Senior Legal Services Manager (Data and Research)

NHS
Senior Legal Services Manager (Data and Research)

RM is currently looking to recruit a Senior Legal Services Manager (Data and Research) who will be able to advise, co-ordinate and assist Research and Development and study teams on all contractual arrangements, and data related matters with research studies. The Senior Legal Services Manager (Data and Research) will be legally qualified, with a strong background in contract/ commercial law and/or information governance law, with significant practical experience of successfully drafting, negotiating, and completing commercial contracts, preferably in a research setting and advising on associated complex data arrangements. The Senior Legal Services Assistant (Data and Research) will be a good communicator and will report to the Head of Legal. The post is based at our offices in Chelsea with the option to adopt a hybrid model and work flexibly from home for part of the week.

Applicants will be assessed against the criteria listed in the job specification and we currently anticipate that successful candidates will be asked to attend an interview in person at our Chelsea office.

Main duties of the job

1. Assist the other Senior Legal Services Managers (Research) in all aspects of the research contracting function at the Trust, including review and negotiation of all associated research study agreements, working alongside and advising Research and Development (R&D) and the Finance Department.
2. Lead and take responsibility for the proper review and negotiation of agreements with a data protection focus including ensuring compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR, UK Data Protection Act and other relevant legislation.
3. Provide legal and contractual expertise in navigating complex data protection requirements, particularly in the context of international data sharing agreements and compliance with global data privacy standards, ensuring the Trust maintains high standards in data handling, security, and ethical use of patient data in clinical research.
4. Assist in the evaluation and implementation of safeguards for data security within the scope of research studies, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information.
5. Assist the Head of Legal Services as required and provide support to the wide Legal Services Team.

About us

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That’s why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will play a key role in service development and service delivery and will ensure the following:

1. Together with the other Senior Legal Service Managers (Research), oversee the management and development of the Research Legal Services (the Service) and ensure that the service provides competent and effective information governance and contracting support to the Research and Development (R&D) department and research teams.
2. Ensure competent and effective review and drafting of non-standard clinical trial agreements, non-disclosure agreements, material transfer agreements, data sharing and processing agreements, service level agreements, contracts for service, template documents, and other research related documentation with a strong focus on data protection compliance.

Person Specification Education/Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in life sciences or law
• Post graduate qualification in legal practice including Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) or equivalent
• Significant contracts experience at a senior level
• Masters in Law

Experience

• Significant practical experience in the application of data protection law in the context of contract/commercial law, and contract management
• Drafting, reviewing and concluding contractual agreements such as clinical trial agreements and associated agreements
• Experience of successful contract negotiation with external partners
• Leadership of service reviews and advising on the administrative support and systems needed to deliver an effective service
• Proven ability to maintain prolonged periods of concentration whilst reviewing complex legal documentation
• Proven ability to process and manage complex, critical legal data and information within secure and systematic processes

Skills Abilities/knowledge

• Comprehensive understanding of international data protection laws and standards, with practical experience in data security and privacy
• Proven ability to identify and address complex data-sharing challenges in clinical research or equivalent settings
• Practical ability to manage the legal risk associated with research studies
• Ability to communicate verbally in a polite, clear and effective way both face to face and by phone
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills; an ability to exercise tact and sensitivity with staff at all levels and external stakeholders including members of the public, patients and their carers
• Ability to negotiate and resolve issues / areas of difference
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain a positive approach
• Excellent customer care skills, with the ability to listen effectively and communicate with a wide range of people face to face, on the telephone, electronically and on paper
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to make decisions, prioritise own workload and act on own initiative
• Methodical, organised approach to work, with good attention to detail
• Excellent timekeeping, with the ability to multi-task and manage priorities, to work within strict timescales
• Ability to maintain, update and improve efficient administrative systems and processes
• Knowledge of research studies and applicable regulatory and guidance, such as Good Clinical Practice

Other Requirements

• Flexibility to meet the needs of the service (e.g. shift work)
• Able to work on both sites and to be flexible to meet the needs of the role

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.