University of Sunderland
NORI Operations Manager
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Lead the operational delivery of a major five-year health innovation programme.
Help turn an ambitious research and innovation programme into real-world delivery. We are seeking an experienced and highly organised Operations Manager to provide senior operational leadership across the Northern Ophthalmic Research and Innovation (NORI) Institute and its five-year EPSRC-funded Hub.
This is an opportunity to work at the centre of a major collaborative programme bringing together engineering, data science, ophthalmic sensing and health partners to advance earlier disease detection and prevention. You will work across University, NHS, industry and civic partnerships, helping translate ambitious research programmes into coordinated, well-governed and deliverable activity.
You will join NORI at an important stage of growth, with the opportunity to shape how a complex EPSRC-funded programme is mobilised, managed and delivered over its full five-year lifecycle.
Reporting to the NORI executive, you will be responsible for establishing and maintaining the operational grip needed to deliver a complex, multi-partner programme. You will coordinate programme plans, milestones and dependencies; support governance and decision-making; maintain oversight of risk, performance and funder reporting; monitor finances and resources; coordinate recruitment, procurement, contracts and partner commitments; and help resolve operational barriers as they arise.
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You will also play an important role in coordinating professional services and external partners, supporting the Hub's Flexible Fund, maintaining audit-ready programme information, and contributing to agreed Faculty research, innovation and income-development priorities.
This is an externally funded 5-year fixed term contract.
Is this you?
The successful candidate will have:
- Complex programme delivery: significant experience of managing major research programmes, awards or comparable projects involving multiple teams, partners, milestones and dependencies.
- Operational judgement and control: strong experience of governance, risk, financial monitoring, reporting and corrective action, with the ability to identify what needs resolving, what needs escalating and how to keep delivery moving.
- Partnership working and influence: excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coordinate and influence colleagues and partners across organisational boundaries, including where you do not hold direct management authority.
Why join us?
At the University of Sunderland, we’re more than a place of learning, we’re a welcoming community that values inclusivity, collaboration, and well-being. We don’t just offer jobs, we offer careers that come with support, flexibility, and plenty of perks:
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- Up to 49 days’ holiday - that’s 36 days’ annual leave, 5 festive closure days and 8 Bank Holidays!
- Award-winning staff networks that celebrate who you are.
- Lifestyle benefits, with savings on shopping, tech, bikes, and even cars.
- Health and well-being support, from private medical cover to gym discounts.
- Learning and development that helps you achieve your goals.
Ready to Apply?
Before getting started, please download the Role Profile under ‘Job Description’ so you have everything you need.
Our application questions assess you directly against the essential and desirable criteria for the role. We do not review CVs at this stage, so please provide detailed, evidence-based answers to help us understand your suitability.
Closing date: Sunday 25th October (23:59 GMT)
If you have questions about the role, please contact:
Professor Matt Campbell, Head of NORI: matthew.campbell@sunderland.ac.uk
We may close this vacancy earlier than the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications. If this sounds like the opportunity for you, don't wait – get your application in early!
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