Job Description
Basic Information
Salary
£43k - £52k per
annum
Date posted
2nd November
2015
Job Title
Programme Manager
Contract Duration
Initial 12 month contract or
secondment
Location
Alan Turing Institute (ATI), British Library, London
Employment Status
All applicants must already have the right to work in the UK
Interview Date
w/c 7th December
2015
Location
British Library,
London
Background
Announced by UK Government in 2014, the creation of The Alan Turing Institute (ATI) will
build upon and focus the nation’s expertise in advanced mathematics, computer science,
algorithms and big data on a global scale, and will bring together the best minds in these fields
to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of research in Data Sciences. Named in honour of
the WWII code breaker who is recognised as a national hero and the father of modern
computer science, the Institute will allow the country to leverage its fundamental research into
Data Sciences for the improvement of human knowledge, wealth and wellbeing.
The Alan Turing Institute will be the legal employer and is a company limited by guarantee
with six joint venture members (The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
and Universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh, Oxford, Warwick and UCL). The ATI represents an
entirely original initiative underpinned by world leading academic excellence, and is unique in
bringing together academia, industry and government on such a national scale.
Strategically located within the British Library, the Institute will play a key part in the
development of London’s new Knowledge Quarter and will sit alongside establishments
dedicated to knowledge extension and exploitation. The Institute will also benefit from strong
linkages to each of the Joint Venture (JV) Members and strong collaborative relationships with
other centres of excellence, nationally and internationally, providing access to key
infrastructure, collaborations and industry, and thereby transferring its commercial innovation
to the rest of the country.
The Alan Turing Institute now seek to appoint a Programme Manager who will support the
Institute in becoming a global leader into the analysis and application of data science and
algorithm research, through the delivery of a unique joint programme between the ATI and the
Lloyds Register Foundation (LRF).
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ATI/LRF Programme Overview
Big data represents a fundamental paradigm shift and a unique opportunity for engineeringrelated research, training and education — the support of which is central to the vision and
charitable mission of the LRF. Working together with the newly created ATI, which will focus
the best minds in the fields of advanced mathematics, computer science, algorithms and big
data on a global scale, the LRF will be uniquely positioned to provide intellectual leadership in
the emerging field of data-centric engineering. The ATI/LRF programme is a 5-year £10M
investment which aims to develop data science tools and methods which will lead to the
enhancement the safety, reliability and performance of the major infrastructure on which
modern society relies.
Organisational Position
ATI Director
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ATI-LRF Programme Director
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Programme Manager
Job Purpose
The post holder will oversee, plan and organise all the activities and functions in a large funded
programme. They will coordinate and support a multi-disciplinary team, involving partners from
across the five academic Joint Venture members and other leading industry organisations, within a
project team of up to 20 members.
The post holder will organise the programme start-up activities and subsequently, ongoing project
management of the successful grant award. Coordinate the interaction between the ATI/LRF
programme, national and international partners that comprise ATI JV partners and external research
partners.
Key Activities
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Oversee major research, training and knowledge exchange programme initiatives,
ensuring they are managed to business requirements, specification, time and budget.
Perform strategic project resources planning and financial analysis, including assisting
in preparation of budgets, to include staffing and operational needs.
Provide day-to-day support to the Principal Investigator assisting in the implementation
of management standards.
Ensure that all documentation has been completed and there is a smooth handover to
maintenance and support at the end of a project undertaken within the programme.
Organise programme board meetings, programme management meetings as well as
required scientific and other stakeholder workshops and summits, as needs arise.
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Direct the communication of programme information and status to all relevant parties,
providing early warning and escalation of potential/serious problems to project boards
and associated management.
Liaise with the LRF Management Team and ATI JV Partners.
Take the lead in maintaining effective relationships with existing academic
collaborators and develop links with new research partners e.g. international.
Routinely monitor all activities, review project risks, issues and progress, taking action
as necessary to ensure minimum impact on programme deadlines.
Coordinate completion of Project Documentation by relevant Project Staff.
Work with the ATI Communications Team to develop powerful case studies,
highlighting successful outputs and outcomes of the programme.
Maintain records that provide for the proper evaluation, control and documentation of
assigned activities.
Organise the recruitment of assigned project research staff ensuring timely use of
resources, including office space management.
Monitor and stay abreast of technological, legal and operational changes.
Perform complex administrative duties requiring oversight, attention to detail and
analysis.
Work with LRF and other funding sponsors and research partners to ensure
programme portfolio is visibly relevant and integrated into current strategies and
policies.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key ATI staff in order to
organise efficient and effective resources for the project teams.
Co-ordinate the administration of the research staff, doctoral students and a visitor
programme.
To organise events, including research collaboration meetings, roadmapping
workshops and seminars, and appropriate publicity for the projects. Act as a primary
contact point for all internal and external partners.
Provide administrative and organisational support to the relevant research staff.
Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by line manager,
programme director or Institute Director.
To observe and comply with all Institute policies and regulations – the post may require
the post holder, working with other Alan Turing Institute staff, to develop or refine
particular policies, based on the application of best practice gathered from the JV
partners.
This job description is written at a specific time and is subject to change as the demands of
the business and the role develops. The role requires flexibility and adaptability and the post
holder needs to be aware that they may be asked to perform tasks and be given
responsibilities not detailed in this job description.
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Working Relationships
Reporting to (job title):
ATI/LRF Programme Director
Number of employees & job titles reporting into this role:
None
Internal
External
Programme Principal Investigator
Programme Management Team
Programme Board
Director ATI
ATI Researchers and Headquarters staff
(Office Manager, Funding and Development
Manager, etc.)
Admin Support Team
Lloyds Register Foundation
University JV Partners
Other stakeholders, as appropriate (e.g.
industry, charities, government
departments, funding agencies, etc.)
Equality and Diversity
The Alan Turing Institute’s policy and practice ensures that all staff are afforded equal opportunities
within employment. Employment with the Institute and progression within employment will be
determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of
each particular post. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. Subject
to statutory provisions, no applicant or member of staff will be treated less favourably than another
because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or
maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
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Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
ESSENTIAL
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Degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline, or equivalent level of professional
qualifications and/or experience
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Exceptional project management and organisational skills combined with a strong attention
to detail
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Experience of facilitating workshops and conferences
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Proven experience of stakeholder management, project planning and dissemination
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Experience of translating research and policy requirements into a defined project
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Proven team building and motivational skills
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Experience of developing and managing large multi-disciplinary projects, involving external
and internal partners
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Previous experience of liaising with external bodies including industry
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Proven experience of successful risk management
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Experience of the production and analysis of statistics and reports
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Demonstrate solid writing, editing and presentation ability.
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Diplomatic, able to negotiate and to apply judgement in often complex areas.
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Ability to demonstrate initiative in identifying areas for change or development and to
manage competing demands and pressures whilst remaining calm.
Ability to manage the change that is required with the introduction of new systems and
procedures
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Comfortable with the full project lifecycle, best practice and quality standards
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Ability to communicate effectively and clearly with a wide range of people
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Ability to work well as part of a team and balance need, risk and pragmatism when
developing solutions
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Good analytical skills demonstrated by a structured and methodical approach
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Ability to prioritise and manage multiple and varied activities simultaneously, as well as the
ability to perform effectively under pressure
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Ability to bring discussions to a decision-making end
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Must be able to travel nationally and internationally occasionally, as necessary, and to work
evening and weekend hours as required.
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Ability to work in Microsoft Office environment, with strong skills in MS Excel.
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DESIRABLE
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Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject (mathematical, computing and engineering
sciences)
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Experience in grant writing, monitoring and evaluating proposals.
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Prince II or equivalent project management qualification.
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Keenness and quickness in understanding and dealing with a business situation in a manner
that is likely to lead to a good outcome.
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Previous experience in a similar role.
Benefits tbc
Document Control
Programme Manager V 1.2 October 2015
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