Durham University
Pre-Award Research Manager
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The Role and the 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, contracting and consultancy support. 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 Pre-Award Research Manager within the pre-award team, 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 Pre Award Research Managers 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 Pre-Award Research Manager will be a key point of contact for an academic wishing to apply for external research funding and will provide support and expert advice in a number of essential activities including:
- Project managing the submission process of the bid (including responsibility for budget development and seeking internal approvals).
- Working closely with the Research Development team on strategic funding opportunities.
- Lay reviewing applications for regulatory and funder compliance.
- 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.
- Delivering training and information events.
It is essential that the Pre-Award Research Manager 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.
Working Pattern
We operate hybrid working and are on site 40% of working time per week and remainder can be worked from home.
Dependent on experience, the successful applicant may need to work on site for more than 40% of the time for an initial period.
The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage: Boldon House – Durham University.
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Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Experience
- Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
- Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of services and activities within the organisation.
- Experience of implementing policies and procedures, and supporting change and service improvements.
- Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
- Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.
- Relevant experience of supporting grant applications preferably within an HEI environment
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
- Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications and project or research management systems (e.g. worktribe).
- Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
- Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
- Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
- Ability to prioritise work effectively to meet demanding and often conflicting deadlines
- Excellent attention to detail and an ability to maintain accuracy whilst working under pressure
Desirable Criteria
- An understanding of costing and pricing methodologies
- Experience of negotiating research contracts
How to Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What you need to submit
- A CV
- A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.
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Contact details
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Rebecca Buckingham; r.a.buckingham@durham.ac.uk
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery/Development
- Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
- Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University’s frameworks and regulations.
- Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise, in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values.
- Manage the delivery of external research grant application support services across the University to a high standard.
- Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from staff and others who you work with and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
- Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources.
- Look for ways to improve grant application processes across all areas of your work.
- Identify any learning needs that should be met by Research Operations pre-award team and design activities and arrange any training.
Planning and Organisation
- Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by Research Operations in RIS.
- Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of your Research and Innovation Services.
- Seek feedback from staff and other key stakeholders so that the service is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements.
- Analyse data on the level of service being provided by research operations to recommend areas for future improvement.
- Meet the development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required.
- Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.
Communication/Liaison
- Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University’s policies, procedures and regulations are complied with.
- Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
- Coordinate and organise committees and other business meetings and deal with any related complaints.
- Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes.
- Use your expertise to provide training or guidance to other stakeholders.
- Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.
- Any other reasonable duties.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
SECONDMENT
The post is full time fixed term for a maximum 1 year period, with a fixed end date of 31st December 2027, and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.
Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.
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