Research Grants and Contracts Manager

The Role and Department

The Research Operations Team is part of Research and Innovation Services (RIS) and provides comprehensive support to academic and PSS colleagues across the lifecycle of a research project. The team comprises pre- and post-award services, consultancy support, and systems implementation and development. Support includes tailored financial and contractual advice and management to all researchers at Durham, from planning, costing, and pricing the initial proposal to ensuring that contracts and agreements are negotiated effectively and efficiently to ensuring robust financial management and compliance of awarded projects. Research Operations works alongside the various teams which make up the Research and Innovation Services and in partnership with Professional Support colleagues across the University to help facilitate research-related planning, reporting and development and to meet the needs of both the individual researcher and the wider institution. 

As a Research Grants and Contracts Manager (RGCM) you will play a key role in supporting and developing externally funded research grant activity by providing high quality support and advice to academic staff in the preparation, submission and contractual negotiation of research grants and awards. You will join an enthusiastic and supportive team of RGCMs based in the central office but will also be expected to spend time in the academic departments you support to provide a key link role between the academic community and RIS.  

The RGCM will be first point of contact for an academic wishing to apply for external research funding and will provide support and expert advice in a number of key activities including:

• Identifying and disseminating funding opportunities.
• Delivering training and information events.
• Lay reviewing applications.
• Project managing the submission process of the bid (including responsibility for budget development and seeking internal approvals).
• Ensuring timely acceptance of successful awards including contract negotiation and ensuring all ethical and due diligence checks are completed.
• Working closely with post-award and contracting colleagues to ensure accurate project information is captured and shared in a central project management system.

It is essential that the RGCM is highly organised, pays close attention to detail, and has a pro-active approach to problem-solving. The capability to prioritise and manage a busy and varied workload is crucial. The ability to work across a number of concurrent projects at different stages of development is essential. A confident communicator, you will form close working relationships with the other members of the Operations Team, Research Development Team, Faculty Officials, Heads of Department, Directors of Research, Department Managers and other members of Professional Support Staff. 

Subject to business need, the working pattern can be arranged to suit the successful applicant. Dependent on experience, the successful applicant may need to work on campus for the majority of the time for the first three months.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

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