Director of Research Operations - Global Clinical Programme

Job Description

Location: London

Working Pattern: 3–4 days per week on-site

Contract: 3-year fixed-term contract, with review and renewal after three years and potential for further extension.

Please note before applying: A PhD is required, along with significant leadership experience in complex research environments and experience managing large teams.

BioTalent are partnered with a major UK research institution launching one of the most ambitious population health studies currently underway.

They are building the operational leadership team for a large international research programme focused on maternal and early childhood health. This initiative brings together world-leading clinicians, AI researchers, healthcare organisations and industry partners to study the health outcomes of 60,000 participants across multiple countries.

This is a rare opportunity to take on a Chief Operating Officer role within a research programme that sits at the intersection of clinical science, artificial intelligence and public health.

The role

The COO will lead the operational delivery of the programme and build the governance, regulatory and management structures required to run a complex international consortium. Working closely with the programme director and senior research leaders, you will coordinate partners across universities, healthcare systems and commercial organisations, ensuring that the programme operates effectively and delivers against its scientific goals.

Key responsibilities

• Lead operational management of a multi-partner international research programme

• Establish governance structures and regulatory frameworks across participating countries

• Coordinate programme milestones, workstreams and delivery timelines

• Oversee financial planning, budgeting and reporting across the consortium

• Manage relationships with academic, clinical and industry partners

• Direct programme operations teams and coordinate a wider matrix team of researchers and operational staff

• Ensure compliance with ethical and regulatory frameworks across all participating organisations

Who this role suits

This role will suit someone who has previously managed large-scale clinical research programmes or global studies and understands the operational complexity of running multi-partner scientific initiatives.

Candidates typically come from backgrounds such as:

• Large academic research programmes

• International clinical trials operations

• Research funding organisations

• Global public health research initiatives

Why someone would move

• Opportunity to lead operations for one of the UK’s largest health research programmes

• Work alongside globally recognised academic and clinical leaders

• Influence the delivery of research that could reshape maternal and early childhood health outcomes

• Senior leadership position with real strategic impact