Job PurposeThe role will be responsible for ensuring that data and applications services remain efficient, sustainable, secure and compliant throughout this transformation, while maintaining delivery of operational commitments, service levels and organisational key performance indicators. As a senior strategic leader, the postholder will oversee multidisciplinary teams responsible for data management and software development activities, ensuring alignment of technology investments and delivery models with organisational strategy and future clinical trials requirements.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 Responsibilities1. Provide operational leadership across RCB's data management, software applications and information governance functions, including line management responsibility for senior managers and specialist staff within the data management and software development teams. Lead organisational planning, prioritisation and resource allocation to ensure delivery of agreed objectives, service levels and key performance indicators during periods of significant technological and organisational change.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 cloudbased. 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. TRE, Research Data Strategy etc).3. Lead the planning, governance and delivery of major digital transformation initiatives across RCB, ensuring effective change management, stakeholder engagement, risk management and business continuity throughout implementation. Monitor performance against agreed objectives and ensure that operational and regulatory requirements continue to be met during periods of transition.4. Lead the development of future operating models for Data Management and Software Development services, ensuring that organisational structures, roles, skills and resources evolve appropriately to support technological transformation, operational efficiency and long-term sustainability.5. Lead the operational development, implementation and governance of RCB's electronic data capture and clinical trial applications portfolio, including the adoption and optimisation of OpenClinica and oversight of bespoke application services. Ensure effective integration between platforms through secure and compliant interfaces and APIs, enabling efficient data flows and supporting evolving clinical trial requirements. Lead the assessment, selection and implementation of technology solutions that deliver value, scalability, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.6. 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.7. 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.8. 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.9. 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.10. 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).11. 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.12. 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.13. 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.14. Provide operational and strategic support to and deputise, when required, for the Director of Operations.15. 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 responsibilityThe Head of Data and Applications has line management responsibility for the senior members of the software development and data management teams, with a commitment to support them in effective line management arrangements for their own teams as applicable.Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and ExperienceKnowledge & QualificationsEssential: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 clinical trial technologies, electronic data capture platforms, software application lifecycles and systems integration, including governance requirements for computer systems validation, 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, data security and regulatory compliance within clinical research environments.A5 Extensive and expert knowledge of data controllership, processing and management.Desirable:B1 Degree qualification in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems or a related technical discipline.B2 Professional certification or training in software development methodologies, cloud technologies, database management, enterprise architecture or data engineering.B3 Knowledge of modern software development practices and frameworks, including Agile delivery methodologies, DevOps principles, continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD), version control and software quality assurance.B4 Knowledge of cloud-based data platforms and services relevant to clinical research environments.SkillsEssential:C1 Ability to provide strategic leadership and operational management across data management, information governance and software applications functions, including leading organisational transformation, technology adoption and service improvement programmes.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 qualitydocuments and make formal presentations.C5 Strong organisational skills with the ability to drive multiple projects simultaneously.Desirable:D1 Ability to provide strategic oversight of software architecture, database design and data integration solutions, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and regulatory requirements.D2 Ability to interpret and critically review technical specifications, software development proposals, database designs and systems architecture documentation.D3 Ability to use SQL and data analysis tools sufficiently to interrogate datasets, validate outputs and support decision-making, performance monitoring and service improvement activities.D4 Strong understanding of data lifecycle management principles, including data quality, metadata management, data migration and data retention strategies.D5 Ability to communicate effectively with technical specialists and translate complex technical concepts into clear business-focused recommendations for senior stakeholders.ExperienceEssential: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 leading and managing teams responsible for software engineering, application development, systems integration and technology delivery within highly regulated environments. Demonstrable technical knowledge sufficient to provide strategic oversight of software architecture, system implementation, vendor management, data security, systems integration and governance, without necessarily undertaking hands-on software development activities.E5 Experience of working in partnership with senior colleagues to formulate, develop and implement strategies and major projects.E6 Extensive experience leading major technology transformation programmes, including implementation of enterprise software platforms, management of organisational change and maintenance of operational performance, service delivery and regulatory compliance throughout periods of significant transition.E7 Experience of managing relationships with software vendors and external technology partners, including contract management, service governance and performance monitoring.Desirable:F1 Experience of overseeing software development teams delivering bespoke web-based applications, particularly within research, healthcare, life sciences or regulated environments.F2 Experience of working with relational database management systems (e.g. SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL) and supporting database governance, optimisation or reporting activities.F3 Experience of leading or supporting data migration, systems integration or application modernisation projects.F4 Experience of implementing or governing application programming interfaces (APIs), data exchange standards and interoperability solutions.F5 Experience of working with cloud-hosted applications, infrastructure or data platforms.F6 Experience of managing technical teams responsible for software development, database administration, data engineering or platform support.F7 Experience of introducing software development governance frameworks, including code review, release management, testing and validation processes.Informal enquiries may be directed to John Petrie, Director of Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, at ##### and ConditionsThis post is full time and open ended.Working hours are normally Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, with a one-hour lunch break. There is a requirement to work in the CTU offices on the Gilmorehill campus a minimum of 50% of the working week. We are open to either remote working or on campus working for the other 50% of the week (hybrid working offered on a non-contractual basis).As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.Terms and ConditionsSalary will be Grade 9, 59,966 - 67,468 per annum.Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.This post is full time and open ended.Working hours are normally Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, with a one-hour lunch break. There is a requirement to work in the CTU offices on the Gilmorehill campus a minimum of 50% of the working week. We are open to either remote working or on campus working for the other 50% of the week (hybrid working offered on a non-contractual basis).  All applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK or be eligible to obtain permission to work in the UK.This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, subject to meeting the relevant Home Office requirements, including any applicable tradeable points criteria. Further information can be found on the  University of Glasgow’s UKVI Website.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 - pensions handbook 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  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 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 for more information.Closing date: 23:45 on Tuesday 29th September 2026Discipline(s): Management Professional & AdministrativeJob type: Recruit (Replace Same Grade)