Business Manager

Purpose

To manage research support activities to ensure their effective and efficient delivery across the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit (SPHSU).

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Review and streamline SPHSU systems and procedures, prepare strategic policy/business papers and reports, and where appropriate introduce new arrangements based on best practice (e.g. coordination of the Programme Leaders’ and other Principal Investigators’ annual research reporting requirements including Researchfish). Ensure Unit processes are compliant with relevant research governance and University regulations.

2. Lead on future planning of SPHSU services, including server and data management and potential transfer of these to the University.

3. Coordinate the development and contribute to the writing of funding applications by SPHSU’s Principal Investigators, helping them to submit strong proposals to key funders.

4. Embed knowledge and practice in the use of business processes and systems through regular training of staff and business briefings.

5. Provide executive support for the Unit Director across various areas, including preparing and drafting presentations and meeting notes, and following up action points when required.

6. Lead on relevant operational duties to ensure efficient research support service provision.

7. Lead the Unit’s multi-disciplinary resources to manage and mitigate risks in line with University of Glasgow and funder assurance processes.

8. Review and develop a strategic approach to maximising and measuring the impact of SPHSU’s research (publications, presentations, public engagement and knowledge transfer) and monitor progress against KPIs for funder reporting.

9. Coordinate the return of the Unit’s funder assurance statement.

10. Manage the Unit’s risk register and business continuity plan.

11. Work with the Unit’s Director, Research Manager and senior leadership team, providing additional resource/support when required.

12. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s strategic plan.

13. Undertake any additional duties as required by the Unit Director and Programme Leaders.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 Relevant Degree/postgraduate qualification, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role.

A2 Extensive knowledge of a range of IT systems.

Desirable

B1 Knowledge of the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit and understanding of the context in which the Unit operates (funding, organisational, governance context).

Skills

Essential

C1 Ability to organise resources, plan, motivate and support teams to achieve objectives.

C2 Excellent operational, risk management and organisational skills.

C3 Demonstrably excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

C4 Proven ability to liaise and cooperate with people across organisational boundaries.

C5 Leadership and motivational skills in formal and informal situations.

C6 Effective negotiation and diplomacy skills.

C7 Effective writing and communication skills to produce clear all-staff communications, presentations and strategic reports for the Unit Director.

Experience

Essential

E1 Relevant professional/management experience in a similar or related role.

E2 Experience of supporting the development of research funding applications.

E3 Experience of and ability to build and proactively manage excellent relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

E4 Experience of monitoring and reviewing processes with the ability to challenge the status quo effectively and develop innovative approaches.

E5 Experience and knowledge of working in a health or social science research environment.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £48,350 - £56,021 per annum, pro rata.

This post is offered on a part time (28 hours) basis with funding to 31 March 2025 in the first instance.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit:https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

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 - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

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 https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ 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.