Senior Research Operations Officer

Welcome to the School of Politics and Economics, where our vision aligns with King's College London's ambitious goal of changing the world for the better.   

 

The School of Politics and Economics includes the departments of Political Economy, European & International Studies, and King’s Russia Institute. The School has a large cohort of PGR students and a grant portfolio held across all of the major funders including the UKRI, the Leverhulme Trust and the European Commission.

The School is looking to appoint a Senior Research Operations Officer (SROO) who will lead on postgraduate research programme administration and will provide high-quality and comprehensive administrative, budgetary, and research grant support to the School, working alongside the School Research Manager and academics to support the grant lifecycle from bid development to the day-to-day administration of awards.

Postgraduate research programme administration will include day-to-day administrative support for our postgraduate research programmes and collaborating closely with academic and student support teams to guarantee a seamless student experience from admission to graduation. They will support students with registration, progression and day to day enquiries, keeping track of personal research funds, while also maintaining student records and supporting the relevant school and departmental committees.

The research and grant administration aspect of the role will include both post-award administration and pre-award support. Post award administration will include managing grant finances, booking travel, accommodation and meeting rooms, processing expense claims, and supporting the recruitment of research assistants to research projects. Pre-award administration will include helping staff members to prepare costs for research grant applications and supporting staff members with navigating the application process. 

The SROO will be required to work closely with all relevant stakeholders and maintain up to date knowledge of programme and College regulations, providing accurate guidance to colleagues and students as required, and ensuring all assurance processes are followed. The role would be suited to someone who can manage multiple competing priorities, has good attention to detail, and can build and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including colleagues in Finance, Human Resources, Student Registry Services, and the Research Management & Innovation Directorate (RMID).

You will also be expected to develop your expertise in quality assurance and regulations, contribute to process improvements, and participate in professional networks dedicated to promoting best practices.

The post holder will be able to work as part of King’s hybrid working model, with a minimum of two days per week in the office.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

About you

Essential criteria

1. Excellent knowledge of university policies and procedures including student and financial regulations, procurement and travel regulations.
2. Thorough understanding of course administration within a university setting, and preferably relating to the PGR life cycle.
3. Experience managing budgets and preferably an understanding of the PGR funding landscape.
4. Clear task management and organisation skills; ability to work under pressure with competing and shifting priorities, deadlines, and workload while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.
5. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with evidence of building good working relationships with stakeholders at all levels, both internally and externally.
6. High standard of numeracy with proven financial management and analytical skills and proficient in IT skills (including databases, Excel, Word and PowerPoint).

Type / Role:

Subject Area(s):

Location(s):