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Research Operations Manager - Sarcoma Unit

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Chelsea, SW3 6JJ £66,274 – £73,496 a year Permanent Posted 1 September 2026 Apply by 10 September 2026

Home Office register entry: The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London

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Closest occupation match: SOC 1259, Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified. Home Office going rate for this occupation: £41,400 a year.

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Role description

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Research Operations Manager to join our Sarcoma Clinical Research Unit. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role in delivering a world-class portfolio of clinical research studies that directly impact the lives of patients with sarcoma.

As Research Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the operational oversight, delivery and development of the Sarcoma Clinical Research Unit's research portfolio.

You will ensure all clinical trials are conducted to the highest standards of Good Clinical Practice, regulatory compliance and governance, while leading a team of clinical trial coordinators and administrators to deliver excellence across all aspects of research management.

You will also have responsibility for financial oversight of the unit's portfolio, business development activities, and supporting the long-term sustainability and growth of sarcoma research at The Royal Marsden.

The Royal Marsden is internationally recognised for its excellence in cancer research, treatment and patient care.

Working alongside leading clinicians, researchers, research nurses, the wider multidisciplinary team and operational colleagues, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for a diverse portfolio of commercial, non-commercial and investigator-initiated clinical trials.

We are looking for an accomplished clinical research professional with strong leadership, operational and financial management skills. If you are passionate about clinical research, experienced in trial management, and thrive in a dynamic leadership environment, we would love to hear from you.

Joining our team offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of cancer research, alongside internationally recognised clinicians, researchers and research professionals who are driving advances in cancer care. You will benefit from excellent professional development opportunities within a supportive and inclusive environment that values innovation, collaboration and continuous learning. We are committed to flexible working and offer a blend of on-site and home working where service needs allow. Most importantly, you will play a key role in delivering pioneering research that has the potential to improve outcomes and transform the lives of cancer patients both nationally and internationally.

Based at our Chelsea Hospital site in London, this role has cross-site responsibility for supporting and overseeing all Sarcoma Clinical Research Unit activities across The Royal Marsden. As such, the post holder will be required to travel to our Sutton site, as required to meet service needs. Flexible and home working arrangements may be available where appropriate and agreed with the line manager.

Main duties of the job

  • Take responsibility for ensuring all clinical trials within the sarcoma clinical research unit are set-up, conducted and managed in accordance with Good Clinical Practice, all relevant Standard Operating Procedures, and relevant legislation / governance.
  • Manage and lead the administrative / operational team of the sarcoma clinical research unit.
  • Manage and oversee the finances and budget of the sarcoma clinical research unit, ensuring a balanced portfolio which enables sufficient income generation for the sustainability and development of the team.
  • Co-develop and be responsible for the operational delivery of the strategy of the sarcoma clinical research unit, in conjunction with the consultants / researchers and Lead Research Nurse.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Details

Date posted

01 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£66,274 to £73,496 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

282-CR1832

Job locations

Royal Marsden Hospital Chelsea

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ

United Kingdom


Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:

  • Identify gaps in procedure, policy, information and staff knowledge relevant to research within the division/area of responsibility and devise appropriate systems to fill them and improve performance.
  • Attend and represent the unit at relevant meetings. Ensure an environment that is conducive to the development and delivery of clinical research, that is empowering for staff, and is responsive to changing needs and strategy.
  • Ensure facilities and other resources are available to meet service needs, including analysing and managing space requirements
  • Build alliances and working partnerships.
  • Observe and comply with the relevant policies and procedures for health and safety ensuring the environment in which you and your staff work is safe, clean and tidy.
  • Comply with standard infection control precautions to prevent or minimise the spread of micro-organisms and communicable diseases to patients, staff and surrounding community.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

  • Life sciences (or equivalent) undergraduate degree or relevant experience;
  • Research methods education;
  • Evidence of Continuing Professional Development;
  • Recent GCP training;

Desirable

  • Postgraduate degree (eg. MSc, PhD)

Experience / Knowledge

Essential

  • Experience as a senior trial coordinator or above working in a clinical research environment in the NHS;
  • Detailed knowledge of clinical trials, UK Clinical trial regulations, GCP and regulatory framework;
  • Experience of clinical trial and portfolio budget / finance management;
  • Personal and leadership management experience;
  • Experience in delivering teaching programmes;
  • Well-developed IT skills/word processing, data collection/internet skills;

Desirable

  • Competence in research orientated PC software (Access, Excel, SPSS);

Skills / Abilities

Essential

  • Advanced organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at various stages of development and organisation;
  • Excellent cross-disciplinary/interagency communication skills and ability to facilitate collaborative working relationships;
  • Ability to appraise junior staff through performance review
  • Confident and articulate;
  • Ability to make decisions, organise and prioritise;
  • Ability to innovate and respond to change;
  • Able to work unsupervised;

Desirable

  • Ability to initiate and drive original research;

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.

Employer details

Employer name

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Marsden Hospital Chelsea

Chelsea

SW3 6JJ

United Kingdom


Employer's website

https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/working-royal-marsden

Last verified against our ingestion on 2 September 2026; sponsor register dataset 2026-08-25.