Operations Change Manager

Location: Cambridge (Hybrid-working) – with infrequent deployment (no more than once every 3 years envisaged)

Interview Date: Friday 6^th December 2024

Background:

The British Antarctic Survey is undergoing a major transformation of its infrastructure, equipment and processes. The next phase will bring with it projects that continue to modernise the BAS Antarctic Estate. Recognising that a significant number of requirements for this new capability will need engagement with Operations, Science and key stakeholders such as the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), this pivotal role will be the focal point for teams across BAS.

About the Role:

As the Operations Change Manager, you will need to see the big picture; you will be able to work with end users and represent their interest throughout the project cycle. You will have the credibility to drive forward the introduction of new infrastructure, equipment, and processes to realise the benefits of modernisation. 

The Operations Change Manager plays a key role in ensuring alignment between Business as Usual (BAU) and major project teams. They must ensure that science needs, FCDO requirements, future operational models and long-term cost implications are all factored into the development of major projects. 

The successful candidate must be able to support multiple projects concurrently and have a strong grasp of the operational implications of introducing new buildings and assets across all our research stations and areas of operation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with key users, to help shape and define future capability needs.
• Define user requirements to support design and development of projects.
• Establish the long-term benefits needed by BAS and ensure they are incorporated across all projects in an aligned way. Throughout the project lifecycle ensure benefits are reviewed regularly and there is a management plan in place to deliver.
• Work collaboratively with the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) team to cost transitional arrangements, and to fully cost steady- state resource costs for Business as Usual.
• Communicate planned changes in operational capability so that they are clear and understood by all stakeholder/operational areas.
• Lead on preparing transition from projects to BAS operations adoption of the new infrastructure, equipment or process.
• Ensure that future infrastructure and operating models are environmentally and financially sustainable in the longer term and achieve our carbon reduction targets.
• Ensure that future infrastructure and operating models are making best use of new technologies and innovative solutions to achieve future proofed infrastructure.

Skills Specification:

Qualifications

Essential:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.

Desirable:

• Project Management qualification (APM PMQ, PRINCE2 or equivalent).
• Change Management qualification.

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Interest in BAS Operations and Antarctic Science requirements.
• Highly organised with outstanding planning skills and able to prioritise effectively.
• Able to deal with multiple complex and interrelated work strands.
• Experience of leading projects and delivering change.
• Highly numerate with good financial/numerical ability and an awareness of budgetary considerations for managing projects.
• Excellent computer skills with good knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint).
• A strong written and oral communicator, able to simplify complexity and present to a wide range of audiences using appropriate media.
• Proven ability to deliver success by effective decision making and sound judgement.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an engaging, flexible, and uniting personality, able to quickly gain people’s trust and inspire confidence.
• A self-starter able to use their initiative to drive future thinking.
• Proven success in coordinating and managing stakeholders needs to ensure alignment.
• Good mediation skills.

Desirable:

• Thorough understanding of the Antarctic operating and science environment and stakeholder community.
• Proven track record of driving and delivering organisational change.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment. 

Who are we?

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Its skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through its extensive logistic capability and know how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure help sustain a world leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. British Antarctic Survey is a component of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC is part of UK Research and Innovation www.ukri.org.

We employ experts from many different professions to carry out our Science as well as to keep the lights on, feed the research and support teams and keep everyone safe!  We aim to attract the best people for our jobs. If you are looking for an opportunity to work with amazing people in amazing places, then British Antarctic Survey could be for you.

Our vision

At BAS, our vision is to be a world-leading centre for polar science and operations. Making our vision a reality depends on the excellence and diversity of our staff. We are committed to creating a workplace where all our staff can flourish and succeed. BAS is a Disability Confident employer, we are proud to hold a silver Athena Swan award and we are a member of enei, the Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion.

Working at BAS

Choosing to come to work at BAS means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. You can find out more about our benefits here.  

We appreciate the importance of achieving work-life balance and support this with several family and carer-friendly policies. Plus, a flexible working policy for those who may wish to amend their working pattern or arrangement. We also operate a hybrid working policy to support the balance of working time between the office and home.