NRS VPAG Network Manager

Background

The 2024 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) is a five-year initiative agreed between the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and the UK Government Department for Health and Social Care to support expansion and enhancement of the UK capacity to deliver pharmaceutical commercial clinical trials.

Delivery in Scotland is through a network of Commercial Research Delivery Centres, building on the existing clinical research delivery infrastructure.

The Central Management Team (CMT) provides support to the wider NHS Research Scotland collaboration by providing a range of services, including liaison and support for companies seeking to place trials within NHS Scotland.

NHS Research Scotland (NRS) is a partnership involving Scottish NHS Boards and the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) of the Scottish Government. The NRS Central Management Team (NRS-CMT) is funded via a direct SLA and sits within InnoScot Health Ltd.

Job Summary

The post holder acts as the national point of contact for the Scottish VPAG collaboration and is responsible for coordinating the delivery of the clinical trials element of VPAG in Scotland.

This includes pan-Scotland support for VPAG funded infrastructure in NRS, developing and maintaining effective links with the VPAG initiative across the UK, and ensuring the delivery of associated administrative activities as part of NRS CMT. A key aspect of the role is to drive recruitment across Scotland to commercial studies.

The post will supervise and provide line management for the NRS VPAG Network Coordinator.

This post reports to the NRS CMT Deputy Manager, working to objectives agreed through the VPAG R&D Directors Group.

The role may require travel across Scotland and the UK.

Activity Areas

• Ensure the effective delivery of the VPAG collaboration in Scotland.
• Expand and develop the VPAG collaborations as part of a single NRS CMT industry team
• Support the Chair of the NRS VPAG Advisory Board to deliver meetings of the Board.
• Act as the primary national contact point for working with Scottish CRDCs
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with equivalent roles within CRDCs in other parts of the UK, as well as with the UK VPAG coordination centre and the UK VPAG network.
• Promote awareness of Scottish capabilities, capacity, performance and activity to attract studies to Scotland
• Engage effectively with existing NRS and UK feasibility processes to enable efficient placement of studies in Scotland
• Enable the provision of accurate VPAG activity reports and data analytics against VPAG KPIs
• Account manage VPAG partner activity
• Support wider development of the NRS VPAG collaboration
• Assist in resolution of problems in study setup or delivery
• Line management of the NRS VPAG coordinator.

Person Specification

Essential

• Degree, or equivalent experience, in a relevant life science or clinical subject
• Experience of working within a clinical research environment, either in industry or healthcare.
• Experience of working across complex organisational structures
• Evidence of managing effective collaborations and partnerships
• Proven interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with clinical and management colleagues at all levels across a range of organisations
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with stakeholders
• Ability to present and communicate effectively
• Ability to analyse and interpret highly complex information and to make judgements regarding a range of highly complex management issues
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and proactively
• Highly motivated, with ability to influence and inspire others
• Good office IT skills

Desirable

• Further relevant qualifications in management or clinical research
• Experience of working in the commercial sector, particularly with large pharmaceutical companies.
• Knowledge of national systems, structures and processes for supporting clinical research (industry and academic sponsored), in the NHS
• Understanding of governance and legislative frameworks for clinical research in the NHS
• Experience of data analysis or other analytics work
• Ability to plan, manage, and deliver complex projects, involving multiple agencies and individuals and a broad range of activities.

The post is available from 1 Mar 2025 for a period of 1 year in the first instance, with the possibility of extension. Secondment and job share applications will be considered.

How to apply:

Please send a copy of your CV along with covering letter to Lyndsey.wilson@innoscot.com.

Only applicants being invited to interview will be contacted.

For further details on NRS and the VPAG initiative:

visit: https://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/industry/vpag