Programme Manager – Maternity Cover

Location:  Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF 

Salary: Standard Grade 8: Salary in range £48,235 - £57,255 per annum. This is inclusive of a pensionable Oxford University Weighting of £1,500 per year (pro rata).

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated Programme Manager (maternity cover) to join the Pandemic Sciences Institute (PSI) Policy and Practice Research Group, at the University of Oxford. The research group undertakes applied research on the design and implementation of policy and practice (including public health) for pandemic preparedness and response. Two activities of note hosted within the research group are the GloPID-R Research and Policy team and the Pandemic PACT funding tracking and evidence synthesis programme.

You will be responsible for the programme management across the PSI Policy and Practice research group, in particular the Pandemic PACT Programme. You will work in collaboration with the NDM Grant Management and Finance team to meet objectives within deadlines and within the University standards and the funder’s terms and conditions; to act as the first point of contact for project enquiries and decision-making issues; to be responsible for project and resource planning, identifying shortfalls and issues and providing feasible solutions to existing problems; and for the strategic management of the projects to meet project goals. You will also support the PI in managing reporting to several funders, fundraising, recruiting new team members, and setting up and overseeing sub-contractors.

It is essential that you hold an undergraduate degree with an excellent track record of successfully managing and delivering scientific research projects. You will be able to demonstrate leadership of large and complex projects, for example, with multiple stakeholders, budgets exceeding £1m, long time-frames, and regulatory complexity. You will have extensive experience of working with senior external stakeholders, and will be highly organised with the ability to manage a vast amount of relatively complex information and to prioritise a demanding workload with competing deadlines. Ability to communicate effectively to a high standard, including relatively complex scientific matters, strong interpersonal skills, to work efficiently in multidisciplinary teams internationally, as well as advanced computer skills particularly Microsoft Office package and Project Management software are essential to the role. Understanding of the University research grant management procedures and/or previous relevant experience within the higher education sector, and experience of managing sub-contractors are highly desirable.

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online (via the ‘Apply’ button above) and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as part of your online application. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience.

This position is offered full time on a fixed term contract until the 15 May 2026 and is funded by Wellcome. It is hoped that the successful candidate will be in role by 1 May 2025 to allow for some handover with the substantive postholder.

Only applications received before 12 midday on 17 March 2025 will be considered. Please quote 178361 on all correspondence.

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