Job Purpose The Head of Data and Applications will lead on data management and software applications strategy, implementation and governance within the Robertson Centre for Biostatistics (RCB), part of the Glasgow Clinical Trials Unit (GCTU), and will ensure efficient, sustainable and innovative operation of data and applications services across RCB. This includes responsibility for ensuring regulatory compliance and maintenance of relevant accreditation standards across RCB's data and applications activities, and for the efficient planning, delivery and improvement of data governance and application systems provision.
As a key member of both the RCB Executive Team and the RCB Operational Management Group, the Head of Data and Applications is a senior strategic leadership post and will lead on the planning and implementation of innovative, efficient and effective data management systems and robust data governance strategy, and make a significant contribution to the RCB's organisation strategy.
The Head of Data and Applications will provide key support to the Director of Operations and will establish and manage effective collaborative relationships with fellow operational leads within RCB and also more widely with University and GCTU colleagues, representing RCB on relevant committees at local and national level.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Provide leadership across the full range of RCB's data strategy, data management, software developments and information governance activities, including line management responsibility for a team of data management and software development staff. Responsible for ensuring that all activities, policies, procedures and clinical research outputs are fully compliant with the relevant clinical trials and information governance legislation and regulatory standards including UK statutory instruments, European Regulations, ICH Good Clinical Practice and GDPR. Responsible for the successful execution of all regulatory audits/inspections/reviews as they relate to data and applications and for the timely resolution of all relevant audit/inspection/review findings and actions. 2. Lead on the creation, implementation and evolution of a comprehensive data strategy, with the vision to leverage multiple data sources and technology to help RCB achieve its goals and deliver customer-focussed secure data strategy and management solutions, both physical and cloud-based. Identify future challenges and new solutions in the data strategy and digital e-health landscapes, identifying issues and eliminating vulnerabilities, to ensure that RCB remains competitive and financially sustainable. Foster collaborative and synergistic relationships between RCB and other parts of the University (in particular, with the School of Health & Wellbeing, College of MVLS and Central IT Services), including feeding expertise into RCB support for College initiatives in data strategy (e.g. the Living Lab: developing precision medicine innovations). 3. Lead on the strategic development and delivery of robust electronic data collection and data sharing solutions (e.g. on-premise, secure web-based contexts) for use by researchers and patients (including both off-the-shelf and bespoke deployments), including delegation and oversight of application programming and active input to programming and deployment activities at a senior level. Responsible for assessment and selection of data collection software options in driving forward improved, cost-effective and flexible software solutions to RCB's clients and stakeholders. 4. Lead on management and continuous improvement in the full lifecycle of collection, processing and management of research data (including setup, maintenance, validations, change management, coding, quality control, database locking), implementing standardisation of data collection, management and delivery protocols. Implement efficient, effective and secure procedures in support of high quality data provision, control and governance, including devising standardisation of data outputs to statisticians and data analysts, developing and implementing data management metrics reporting for use internally and by relevant external stakeholders, and standardising logging and structuring of data held within controlled repositories. 5. Lead on complex data handling activities, including design and management of the methodology and protocols required in support of data merging, wrangling, pooling and structuring of datasets for research exploration and investigation. 6. Lead on the production of accurate and comprehensive documentation as it relates to data strategy, data governance and software development, including input to research protocols, contracts, patient information sheets, information governance records (e.g. Data Protection Impact Assessments, data controller/processor role assignments, Information Asset Register, Record of Processing Activities) and applications for linkage of data with public datasets. 7. Contribute at a senior level to the development of new costing, budgeting and resource models, particularly as they relate to data strategy, information security and software applications delivery, and support the identification of new sources of funding including grants for infrastructure costs and opportunities for commercial funding. Direct the sourcing and implementation of new software, information management and cloud-based solutions, ensuring optimisation in the delivery of high quality, robust and compliant solutions. 8. Lead on management, implementation and continuous improvement in the software and application infrastructures required for the organisation and control of internal projects co-ordination (e.g. project management, contracts, finance). 9. Contribute at a senior level to the robust quality infrastructures in place within RCB, including key input to its ISO 27001 certification for Information Security and ISO 9001 certification for Quality Management. Responsible for ensuring that RCB's various legal, regulatory and contractual responsibilities with regard to data management, information governance and software development (e.g. data protection, intellectual property, good clinical practice, controller/processor roles, computer systems validation) are fully compliant. Production, review and approval of standard operating procedures and guidelines in support of the Information Security Management System. 10. Collate information and create reports to provide oversight and inform progress against agreed strategies to senior management. Propose relevant key performance indicators and lead on their introduction within Centre processes. Produce comprehensive and impactful bids, reports and presentations for submission to relevant clients, stakeholders and funders. 11. Contribute to the wider operational functions across the Centre by working collaboratively with fellow operational leads to strengthen cross- functional processes, systems and interactions, ensuring effective communication and efficient service delivery. 12. Provide operational and strategic support to and deputise, when required, for the Director of Operations. 13. Duties of the post outlined are not exhaustive and the post-holder is expected to be cooperative and flexible, undertaking such duties as may be reasonably expected. The duties of the post will be subject to review in line with changing requirements, both internal and external.
Line management responsibility
The Head of Data and Applications has line management responsibility for the relevant members of the software development and data management teams, with a commitment to support them in establishing effective line management arrangements for their own teams as applicable.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential: A1 SCQF level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours/post graduate qualification or equivalent plus a broad range of relevant experience at a level appropriate to the responsibilities of the post. A2 Extensive knowledge of the legislation and regulations applying to clinical trials and data governance, including principles of Good Clinical Practice and governance requirements applying to quality management (specifically ISO 9001) and information security (specifically ISO 27001 and GDPR), and including how these translate into local guidance documents (e.g. standard operating procedures, guidelines) and processes (e.g. internal audit, risk management) and governance audit and inspection (e.g. audits and inspections by vendors, sponsors, regulatory bodies (e.g. MHRA), public bodies (e.g. NHS Digital) and ISO certification bodies (e.g. BSI)). A3 Extensive and expert knowledge of data strategy, data governance and information security. A4 Extensive and expert knowledge of software application development in a clinical trials context, including the requirements of computer systems validation (including 21 CRF Part 11 Compliance). A5 Extensive and expert knowledge of data controllership, processing and management.
Skills
Essential: C1 Ability to provide strategic and management leadership across data strategy, data management and software development operations. C2 Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with a diverse range of colleagues and clients in a positive, collaborative and constructive manner taking into account differing priorities and competing interests. C3 Strong ability to lead and manage complex organisational challenges and changes, applying tact and diplomacy in sensitive or contentious issues. C4 Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to produce high quality documents and make formal presentations. C5 Strong organisational skills with the ability to drive multiple projects simultaneously.
Experience
Essential: E1 Leadership and management experience in a research organisation. E2 Experience of leading effective professional teams and building a strong and responsive customer service culture. E3 Extensive experience of managing and governing data in a highly regulated environment, with understanding of relevant statutory frameworks applying to data governance (e.g. data protection, information governance). E4 Extensive experience in software programming, applications development and managing software application systems in a highly regulated environment, including system deployment within a secure web-based context. E5 Experience of working in partnership with senior colleagues to formulate, develop and implement strategies and major projects.
Terms and Conditions Salary will be Grade 9, £57,696 - £64,914 per annum.
This post is full time and open ended.
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared. 2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension, benefits and discount packages. 3 A flexible approach to working. 4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University .
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community here.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https: // www. gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Vacancy Ref : 132908 Close Date : 28-Nov-2023 23:45