Innovate UK
Project Manager – VPAG Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme

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Project Manager – VPAG Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme
Band: UKRI Band E (UKRI Ts & Cs)
Salary: £46,743 gross per annum
Reports to: Programme Manager VPAG Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme
Location: UKRI sites: Swindon, London, Harwell, Daresbury, Keyworth, Cambridge
Contract: Fixed Term Until (31/03/2029)
Job Purpose
The Project Manager will work with all members of the Life & Land Team and will contribute to the effective delivery of the VPAG Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme. They may also support other managed programmes in the Life & Land portfolio. Reporting to the Programme Manager - VPAG Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme, the Project Manager will manage the day-to-day delivery of the VPAG Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme, working closely with project teams and the wider Innovation As A Service function to ensure timely delivery of key milestones and objectives. The Project Manager will also support the implementation of appropriate programme and project management functions, ensuring effective Risk Management, governance, assurance, impact management, etc. in line with Core PSO guidance and best practice.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
- Provide project management support for the VPAG Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Programme activities.
- Support the Programme Manager in the day-to-day delivery of Programme/Domain/IUK/UKRI Governance functions.
- Support the development of governance papers and provide secretariat for governance meetings.
- Support and deputise for more senior members of the delivery, such as the Programme Manager and Portfolio Manager.
- Track and record timelines, finance, risks and impact metrics.
- Support the embedding of monitoring, evaluation, and impact management across projects.
- Work with the Life & Land team and other teams across Innovate UK to support plans for independent programme evaluations.
- Support the Programme Manager in the set up and maintenance of Programme management products and processes.
- Generate and update management information and reports.
- Support maintenance of appropriate information management frameworks.
- Take part in project/programme management meetings.
- Ensure effective change management processes are in place.
- Support the Programme Manager in the management of internal and external team’s stakeholders.
- Support knowledge sharing and best practice across the Life & Land team and wider Innovation As A Service Directorate.
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Shortlisting criteria
- (S) – Assessed at shortlisting
- (I) – Assessed at interview
- (S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview
Person Specification
This focused and highly-effective individual will be an excellent project manager with a proven track-record, used to working without close direction and able to manage multiple streams of work. They will be highly flexible, capable of identifying the right approach to the challenge in hand and translating that approach into effective delivery. They will have been exposed to many different project management approaches and be able to implement project management approaches to risk management, cost management, planning, benefits management and management reporting.
Experience & Qualifications
- A’ levels or relevant equivalent qualification or previous relevant experience (S).
- Knowledge of the full project lifecycle with considerable experience of providing project management support for large public sector projects (S&I).
- Experience of delivering projects within a programme structure (S).
- Experience of monitoring risks and managing risk escalation processes (S&I).
- Experience of creating governance papers and minutes (S).
- Experience of effectively communicating to a range of internal and external stakeholders (S&I).
- Experience of achieving results through influencing skills rather than direct control (I).
- Experience of successfully managing multiple stakeholders with conflicting demands and priorities (I).
Competencies
- Thinking and Problem Solving
- Stakeholder management
- Communication skills
- Influencing
- Self-awareness/self-management
- Strategic awareness
- Working with others
- Project management
Travel Requirements
There will be a requirement to travel, mostly national, and there is some flexibility in this. Innovate UK staff make extensive use of telepresence tools for meetings to minimise unnecessary travel.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Innovate UK is a diverse workforce of people. We believe that encouraging these differences and drawing the best from them will build a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met. We will act directly and use our influence to ensure that this right is promoted and upheld; we encourage applications from all those who meet the criteria set-out in our role profiles.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to employing any person who meets the criteria for our roles. When undertaking recruitment we may require applicants to undertake certain tests or assessments, some of which will be online and others may be in-person. If you have a disability, heath condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia then you may be entitled to support with undertaking this type of assessment exercise. Where you feel that reasonable adjustments are required to support you, we ask that you advise your recruitment point of contact in a timely fashion, providing further information. In confidence, Innovate UK will then review your application for adjustments and provide support as required.


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Employee Benefits
We offer a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, flexible working hours, an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme, and access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes.
Flexible Working
We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Pre-employment Screening
To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a comprehensive pre-employment check on successful applicants as part of the recruitment process. 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. UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider how this aligns with your personal values or beliefs. To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as a crucial part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.
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