R&D Senior Programme Lead – Open Dialogue Implementation Research Programme

Band 8C R&D Senior Programme Lead - Open Dialogue Implementation Research

Are you an experienced senior programme leader with a passion for innovation, research and mental health transformation?

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Research & Development Directorate at NELFT to lead the Open Dialogue Implementation Research Programme, a nationally significant programme delivering research, training and implementation across NHS mental health services.

We are seeking an exceptional individual with a proven track record of leading complex programmes, building strategic partnerships and delivering transformational change. This 18-month fixed-term Band 8c opportunity offers the chance to work alongside leading clinicians, researchers, implementation specialists and people with lived experience to support the future development and scale-up of Open Dialogue within the NHS.

Predominantly home-based with national travel, including regular travel to Cambridge and other partner organisations, this role combines strategic leadership, programme management, research delivery, workforce transformation and stakeholder engagement within one of the most exciting mental health implementation programmes currently underway in the UK.

Reporting directly to Dr Russell Razzaque, Director of Research & Development, the successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Open Dialogue Implementation Research Programme and play a key role in shaping the future implementation of Open Dialogue within mental health services nationally.

Main Duties of the Job

The successful candidate will:

• Provide senior leadership for the Open Dialogue Implementation Research Programme.
• Develop and deliver strategic programme plans, ensuring delivery of agreed objectives, milestones and outcomes.
• Lead multiple interdependent workstreams covering research, training, governance, workforce development, finance and partnership working.
• Hold delegated responsibility for significant programme budgets, financial forecasting and reporting.
• Lead programme governance, assurance, risk management and reporting arrangements.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with NHS organisations, universities, national networks, funders and implementation partners.
• Lead the design, coordination, delivery and evaluation of large-scale Open Dialogue training programmes.
• Produce high-quality reports, business cases, governance papers, briefings, dashboards and presentations for senior decision-makers.
• Manage and develop programme staff, including Research Assistants and other programme personnel.
• Ensure compliance with research governance, information governance, data protection and Trust policies.
• Represent the programme at senior internal, regional and national meetings.

Working for Our Organisation

At NELFT, we are committed to improving lives through high-quality care, innovation and research.

The Open Dialogue Implementation Research Programme will support the development and scaling of Open Dialogue approaches within mental health services nationally. This role offers a unique opportunity to work alongside nationally recognised leaders in Open Dialogue, implementation research and mental health transformation, helping to shape future service delivery across the NHS.

The role sits within the Research & Development Directorate led by Dr Russell Razzaque and forms part of a growing portfolio of implementation research, workforce development and service transformation programmes. The successful applicant will lead a dedicated programme team supporting implementation, research and training activities.

Our Values 2025 - 2030

Working with our colleagues, patients and carers we have co-produced three new values that we aim to embed within our culture here at NELFT.
They are:

• We are kind.
• We are respectful.
• We work together with our communities.

These three values help us to strive to provide the best care by the best people.

Probationary Period

This post will be subject to a probationary period.

High Cost Area Supplement - Outer London
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15%of the basic salary (minimum payment of £4,870 and a maximum payment of £6,1371 - per annum, pro rata for part time)

Certificates of Sponsorship
Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for all job roles. Please check your eligibility under the UKVI points-based system. When calculating the basic salary for sponsorship, HCAS (High-Cost Area Supplement) is not included to ensure fairness and consistency within our Trust.

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role and working at North East London NHS Foundation Trust. We encourage you to refer to this when completing your application.

Additional Information

• This is an 18-month fixed-term post funded through the Open Dialogue Implementation Research Programme.
• Applications are restricted to current NHS employees only.
• The successful applicant will be expected to work flexibly across multiple organisations and geographical locations. Whilst the role is predominantly remote/home-based, regular travel will be required to participating NHS Trusts, programme meetings, conferences, training venues and partner organisations. Travel to Cambridge will be a routine element of the role, alongside occasional travel to other locations across England.
• The successful applicant will join an ambitious national programme and have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the future implementation of Open Dialogue within NHS mental health services.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Previous applicants need not apply.

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