Project Manager (AMITY Study Manager)

Job summary

We are seeking a Band 7 Study Manager to join the Research & Innovation Team to support a new NIHR funded research project called 'Co-designing an autism assessment and diagnostic consultation process for everybody: AMITY Study' in the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT). The AMITY study is a co-produced project focused on adult autism assessment and diagnostic consultations.

It aims to make these more collaborative, person-centred and clearly communicated. The project combines realist research with a healthcare systems engineering approach to understand what works and co-design practical tools, guidance and implementation-ready outputs. Across three research phases, the study will explore current needs, develop improved consultation approaches, and build lived experience research capacity.

Overall, AMITY aims to make autism assessment more accessible, personalised and equitable for autistic adults and those who support them. This 0.5wte (0.4wte will also be considered) post is funded until 1st September 2028.

The successful candidate will be educated to Masters level or have equivalent significant proven experience implementing complex projects in the NHS. The ideal candidate will have effective problem solving skills as well as excellent planning and organisation skills.

The post will be based at Hellesdon Hospital, Norwich and the expectation is that the postholder may need to travel within the NSFT footprint with potential travel occasionally further afield.

Main duties of the job

You will be helping to support the delivery of a high quality NIHR research project. On a daily basis you will be responsible for all aspects of the research process including but not limited to: engaging with clinical teams, assessing participant suitability for the studies, screening and recruiting research participants, obtaining informed consent, performing study procedures, working with research teams and managing study data.

A crucial aspect of the role is to provide a holistic and person-centred care approach to participants and their family supporters in a respectful, empowering way. It is essential that you can independently plan and prioritise your workload to meet performance targets and deadlines. It is important that you have had experience of working in a clinical or research setting similar to the areas you will be working with in these studies.

A high level of communication skills, both written and oral is essential as well as the ability to be competent in IT systems (e.g. outlook, word), clinical or other record systems relevant to the role.

About us

At Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, inclusion is at the heart of how we work. We are committed to creating a fair, transparent and accessible recruitment process where every candidate has the opportunity to succeed. We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in our workforce, including those from the global majority.

We recognise that not everyone has equal access to opportunities and are working to address this. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and ensuring all candidates receive a positive and equitable experience. Here at NSFT we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, talented, friendly and supportive team who like nothing better than sharing experiences and learning from each other.

In addition to ongoing training and development opportunities, we are committed to providing an environment in which you can thrive. Why work for us? We have challenges as a Trust, but we have ambitious aspirations, are pushing ahead with exciting transformation work and we need dedicated individuals to support us on our journey.

We have strong, established professional networks coupled with an exceptional leadership team who will ensure you are truly cared for and cared about.

Job responsibilities

Provide day-to-day project management and coordination across all three work packages. Develop, maintain and monitor the detailed project plan to ensure milestones, deliverables and timelines are met. Coordinate study activities across the research team, lived experience partners, advisory group members and external collaborators.

Arrange and support meetings, workshops, focus groups and co-design activities, including scheduling, logistics, materials and follow-up actions. Track progress across work packages and report regularly to the Co-Chief Investigators on delivery, risks and emerging issues. Develop and maintain a risk matrix, identifying potential risks to study delivery and supporting early action to address them.

Support governance and research processes, including ethical procedures, consent processes and study documentation, working within Good Clinical Practice requirements. Help ensure research activities are delivered in accessible and inclusive ways, including practical adjustments for participants and contributors. Support recruitment, participant communication, reimbursement processes and coordination of supporter/access needs where required.

Assist with organisation of the Lived Experience Advisory Group, including meetings, training, feedback and ongoing involvement. Maintain accurate project records, action logs and reporting documentation. Support dissemination, knowledge mobilisation and delivery of project outputs in collaboration with the wider team. Please note this advert may close early due to sufficient volume of applications.

Person Specification

Qualifications · Essential

Master level or with equivalent significant proven experience implementing complex projects/change programmes in the NHS

Experience · Essential

Proven track record of project management, service redesign, project evaluation and research

Desirable

NHS/public sector experience and knowledge

Skills · Essential

Excellent planning and organisational skills.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .