Postgraduate Research Manager – College of Life and Environmental Sciences – 99180 – Grade 7

Job title:

Postgraduate Research Manager – College of Life and Environmental Sciences – 99180 – Grade 7

Company

University of Birmingham

Job description

Job DescriptionPosition DetailsCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesLocation: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UKFull time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974Grade: 7Full Time, PermanentClosing date: 3rd October 2024Role SummaryThis team leadership role is based within the College of Life and Environmental Sciences and plays a vital role in supporting the management and development of postgraduate research provision working closely with senior academics and Professional Services colleagues, across the institute, to enable the College to deliver excellence in postgraduate research.The post holder will possess an in depth understanding of how academia operates as a business and will be responsible for the management and optimisation of administration, delivered through on-going business improvement, for all postgraduate research administrative processes. They will work with staff across the College, lead on defined postgraduate research projects and make a major contribution to strategic discussions, developing policy and procedure in Schools ensuring consistency of practice and delivery of the College strategy.The post holder will utilise their experience in programme and change management to work on their own initiative and exercise a high level of judgement, skill and understanding to conceive, develop and implement long-term improvements to service delivery and effective ways of working within their areas of responsibility.Main duties

• To work closely with the Deputy Director of Operations (Research and Knowledge Transfer), Director of Graduate Research, School PGR Leads, and the wider College Professional Services teams, including College Finance, to enhance and maintain the quality of postgraduate research in line with University, College and School postgraduate research strategy and the College strategic plan.
• Work independently, whilst consulting as appropriate with senior academic and professional service staff on the development and implementation of procedures to support change using an open and inclusive leadership style. This will involve working with a variety of staff and may involve significant changes and gaining commitment to enhance performance of the function and align with wider initiatives.
• Manage & develop postgraduate research-related administrative processes, ensuring they are robust, flexible and operate effectively interfacing with colleagues at both College and University level.
• Undertake regular reviews of all postgraduate research processes and systems to ensure that they remain efficient, integrated, fit for purpose and in line with current University, College and School quality assurance practices, current sector guidance and best practice. The post holder will identify the need for improvements where necessary and lead on the delivery and implementation of action plans to respond to those needs, with agreement from the College Deputy Director of Operations (Research and Knowledge Transfer).
• Ensure that the operating model is fit for purpose, reviewing and balancing the allocation of responsibilities within the team to ensure that an effective and efficient service is delivered, and communicate with Schools to ensure the delivery of a high-quality service which meets local and College needs.
• Exercise a leadership role in ensuring join-up between the College PGR administration team, Central finance, Admissions and Registry, to ensure that financial records are auditable and reports to funders are planned in advance of the delivery date, changing to the culture to be proactive.
• Oversee College scholarships through monitoring budgets and expenditure, taking the lead in reporting to collaborative partners and funding bodies such as Research Councils, and ensuring compliance with their requirements.
• Offer specialist advice about university systems, policies and regulations concisely in addition to reviewing, interpreting and implementing any new systems, policies or regulations using own specialist knowledge and expertise in this area to ensure administrative compliance.
• Represent the College, in a management capacity, on Committees and Groups as directed by the Deputy Director of Operations (Research and Knowledge Transfer) and College Director of Graduate Research
• Work with professional services and academic colleagues to lead on the delivery of change projects across the College, planning and ensuring delivery within set timescales.
• Take the lead on projects or new initiatives relating to the University’s postgraduate research agenda as required.
• Prepare and where appropriate, present reports, proposals and papers for stakeholders and senior meetings.
• Coach and deliver training to staff in a supportive environment, demonstrating willingness to listen, engage and support.
• Engage yourself and your team members with the Professional Development Review process and the Birmingham Professional initiative, to develop and enhance necessary skillsets.
• Regularly explore opportunities for funding for PhD studentships from external partners, such as research councils and charities, facilitate the distribution of these opportunities to staff, and maintain a database of these opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for student engagement and contribute to the delivery and implementation of action plans to respond to those opportunities, with agreement from the College Director of Graduate Research.
• Nurture good working relationships to ensure effective communication of college initiatives, processes and procedures are circulated effectively.
• The post holder will be required to undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required by the Deputy Director of Operations (Research and Knowledge Transfer).

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, ExperienceYou will need to evidence:

• First Degree (or equivalent qualification), or equivalent relevant work experience
• Significant experience of working in Higher Education senior programme administration and/or management
• Experience of reviewing processes and leading on-going business improvement
• Evidence relationship building skills, across a wide range of professional service teams

You will be:

• Experienced in working within a customer centric organisation
• Knowledgeable of postgraduate research and related processes
• Knowledgeable of financial processes and budget management
• Experienced in managing staff, delegating work to colleagues and collaborating with others at a senior level to deliver change and/or projects, to deliver a team culture of training and productivity
• Experienced in analysing complex information and of contributing to action plans, strategic plans and quality reviews.
• Knowledgeable of the environmental, economic and political factors impacting on Higher Education.

In addition to the above, you should be able to demonstrate and/or evidence the following:

• High level of competence in the use of IT with proficient experience of using Microsoft Office, databases (preferably student record systems) and online learning resources.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, experience of working collaboratively with the ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues at every level of an organization.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• The ability to cope with change in a fast moving, dynamic environment where change is often required immediately.
• Ability to demonstrate effective negotiating and positive influencing skills.
• Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy, and the ability to deal discreetly with confidential and sensitive matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, and be self-motivated but also able to work as part of a larger team.
• Exemplary attention to detail and the ability to work confidentially, use judgement and make appropriate decisions within the constraints of the role.
• Excellent understanding of delivering excellent customer service and the ability to influence others to deliver.
• Demonstrate a flexible, positive and creative approach to work and meticulous attention to detail.
• Demonstrate ability to acquire knowledge and understanding of detailed University policies and procedures and apply them in practice with the ability to interpret policy and offer advice to colleagues.
• An understanding of the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.

DimensionsYou will directly manage others in this role and be expected to act as a role model and coach members of the team. You may manage a budget in this role.Planning and organisingYou will be required to manage and prioritise a varied and complex workload to deliver within required time frames, and make a substantial contribution to the management, development and implementation of strategic and operational processes.Problem solving and decision makingYou will be working under the direction of a senior manager, but with considerable autonomy to deliver the outputs required. You will be working within the framework of existing policies, processes and procedures for the University and the College, but there will be plenty of scope to review and shape processes. You will take day to day decisions on complex tasks in the team’s remit including identifying next steps as appropriate. You will manage complex projects and be responsible for delivering outcomes within a set timeframe.Internal and external relationshipsThis role will be liaising with internal colleagues and stakeholders, external stakeholders as well, sometimes with customers who have issues with the service, with an expectation on maintaining good working relationships with all.Informal enquiries to Victoria Sharp, email: [email protected]View our staff values and behaviours hereWe believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.

Expected salary

£34980 – 44263 per year

Location

Birmingham

Job date

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 22:41:26 GMT

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