IMPERIAL COLLEGE BUSINESS SCHOOL
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Doctoral Programme Manager
Faculty:
Business School
Grade:
Professional Services, Level 4
Responsible to:
Doctoral Programme
Operating Officer
Line
Management
responsibility
for:
Director,
Faculty
Doctoral Programme Coordinator
Key Working Relationships (internal):
Deputy Principal Research and Business
Engagement, Exams and Timetabling Team,
Marketing and Student Recruitment Team,
Alumni Team, Career and Professional
Development team, Web Team, E-learning
team, Finance Team, College Scholarships
Office, College Research Degrees office.
Key Working Relationships (external):
Research Councils, collaboration with other
London Colleges
Campus location:
South Kensington
The Purpose of the Post
This position reports to the Programme Director to ensure the professional and efficient
delivery of the Doctoral Programme, to manage day-to-day delivery, to line manage the
Programme Coordinator and to work with other relevant teams across the Business School
and Imperial College to ensure a quality experience for the students on the Programme. The
post plays a key role in defining and implementing the strategy for the Programme and raising
the Programme profile both internally and externally.
Key Responsibilities
Management
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Support delivery of the MRes and Doctoral Programmes Strategy as approved by the
School’s Management Board
To ensure efficient, timely and smooth running of the Programmes, leading and managing
change according to the needs and priorities of the School and College
Take a leadership role in trouble-shooting issues arising from the Programmes
Be an active member of the School’s management team, participate in cross School
initiatives, and represent the Programme at the Business School Operations and other
Committee meetings
Manage integrated communications to students
Manage and develop the Doctoral Programme Coordinator
Ensure that the College’s Codes of Practice as related to the Doctoral Programme are
understood, communicated and implemented.
Ensure that all administrative processes are designed and delivered optimally and that full
documentation is in place
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Ensure that appropriate and effective contingency and business continuity plans and
provision are in place to ensure continued delivery of the Programmes, including in a
pandemic scenario
Work with the Facilities team to ensure the availability of appropriate high quality study
space accommodation
Manage and have an overview of the Graduate Teaching Assistant system and keep a
skills database which can be accessed in support of the School’s taught programmes
Ensure that all visiting lecturers are on the correct contracts and are paid in the right way
Induct and support new, visiting and temporary academic staff.
Manage the administration and reporting of student bursaries in conjunction with the
Business School Finance Office, Research Office and external partners, including
research councils.
Strategic Planning
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Lead annual reviews and planning processes ensuring the continual improvement and
refinement of the delivery and timetabling of the MRes and Doctoral Programmes
Work with the Programme Director and Associate Dean of Faculty and Research to
improve and develop the structure and content of the Programmes
Work with the Programme Director and Associate Dean of Faculty and Research to
identify new Programme opportunities
Support the Programme Director to secure status as an ESRC Doctoral Training Centre
Work with the Marketing and Student Recruitment team to establish appropriate fee
levels and secure studentships
Work with the Alumni team, to maximise the number of participants who become
engaged and active alumni
Work with the development officer to identify and leverage funding opportunities for the
MRes and PhD programmes
Monitor and drive the PhD submission rate
Work with the Marketing and Student Recruitment Team on initiatives to set targets and
attract the very best students
Work with Programme Director and Research Committee to devise and implement an
academic placement strategy for PhD students entering the academic job market
Teaching Support
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Liaise with academic staff to improve teaching delivery in terms of quality and consistency
Liaise with the Educational Technology Unit to ensure state of the art e-learning
techniques are being used to maximum effect in support of the Programmes
Work with the Programme Director to ensure successful implementation of any new
courses on the Programmes
Monitor and drive improvements in quality of teaching materials provided to students
Finance
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To draw up the Programmes budget and monitor spending within formally delegated
approval levels
To ensure allocated funds are spent appropriately to give maximum impact and to make
business cases for additional investment where appropriate
To ensure College requirements as regards financial management, audit, contracts,
procurement and employment are met
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Committees and Meetings
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To participate in School and College level Committees, and to organise and manage
regular Staff Student committee meetings and follow through on actions arising
Record keeping
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Provide up-to-date data for accreditations and audits
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties,
which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
Observe and comply with all College policies and regulations, including the key policies and procedures
on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, Data Protection, Equal Opportunities, Financial Regulations,
Health and Safety, Imperial Expectations (for new leaders, managers and supervisors), Information
Technology, Private Engagements and Register of Interests, and Smoking.
Undertake safety responsibilities relevant to individual roles, as set out on the College Health and Safety
Structure and Responsibilities
(http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/safety/policies/organisationandarrangements).
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All employees
are expected to adhere to the principles set out in its Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy,
Promoting Race Equality Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
DOCTORAL PROGRAMME MANAGER
IMPERIAL COLLEGE BUSINESS SCHOOL
Applicants for this post should demonstrate how their skills and experience meet the following
Person Specification.
Imperial Expectations
These are the 7 principles that Imperial leaders, managers and supervisors are expected to
follow:
1) Champion a positive approach to change and opportunity
2) Communicate regularly and effectively within, and across, teams
3) Consider the thoughts and expectations of others
4) Deliver positive outcomes
5) Encourage inclusive participation and eliminate discrimination
6) Support and develop staff to optimise talent
7) Work in a planned and managed way
Knowledge
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An understanding of the business needs of universities
An understanding of postgraduate education
Knowledge of teaching and learning
Knowledge of research methods
Understanding of quality service delivery
Competencies, Skills and Abilities
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Proven experience of management and administration in an academic or similar
environment
Ability to work under pressure, to deadlines and to prioritise work
Ability to work under own initiative
Experience of managing and developing staff
Ability to work with academic staff with diverse interests
Ability to influence and persuade
Ability to work across teams
Proven ability to identify, propose, plan and implement improvements to service delivery
Proven commitment to equality of opportunity in all areas of work
Experience of writing concise high quality reports, papers, presentations and business
cases
Experience of committee management
Able to produce spreadsheets and analyse data using formulae using Microsoft Excel
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