Research Operations Manager (International Grants)

About the role:

Key Responsibilities

• Develop & maintain high level knowledge of funder policies and university processes encompassing research grant administration with a specific focus on international funders/
• Develop and maintain good understanding of University’s grant information & finance systems i.e. Unit4 Business World and Worktribe, assisting academic and professional services colleagues where required. 
• Manage increasingly complex grant applications, providing advice and guidance to academics and the research support team on these funders.  
• Implement & monitor local strategies for maximising overhead recovery on grants and reducing ineligible spend.  
• Monitor, report & forecast financial grant information, providing advice and support to academic and professional services colleagues. 
• Proactively oversee pre- & post-award activity in department/school/faculty, providing high level support and guidance to academics. 
• Promote research funding opportunities across the relevant business unit. 
• Provide advice on staff resourcing to appropriate senior staff to effectively manage grant volume peaks across Departments.  
• Actively promote a positive research culture in-line with wider University initiatives. 
• Inform the Research Operations Managers (Cluster) about the project pipeline, highlighting resource implications of grants (space needs, new posts, administrative requirements etc.).

General Duties  

• Support faculty-level research management staff with research data collection, analysis, & reporting.  
• Deputise for Senior Research Operations Manager as required. 
• Line management of Senior Research Support Officer/s. 
• Identify improvements in processes & ensure effective systems in place to deliver high quality service. 
• Keep up to date with relevant training, policies, and processes. 
• Establish strong working relationships across the Faculty & Research Management and Innovation Directorate (RMID).  
• Work autonomously and collaboratively across the PS research support team, delegating and allocating work effectively and setting standards for administrative procedures and processes. 
• Actively contribute to relevant department/school/faculty committees, meetings and networks as required.  
• Facilitate an inclusive culture and ethos working across the faculty’s research community. 
• To undertake any other duties as required by line manager and other appropriate senior colleagues. 
• To add content to and maintain data on the relevant information platforms – intranet, internet, SharePoint etc. 
• To develop a good understanding of Open Access, Open Research and research data management policies, & liaise with the library as required. 
• To support REF related activities as required. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. 

This is a full-time post, and you will be offered an indefinite contract

About You

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills & experience:

Essential criteria

1. Knowledge of the Higher Education research environment.
2. Understanding of grant application processes including costing and funder guidelines.
3. Ability to interpret complex guidelines and prepare reports and budgets in line with the requirements set out.
4. Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate at all levels.
5. Excellent organisational and planning skills and the ability to work to tight deadlines.
6. High degree of numeracy.
7. Significant experience of relevant research administration or project management experience in a similar or related role.
8. Proven ability to work as part of a team, understanding responsibilities as well as areas of expertise and drawing on others where appropriate.

Desirable criteria

1. Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing environments.
2. Ability to exercise initiative.
3. Ability to assess risks & financial implications.
4. Experience in delivering a customer focussed service.
5. Experience in change management.

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