanding of the health and care research landscape

*Significant experience of developing and managing research / knowledge-based collaborations and partnerships

*Significant experience of identifying, responding to a