Job summary

This is an important role in supporting the effective and efficient operation of the R&D Office through the timely provision of complex research governance advice and services for primary care, community care and wider health and care settings, and in service of NIHR East of England Research Delivery Network and related contractual obligations. The role-holder will be expected to have significant specialist research governance expertise in at least one of primary care, community or residential settings, and to be able to operate effectively across all three domains.

They will support robust feasibility, timely set-up and delivery of research studies within the nationally agreed benchmarks, ensuring that the portfolio of studies are prioritised in accordance with feasibility, capacity and capability and are set up accordingly, proactively supporting performance management of studies through regular reporting. As a specialist in one or more of the relevant delivery settings, they will provide specialised and complex study oversight and management, also signposting researchers and delivery sites to relevant guidance and support at the appropriate time for both commercial and non-commercial research.

Main duties of the job

Research project set-up and conduct, including assessment of capacity and capability for research studies and amendments.

Generating research governance reports to provide assurance for social care/non-NHS providers in community and/or residential settings.

Advising organisations on suitability of researcher pre-engagement HR checks and where applicable supporting researchers in obtaining honorary research contracts, letters of access and research passports.

Advising on regulatory and legal requirements for research across settings.

Supporting project costing and securing excess treatment costs.

Collaborating with system colleagues and researchers to support a strong portfolio of research across relevant Integrated Care Systems.

Line and/or project management of junior R&D staff or secondees as required.

About us

We are committed to promoting equal opportunities to achieve equity of access, experience and outcomes and to recognising and valuing people's differences. We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity; we see this as a strength and part of our founding mission, values and behaviours. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers patient outcomes.

We are committed to creating the best place to work, where your contribution is valued, your wellbeing is supported and all our colleagues can reach their full potential. We welcome and encourage applications from all areas of the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of their protected characteristic. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone, including making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition and support with the recruitment process for people with lived experience.

We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles.

We operate a Carer friendly working environment that is supportive and inclusive. We actively encourage Carers to self-identify themselves.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and commit to shortlisting suitable applicants who meet the essential criteria for an interview. Please inform us of any adjustments you may require.

Job summary

As a Senior Manager for Clinical Policies and Exceptional Cases with a focus either on Clinical Policies, Audit and Effectiveness or Prior Approval and Exceptional Cases, you lead the development, implementation, and oversight of clinical commissioning policies and individual funding request (IFR) processes across the ICB. You ensure that decisions are evidence-based, legally robust, and aligned with national guidance and local strategic priorities. Your role supports the effective and equitable use of NHS resources by managing clinical thresholds, reviewing exceptional cases, and enabling consistent, transparent decision-making across the system.

This role covers the areas of Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

Main duties of the job

Lead the development, review, and implementation of clinical commissioning policies, ensuring alignment with NICE guidance, national frameworks, and local priorities.Manage the end-to-end process for Individual Funding Requests (IFRs), including triage, clinical review, panel coordination, and decision documentation.Ensure all policy and case decisions are underpinned by clinical evidence, legal and ethical principles, and resource stewardship.Maintain robust governance frameworks for policy development and IFR decision-making, including audit trails, appeals processes, and reporting mechanisms.Collaborate with clinicians, commissioning teams, legal advisors, and public health colleagues to ensure policies are clinically sound and operationally feasible.Monitor and evaluate the impact of clinical policies on service utilisation, patient outcomes, and financial sustainability.Provide expert advice on clinical thresholds, treatment access criteria, and exceptional case handling to support commissioning and transformation programmes.Lead stakeholder engagement and consultation processes for policy updates and service changes.Ensure compliance with statutory duties, including equality impact assessments, legal challenge readiness, and public accountability.Represent the ICB in regional and national forums related to clinical policy, IFRs, and utilisation management.

About us

We are committed to promoting equal opportunities to achieve equity of access, experience and outcomes and to recognising and valuing people's differences. We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity; we see this as a strength and part of our founding mission, values and behaviours. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers patient outcomes.

We are committed to creating the best place to work, where your contribution is valued, your wellbeing is supported and all our colleagues can reach their full potential. We welcome and encourage applications from all areas of the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of their protected characteristic. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone, including making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition and support with the recruitment process for people with lived experience.

We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles.

We operate a Carer friendly working environment that is supportive and inclusive. We actively encourage Carers to self-identify themselves.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and commit to shortlisting suitable applicants who meet the essential criteria for an interview. Please inform us of any adjustments you may require.

Details

Date posted

15 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,528 to £64,750 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

644-CE086

Job locations

Central East ICB

Ely, Cambridgeshire

CB7 4EA

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on this role, please see the job description and person specification attached

Job description Job responsibilities For further information on this role, please see the job description and person specification attached

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g., health, care, public services, or management).
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and commitment to maintaining up-to-date knowledge and skills
• Significant experience in senior management within a complex organisation, ideally in health or public services
• Registered health care professional with evidence of up to date CPD
• Relevant professional qualification (where applicable).

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Proven management experience in a multi-agency or complex environment
• Demonstrable success in delivering change, transformation, or service improvement programmes
• Understanding of health and care systems, policy context, and organisational priorities.
• Experience in strategic planning, commissioning, or service redesign to improve outcomes and efficiency.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and partners.
• Experience of operating in politically sensitive environments and managing competing priorities

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, able to present complex information clearly to varied audiences
• Strong relationship-building and partnership-working skills across organisational boundaries.
• Analytical ability to interpret complex data and use insights to inform decisions
• Financial awareness and ability to ensure effective use of resources
• Skilled in managing complexity and ambiguity, making sound decisions under pressure, and maintaining focus on strategic goals.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g., health, care, public services, or management). Evidence of ongoing professional development and commitment to maintaining up-to-date knowledge and skills Significant experience in senior management within a complex organisation, ideally in health or public services Registered health care professional with evidence of up to date CPD Relevant professional qualification (where applicable). Knowledge and Experience Essential Proven management experience in a multi-agency or complex environment Demonstrable success in delivering change, transformation, or service improvement programmes Understanding of health and care systems, policy context, and organisational priorities. Experience in strategic planning, commissioning, or service redesign to improve outcomes and efficiency. Ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and partners. Experience of operating in politically sensitive environments and managing competing priorities Skills and Abilities Essential Excellent communication and influencing skills, able to present complex information clearly to varied audiences Strong relationship-building and partnership-working skills across organisational boundaries. Analytical ability to interpret complex data and use insights to inform decisions Financial awareness and ability to ensure effective use of resources Skilled in managing complexity and ambiguity, making sound decisions under pressure, and maintaining focus on strategic goals.

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

NHS Central East ICB

Address

Central East ICB

Ely, Cambridgeshire

CB7 4EA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.centraleast.icb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Central East ICB

Address

Central East ICB

Ely, Cambridgeshire

CB7 4EA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.centraleast.icb.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)