InFrame Research Culture Project Manager

Job Purpose

To manage the shaping and operational delivery of a large-scale multi-partner Research Culture project: ‘InFrame’ (Inclusive Framework for Research Leadership) situated in the Research Services Directorate. The post holder will contribute to shaping the project, lead on the operational delivery and manage the project team.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1      Working in partnership with the InFrame Project Lead at Glasgow (Head of Research Culture & Researcher Development), develop, gain agreement on, and deliver a project management plan for the project including plans for operational, risk, budgetary and administrative and people management. This will include determining and tracking key project progress and performance indicators and complying with the monitoring and evaluation requirements of the funder. Ensuring all project leads are consulted as required.

2      Build strong relationships with key people, teams, communities and networks across the three partner universities, the Project Team, and the Strategic Advisory Group working productively across different levels, job families, and management structures, and with key external partners.

3      Support recruitment and matrix management of the 13 members of the Project Team (directly line-managing a team of three people), coordinating individual and cross-university team activity in the short and long-term, securing resources, building capability and adherence to project aims, sector drivers and delivery objectives. Keeping abreast of the implications of project interdependencies. Identify gaps in capability, monitor individual progress, and innovate in response to emerging needs.

4      Support the team Finance Manager’s work to oversee the smooth operation of processes for transferring funds between partner universities and ensure appropriate records are maintained for the financial management of the grant in line with all three partner Universities' Financial Regulations

5      Ensure compliance of the project with national policy and guidance e.g. the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, and the Technician Commitment as well as local policies and strategies related to the engagement, support and development of university staff and postgraduate students across three universities.

6      Be accountable for the management of Project Board meetings, Strategic Advisory Group meetings, and offer expert advice and intel to the Institutional Research Culture Leads and Events Lead, to support organising a busy programme of planned meetings and events.

7      Identify, gather and analyse available data from a range of sources, to inform the ongoing project management plan and support the Evaluation Manager to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives within individual work packages. Work with the Community Knowledge Analysts to identify trends and provide analysis and insight, through regular reporting of outcomes, impact, and areas for enhancement to the Project Board and Strategic Advisory Group. Supported by the Project Lead, be responsible for the preparation of reports to Wellcome, and other stakeholders.

8      Communicate clearly with all relevant sponsors, stakeholders and communities. Work with the Community Knowledge Manager to ensure ongoing consultation and management of expectations with relevant stakeholders. Report to the project board to ensure clear understanding of project status and any emerging risks or issues.

9      Ensure that the project’s mission is shared, understood and supported through consistent collation/storage of relevant data and supporting information and the regular updating of status reports and portfolio web pages.

10 Work as an engaged team player who is cooperative, communicative and builds trust and the support of colleagues and partners through respectful collaboration and building consensus.

11 Proactively identify, undertake, and share opportunities for ongoing professional development, both for yourself and for colleagues in the Project Team.

12 Represent and champion the work and interests of the Project at meetings, external groups, conferences, and seminars to keep up to date with developments and gain and share across the team information/knowledge of best working practices in the higher education context.

13 Perform other duties as requested, consistent with the grade level of the position and agreeing appropriate prioritisation of work with line management or other relevant stakeholders as needed.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications 

Essential  

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9,10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).

A2 Authoritative knowledge of work practices and/or professional guidelines relevant to the personal and professional development of researchers, technical staff and research professionals within the UK, including broad sector awareness.

A3 Authoritative / thorough knowledge / understanding of project management techniques tools and methodologies and their application in a research environment.

A4 Authoritative knowledge of project management and team communications software applications.

Desirable  

B1 PhD.

B2 Formal project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE 2).

B3 A working knowledge of University policies and procedures.

Skills

Essential  

C1 An appropriate level of gravitas, sector insight and credibility to represent the collaborative project and to drive projects to deliver their stated objectives.

C2 Ability to develop and implement multi-year project plans with multiple dependencies.

C3 Ability to plan and manage complex projects including where the activity requires coordination across several internal and external partners, with an effective solution-focussed collaborative approach.

C4 Relationship management skills. Builds and maintains relationships at multiple levels within the collaboration, negotiating as required to ensure long term benefits.

C5 The ability to engage and communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels within and outside the University.

C6 Ability to interpret the requirements of external and internal stakeholders and make use of data to deliver innovative approaches and ensure results.

C7 Ability to negotiate and influence colleagues to take appropriate action in response to funder requirements or stakeholder feedback.

C8 Team leadership and management skills, including communication of vision, strategy, standards and requirements, and ability to support others in their professional development.

C9 Excellent time and workload management skills including the ability to prioritise, delegate and support others to prioritise in parallel and under conflicting pressures.

C10 High level of competence with a range of computerised systems, databases and data sources to support project management; improve team communications, information and data dissemination.

Desirable  

D1 Ability to act independently and to exercise initiative and judgement in the planning and managing expenditure of budgets.

D2 Ability to analyse financial data and provide management information with a high degree of accuracy.

Experience

Essential  

E1 Professional experience gained though a similar or number of different specialist roles in a research environment in a complex organisation.

E2 Proven ability to manage multiple collaborative projects involving large numbers of stakeholders across an institution to tight deadlines.

E3 Experience of providing high calibre team leadership and direction within a complex multi-stakeholder high profile context

E4 Experience of leading and managing a team of professionals either direct line management or matrix management.

E5 Experience of developing and implementing innovative project plans.

E6 Experience in data manipulation and presentation.

E7 Experience in project evaluation and monitoring.

Desirable  

F1 Research experience.

F2 Practical experience of managing researcher development/culture strategy across a research-intensive Higher Education Institution.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £48,350 - £56,021 per annum. This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and fixed term for 30 months.

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.