Head, Research Delivery India

About The George Institute

The George Institute for Global Health was established in 1999 with a mission to improve the health of millions of people worldwide, particularly underserved populations, by challenging the status quo and using innovative approaches to prevent and treat the world’s biggest killers: non-communicable diseases and injury.

With offices in Australia, China, India and the UK, our 700+ people support 245+ active projects and clinical trials across 50+ countries, with 400+ more staff across our social enterprises. We focus on the global health challenges that cause the greatest loss of life, the greatest impairment of life quality and the most substantial economic burden, particularly in resource-poor settings.

Together with our academic partners, UNSW Sydney in Australia, Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India and Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, we work with a global network of collaborators, undertaking clinical, population and health systems research.

Our experts are among the most cited globally, bestowed accolades for excellence and innovation, and regularly participate in policy fora. Our research is published in leading academic journals, referenced in policy documents, and recognised for its excellence, innovation and impact. We are a designated a WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC) for Injury Prevention & Trauma Care, and a WHO CC for Population Salt Reduction. Since 1999, we have raised more than $1 billion for research and produced over 10,000 peer-reviewed publications and other academic outputs.

What we do

• Lead world-class, large-scale clinical trials, epidemiological studies and health systems research to transform treatments and healthcare delivery
• Look beyond single diseases, across the life course, to identify patient-centred approaches to care that can be implemented at scale
• Develop low-cost, innovative solutions to global unmet needs
• Drive our global impact through a program of research, advocacy, thought leadership and disruptive social entrepreneurship

For more information about The George Institute, visit www.georgeinstitute.org.

The George Institute India

The George Institute, a wholly owned legal not-for-profit Indian research institute, has been conducting research related activities in India since 2002. The George Institute India’s mission mirrors that of the parent organization, namely the discovery and implementation of solutions to chronic and disabling health problems through research, policy development and capacity building.

A number of large-scale projects in population, health systems and clinical research, funded by a diverse group of sponsors, both public and private, are conducted in India. The George Institute India comprises two distinct operating groups: Research and Development, and Infrastructure and Resources. It has two separate offices - in Hyderabad and New Delhi, where the research staff and senior management are based.

Context of the Role  

The Centre for Operational and Research Excellence (CORE) is dedicated to developing and delivering solutions and services that empower the Institute’s researchers to achieve high-impact and high-quality research outcomes. In response to the Institute’s expanding research portfolio and the increasingly complex external environment, CORE has undergone a significant restructure. The new operating model comprises three pillars: a strategic partnering function, a design and development of solutions function, and a regional research delivery function. The position has a significant role in the “research delivery” function and contributes to the function’s overarching responsibility to design and develop new or improved solutions and services to drive excellence and efficiency across all research activities conducted by TGI with a focus on scientific and operational innovation.

The Role

The Head, Research Delivery India will hold a leadership role within CORE, with overarching responsibility for the oversight, design and development of innovative solutions relevant to the Institute’s research operations in India

Reporting Relationships

This position reports to the Director of CORE with a functional reporting line to the Executive Director, India. The incumbent will form part of the global CORE Leadership Group.

The following positions are expected to report directly to this role:

• Head of Statistics and Data Management, India
• Head of Project Operations, India
• Research Manager, Research Strategy and Services, India

Duties and Key Responsibilities

Strategic

• Collaborate with other CORE leaders including the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Commissioned Research, India; Director of Research Operations; the Director of Research Innovation; and the Head of Quality Assurance, to ensure cohesive leadership across all three CORE functions.
• Implement operational strategies in India that align with and support CORE’s overarching strategic objectives.
• Working closely with the CORE Design and Innovation teams, stay abreast of emerging research methodologies, technologies, and data science advancements to enhance study designs and operational practices
• Actively engage with teams and stakeholders across TGI India project sites, ensuring regular and meaningful interactions to foster collaboration, address concerns, and support team development.
• In collaboration with Human Resources, facilitate efforts to build capacity within the research delivery teams, focusing on skill development, training, and knowledge sharing.
• Identify and develop leadership potential within the teams, ensuring a steady progression of talent.

Service delivery

• Oversee and lead research service delivery in India with a focus on supporting academic project operations, statistics and data management, and research services.
• Deliver high quality solutions & services to researchers working in India with a high degree of satisfaction
• Cultivate cross-functional collaboration to drive process standardisation while appropriately localising solutions and services in each region
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by identifying gaps in current research operations and implementing robust solutions and ensuring standard operating procedures are regularly reviewed and fit for purpose.
• Support research service delivery for external academic groups in India, nurturing solid partnerships and sitting on relevant governance and operational committees.

Quality assurance and risk management

• Working closely with the CORE Quality Assurance team, drive the standardisation of research processes to enhance consistency, quality, and compliance with regulatory standards
• Ensure maintenance of high quality project data in the SPOT database
• Identify and manage risks to support projects, implementing robust escalation protocols and support mechanisms to maintain operational continuity and research quality.
• Ensure all team projects are delivered in accordance with TGI requirements, procedures, processes, and within ethical guidelines
• Ensure legal compliance (including compliance with India regulations)

As a Team Member:

• Participate in special projects to improve processes, tools, systems and organisation;
• Take responsibility for personal learning and development and for setting achievable and meaningful work objectives and managing personal targets, meeting obligations of The Institute’s Performance Management and Development Policy;
• Demonstrate commitment to The Institute’s organisational values, including performing to an exceptionally high ethical standard and focus on integrity, collaboration and teamwork in all efforts.

As a Team Manager:

• Ensure direct reports understand and comply with GI’s Policies and procedures, standard operating practices, ethical practice (with respect to research) and the legislative environment.
• Be responsible for managing performance of direct reports, including the completion of plans and agreeing on work and personal objectives and reviewing such plans and objectives, in accordance with GI’s Performance Management and Development Policy.
• Act as a role model and ensure the team’s commitment to GI’s values, ensuring direct reports perform to a high ethical standard and focus on integrity, collaboration and teamwork in all efforts.

Work, Health and Safety

• Comply with Work Health and Safety legislation and operate in accordance with established Occupational Health and Safety practice and procedures at the Institute;
• Promote and contribute to a safe, secure environment for staff and visitors.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Management, Life Sciences, or a related discipline

• At least 8-10 years of relevant experience in global leadership roles within research service delivery or a similar field
• Extensive experience in managing global research operations, clinical trials, or similar large-scale projects
• Demonstrated ability to manage organisational change through clear communication, strong leadership, and adaptability to guide the organisation smoothly through transitions.
• Proven track record of developing and executing operational strategies that align with organisational goals
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and develop diverse teams
• Ability to develop and prioritise comprehensive operational strategies
• Proficiency in overseeing complex projects and ensuring their successful completion
• Understanding of ethical, legal, and regulatory standards in global and India specific research operations
• Capability to integrate innovative solutions and address operational challenges

• Demonstrates exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively convey information, ideas, and feedback across all levels of the organisation.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the flexibility to work effectively both independently, in small teams, and with a diverse array of stakeholders.
• Ability to see the bigger picture, yet still focus on detail
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in the face of changing organisational priorities and ambiguous environments.
• Flexibility to work non-standard hours of work for collaboration and contact with global teams based on requirements of the position
• Ability to travel across TGI’s office locations

For more details, please see the Position Description for this role.

How to apply:

Interested candidates should send their resume with full contact details, current and expected CTC/salary. Clearly mentioning the job title “Head, Research Delivery India” in the subject line to hrindia@georgeinstitute.org.in by the 04 July 2025.

Our big and bold mission to improve the health of millions of people worldwide needs a diverse and innovative team to deliver it.  So we foster a dynamic, inclusive and flexible workplace where each individual can bring their best selves to work.

Everyone is encouraged to apply, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with a disability, people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, and mature-aged adults.