Job Description
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Research Project Manager
Research Development & Support Office (RDSO)
Head of Research Development and Collaborations
8
University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath
Job purpose
The Research Project Manager role is responsible for the delivery of non-technical aspects of externally funded research, and research-related, projects. The role also reduces the risk for the University of Bath in terms of increasing compliance with contractual obligations, e.g. communication obligations in Collaboration Agreements.
Examples of other activities to be delivered by this role include; defining business cases for projects, so that everyone knows why the project is running and when to stop it; establishing and maintaining governance structures through professional communication; and ensuring pathways to impact are delivered.
Practically, the set up and closure of projects, and monitoring delivery at key points during the project, are where a Project Manager has most impact. As such, it is expected that the role can manage in the order of four projects at any one time, working with the academic Principal Investigator to manage expectations and peaks and troughs in demand.
Being costed into proposals enacts the role, as such the relationship with the Research
Development Managers in the Research Development & Collaborations team, who help academics develop larger research proposals, is essential. A Principal Investigator with sufficient funds and clarity of need can access the Project Manager role on its own, or in combination with other roles; other roles include Research Project Coordinators, an administrator, and a finance administrator.
Examples of the projects this post will manage are Engineering & Physical Sciences
Research Council (EPSRC) funded Centres for Doctoral Training and a business engagement role as part of a European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) project.
Context
The post will join at a critical time where the University of Bath seeks to grow its research and stimulate larger research collaborations. The need to help those academic teams who require non-technical support is growing. EPSRC alone are committing £600million before April 2013. The TSB is also revising its funding levels against priority areas and presents an opportunity as many overlap well with our research strengths. Further, there is a change coming within EC funding as FP7 comes to a close and Horizon 2020 begins in 2014 with an 18% increase in overall budget.
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The Research Project Management Service is part of the Research Development &
Collaborations Team within the Research Development & Support Office (RDSO).
Source and nature of management provided
Head of Research Development & Collaborations and/or Research Project
Management Service Manager
Staff management responsibility
This role will have both a supervisory role for those staff working for this post holder on projects they manage, and where relevant, line management responsibilities for those staff working for this post holder and who are employed specifically to deliver particular projects.
Special conditions
Has to interface with IP & Legal on detailed contractual matters
Main duties and responsibilities
1 To drive projects forward to meet time, budget and quality expectations, sensitive to knowing when to be assertive and when to be supportive.
2 To establish effective communication structures, channels and tools to maximise the delivery of projects.
3 To ensure that funding and authorisation is in place for projects and to work within agreed budgets.
4 To use project management tools, processes and procedures as required, to ensure that project decisions made are well-informed and justified.
5 At times to manage one or multiple projects depending on the needs of the
Research Development & Collaborations Team.
6 To facilitate beneficial interactions, both internally and externally, with both public and private organisations, engaging at a senior level in all environments; to, where relevant, explore routes to financial sustainability beyond the lifetime of projects, i.e. there may be bid development opportunities relevant to those projects being managed.
7 To ensure that all advice given and developments engaged in fully reflect
University strategy and policies.
8 Wherever possible, to identify or develop and seek to spread viable best practise in project management. To contribute to the development of a project management “toolbox” and support its implementation in the wider community by developing new training opportunities and materials.
9 As required, on a project-by-project basis:
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To engage with the relevant service departments of the University responsible for the projects, ensuring adequate flow of information from
 and to relevant project structures, e.g. Project Boards.
There may be requirements from time to time, to provide administrative assistance to the relevant service departments, e.g., time sheets, meeting minutes etc.
10 To engage with relevant professional services of the University of Bath to ensure adequate flow of information (both ways).
You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature as reasonably required by your line manager.
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Person Specification template
Criteria
Qualifications
Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification
Other relevant qualifications or postgraduate training in project management
PRINCE2 project management qualification
Experience/Knowledge
Extensive experience across a variety of relevant business-related roles.
Proven ability to lead and manage complex projects
Project management in the context of an academic environment
Experience of UK and European research, and structural funding requirements
Broad experience of research management and exploitation of research outcomes
Detailed knowledge of the Higher
Education sector
Experience of working with academic staff
Business development experience
Experience of using Client Relationship
Management software
Skills
Microsoft Project, Excel & Word
Excellent influencing and negotiation skills
Leadership skills to inspire and enthuse project team members and the wider academic community
Skilled at dealing with difficult people and situations
Reporting regularly (oral and written) complex or detailed specialist information in relation to project activity
Attributes
Ability to work to strict deadlines and under pressure, often with diverse and illdefined briefs
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Ability to think strategically and to contribute to strategic direction
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Code: A/F – Application form, I/T – Interview/Test, R - References
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