Approvals Quality Control Manager
Employer: Health Research Authority
Location: Home worker - Willingness to travel nationally on an occasional basis including being absent from home and outside of core hours.
Temporary: 18 months (Fixed term for 18 months.)
Working hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £49,387 - £56,515 per annum
Closing date: 30/06/2026 23:59
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The HRA is a Non Departmental Public Body with the remit to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research. We do this by supporting and promoting a robust and efficient regulatory and governance framework in the UK. We provide the Research Ethics Service (RES), Confidentiality Advice function, assessments and assurances on behalf of the NHS, and learning, guidance and advice for the research community. Our ambition is to make the UK a great place to do research, where more money invested in research goes into carrying out relevant, good quality research.
Our purpose is to ensure that research involving NHS patients and members of the public is approved through a proportionate and robust system, that they are provided with the information they need to help them decide whether they wish to take part, and that their opportunity to do so is maximised by simplifying the processes by which high quality research is assessed. We have already delivered significant improvements by centralising and simplifying the approval of research in the NHS in England, and are undertaking a range of significant programmes to deliver further improvements.
Job overview
The Approvals Directorate comprises distinct teams involved in the operational delivery of HRA Approval. These teams work to deliver the UK-wide Research Ethics Service, aligned Four Nations operational policy and process and HRA involvement in government driven initiatives.
This role is critical in delivering the HRA’s contribution to improvements in UK clinical research set-up and delivery. This supports the government’s pledge to cut the time it takes to get a clinical trial set up to 150 days or less.
The role is a varied and complex role that requires an in-depth and expert knowledge of UK research approvals landscape.
The post holder will play a key role in ensuring that the HRA continues to deliver a high-quality service to applicants for research approvals, working to ISO9001 principles to ensure a robust approach to quality management.
The role is crucial in supporting colleagues in the HRA in delivering effective, efficient and high-quality operational processes.
The role provides key insights to assess the extent to which processes and work instructions are being applied consistently across our approvals service. This enables identification of areas of improvement to continue to increase the quality of the service provided.
The postholder delivers assurance that research progresses through the approvals pathway with complete, accurate, and regulation‑compliant documentation, supporting efficient, and streamlined regulatory review processes.
Main duties of the job
The Approvals Quality Control Manager is responsible for:
Collating, analysing and reporting information that is required to monitor and assess the quality of HRA and UK wide regulatory approvals
Conducting detailed quality checks of applications to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with HRA regulatory requirements
Assessing whether documentation aligns with expectations for NHS based research, including legal, ethical, site governance, and information governance requirements in order to provide assurances in the HRA approvals provided
Oversight of quality of study wide reviews, and HRA regulatory decision-making ensuring alignment with HRA policy, SOPs, and national and UK wide regulatory requirements
Communicate to various stakeholders about identified issues with the system/processes, undertaking research and developing proposals for consideration by senior leadership and/or relevant governance group(s)
Planning and responsibility for a broad programme of work, which will require the ability to balance, adjust and prioritise plans and workloads to ensure delivery to timescales
Make judgements involving complex facts, or situations, that require analysis, determination and comparison of options and recommendations
Ensure that advice provided is consistent,accurate, timely and authoritative
Demonstrate own activities to new or less experienced staff, including temporary staff
The post holder has significant discretion to work within a set of defined parameters
Working for our organisation
Working at the HRA, we are reminded daily of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.
When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement – if it works for us, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note, if applying to our Manchester, Nottingham or Bristol locations, we are only able to offer the role as home based.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification documents for full details about this role.
When completing your application, ensure you clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills align with the criteria outlined for this position.
We recognise that generative AI tools can be helpful in supporting applicants during the recruitment process, particularly for tasks such as proofreading, structuring, or refining written responses. However, we encourage candidates to use AI responsibly and sparingly. Applications should reflect your authentic voice, personal experiences, and genuine qualifications. Over reliance on AI-generated content can result in generic or inaccurate submissions that fail to meet the criteria or convey your individuality. Misrepresentation of skills, knowledge, or experience, including through AI-generated content, may lead to the rejection of your application, withdrawal of your offer, or your dismissal if you do start with us. If you choose to use AI, please ensure it enhances rather than replaces your own input, and be transparent about its use where appropriate. False and insincere examples go against our values of integrity and transparency.
Important information
We are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement as we do not hold a sponsorship licence. Applications requiring sponsorship will not be considered.
Applications that do not clearly demonstrate how the essential criteria outlined in the person specification are met will not be shortlisted.
Only the information provided in the application form will be considered. CVs will not be reviewed.
We do not accept applications via recruitment agencies or other third parties.
The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.
Our fixed term roles are also open to applicants who wish to apply on a secondment basis. Applicants who fit this category are advised to speak with their line manager before applying and visit their organisations Secondments Policy.
Organisational structure and directorate overview
The HRA is made up of five directorates: Approvals, Chief Executive, Digital, Policy and Partnerships and Resources.
This role is in the HRA Approvals Service directorate which consists of teams that work together, across the HRA and across the UK research landscape to provide the appropriate approvals for health and care research in England and, in some cases, across the UK, and to coordinate and standardise research regulation policy and practice across the UK.
This directorate issues HRA Approval, provides the research ethics service in England, supports the Confidentiality Advisory Group advising on the use of confidential patient information without consent; and coordinates technical assurances for pharmacy and radiation. We lead work to refine and maintain the systems and processes researchers need to follow to ensure a swift, robust and simple experience. We do this by working collaboratively with external partners and nearly 1000 committee volunteers to improve the research environment.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
Highly developed specialist knowledge acquired through a combination of advanced training, extensive experience, and continuous professional development or a Masters level qualification in a relevant subject area
Evidence of significant and Continuous Professional Development including further training and experience in relevant subjects, and practices to post graduate diploma level or equivalent, demonstrating the acquisition of specialist knowledge in relevant area.
Knowledge, Skills and Expertise
Essential criteria
Expert knowledge and experience in applying knowledge of UK wide research guidance and legislation including the Human Tissue Act, Mental Capacity Act, Data Protection Act, and Clinical Trials legislation. This should include awareness of research network structures in England and equivalent arrangements in devolved administrations.
Expert knowledge of UK research regulatory requirements, research approval, NHS governance, ethical review process, performance expectations and the strategic drivers for research approvals.
Analytical skills particularly in the field of quality control or quality assurance, including the analysis of multiple sources of information to ensure compliance with process, policy and regulation.
Experience
Essential criteria
Experience of monitoring, or carrying out audits or other quality assurance checks.
Desirable criteria
Presentation skills including the ability to conduct meetings and deliver presentations and workshops using a range of presentational aids.
Significant experience of collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to lead the development of guidance, standard operating procedures, and performance reporting to inform healthcare research regulation.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
Essential criteria
Experience of complex analysis of research monitoring or regulation data, with demonstrable ability to interpret the facts and draw conclusions, summarising complex issues and delivering recommendations and guidance both verbal and written.
Interpersonal Skills
Essential criteria
Able to present arguments and justification for actions confidently.
Desirable criteria
Flexible working approach, with proactive approach to change.
Commitment to team working and respect and consideration for the skills of others.
Other
Desirable criteria
Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity
Interpersonal Skills
Essential criteria
Highly self-motivated, confident, pro-active, innovative, with ability to work independently and on own initiative.
Desirable criteria
Diplomacy and sensitivity, negotiating and influencing including ability to be assertive whilst cooperative, ability to work well with others, at all levels in an organisation including senior staff.
Other
Desirable criteria
Willingness to travel nationally on an occasional basis including being absent from home and outside of core hours.
In return for your commitment, we offer excellent opportunities for personal development and a healthy work-life balance. The HRA is committed to promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality. We welcome and encourage applications, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity and gender expression, disability, race, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, sex or sexual orientation or any other personal circumstances. Reasonable adjustments to the interview process can be made upon request, for candidates with a disability. The HRA welcomes applicants who are interested in flexible working including job share, part time work, secondments or home-based working. Please discuss any preferred flexibility at your interview.
The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications.
The HRA does not hold a sponsor licence in respect of skilled worker visas and so is unable to employ candidates requiring sponsorship.
In order to be considered for this position you must address the criteria outlined in the person specification in your supporting statement. You will be considered based on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered. All contact is made via our Trac recruitment system. Please check your account regularly.
After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our Third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
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