Member Management and Development Specialist
Employer: Health Research Authority
Location: Home based - Flexibility to travel across the UK, including occasional overnight stays
Working hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £49,387 - £56,515 Per Annum
Closing date: 25/06/2026 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
We’re seeking an enthusiastic and experienced volunteer manager to lead our Member Support Team in delivering a high-quality Research Ethics Committee (REC) and Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG) service. The postholder will oversee the effective end-to-end management of the member lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, induction, development, retention, and performance management.
The role requires the ability to effectively prioritise competing demands, identify and implement process improvements and support the team to manage a large and complex membership within a high-volume, fast response operational environment.
There are approximately 1,000 members and the postholder will ensure that REC and CAG membership is appropriately constituted, sustainable, and aligned with relevant legislation, policy, and operational requirements. The postholder will be responsible for resolving complex and sensitive member matters in line with organisational policies.
Alongside this they will lead on the development and improvement of member service standards and proactively identify and mitigate risks to service delivery.
To carry out the role effectively, the postholder will need to work collaboratively with internal colleagues, other UK nations and external stakeholders. They will need strong influencing and persuasion skills, alongside the ability to communicate complex information clearly.
Main duties of the job
· Leading the Member Support Team to ensure delivery of a high-quality, Research Ethics Committee (REC) and Confidentiality Advisory Group (CAG) service, ensuring membership is appropriately constituted, sustainable and aligned with relevant legislation, policy and operational requirements.
· Ensuring delivery of effective end-to-end management of the member lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, induction, development, retention, and performance management of approximately 1,000 members.
· Leading the development and improvement of member service standards, ensuring that membership capacity, capability, and conduct enable the delivery of timely, robust and high-quality ethics review and confidentiality advice.
· Proactively identifying and mitigating risks to service delivery and taking appropriate action to maintain service performance.
· Resolving complex and sensitive member matters in line with organisational policies.
· Working collaboratively with operational teams and stakeholders across the UK to support the ongoing development and assurance of UK REC and CAG services.
· Communicating complex information clearly through high-quality presentations and reports.
· Prioritising competing demands, identifying and implementing process improvements that enhance efficiency and enable the team to manage a large and complex membership.
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
This role sits within the HRA Approvals Service directorate which consists of various teams that all work together to provide the appropriate approval for health research in England and, for some applications, across the UK. This directorate is responsible for:
· Delivering HRA Approval
· Supporting the Confidentiality Advisory Group and advising on the use of confidential patient information without consent
· Working to refine the systems and processes researchers need to follow to ensure a swift, robust and simple experience
· Providing guidance to applicants
· Providing training
· Working collaboratively with external partners to improve the research environment. To find out more and to understand the full duties of the role, please refer to the job description attached.
In submitting your application with us, please note the following:
We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies.
We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement.
Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted. You will be considered based only on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered.
The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.Person specification
Qualifications
Desirable criteria
Project Management qualification
Post graduate leadership qualification or equivalent experience
Other
Essential criteria
Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Qualifications
Essential criteria
Significant demonstrable and relevant experience in a volunteer management or volunteer recruitment role equivalent to a degree, and / or a degree related to the subject
Experience
Essential criteria
Significant experience in team leadership and service delivery within a high-volume, complex environment.
Proven experience in service improvement, change management, and (desirably) training design and delivery.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
Essential criteria
Ability to analyse complex data and stakeholder feedback to inform decision-making, service improvements, and operational policy.
Interpersonal Skills
Essential criteria
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage, support and manage a wide range of stakeholders.
Other
Essential criteria
Flexibility to travel across the UK, including occasional overnight stays
Knowledge, Skills and Expertise
Essential criteria
Strong knowledge of research ethics frameworks including UK REC Policy Document and relevant UK legislation (e.g., Clinical Trials Regulations, GCP etc.)
Advanced data analysis and reporting skills (including Excel), with excellent organisational, problem solving and prioritisation abilities.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills
Essential criteria
Ability to analyse information and make decisions managing sensitive member issues and balancing competing priorities
Interpersonal Skills
Essential criteria
Strong relationship-building and team leadership capability to deliver high-quality, collaborative outcomes
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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