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- Tasks: Lead a team in managing pre-award research grants and contracts, ensuring compliance and effective project management.
- Company: Join a dynamic Research and Innovation Services team at a leading university.
- Benefits: Enjoy a vibrant office environment, hybrid working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career advancement in a collaborative and supportive setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in research funding while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in research funding and strong organisational skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 51962 - 51962 £ per year.
Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related activity, including securing funding, working with partners, supporting knowledge exchange and impact, commercialisation, and ensuring good research practice.
The Research Operations Team, which is the largest team within the Directorate, provides comprehensive support to academic and Professional Support Services (PSS) colleagues across the full lifecycle of a research project. The team delivers pre-award, contracting, post-award and consultancy support. This includes tailored financial and contractual advice from the earliest stages of planning, costing and pricing proposals through to efficient contract negotiation and robust financial management and compliance for awarded projects.
This is a key management position within the Research Operations Team. The post holder will lead a team of approximately six Pre Award Research Grants and Contracts Managers, playing an essential role in staff development and training, acting as a point of escalation, and reviewing and implementing key business processes. A thorough understanding of the UK HEI research funding landscape is essential.
The post holder will also have responsibility for working alongside academic staff, project managing the preparation and submission of large complex bids by contributing to the proposal development, providing costings, and providing specialist advice on funder eligibility criteria whilst ensuring compliance with university policy. Reporting to the Head of Research Operations, you will be a key member of the Senior Management Team.
The role will work closely alongside another Senior Pre Award Research Manager to ensure consistent leadership, effective workload management, and a coordinated, high-quality pre-award service across the institution. It is essential that the post holder 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.
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. This presents an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to move into a management role.
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. 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.
Senior Pre Award Research Manager - Durham employer: Durham University
Contact Detail:
Durham University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Pre Award Research Manager - Durham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those already working in research management. Attend events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their funding landscape and recent initiatives. This will not only help you answer questions but also show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities of the Senior Pre Award Research Manager role. Highlight your organisational skills, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities – these are key in this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our vibrant team at Boldon House. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Pre Award Research Manager - Durham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in research funding and management. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As this is a management position, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've developed teams or managed projects effectively. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and guide others!
Be Detail-Oriented: Attention to detail is key in this role, especially when it comes to compliance and proposal development. Make sure your application is free from errors and clearly structured. We appreciate candidates who take pride in their work!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Durham University
✨Know Your Research Funding Landscape
Make sure you brush up on the UK HEI research funding landscape before your interview. Familiarise yourself with key funders, their eligibility criteria, and recent trends in funding. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your proactive approach to staying informed.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
As this role involves leading a team, be prepared to discuss your management style and experiences. Think of specific examples where you've successfully developed staff or improved processes. Highlighting your ability to manage workloads effectively will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and attention to detail. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges you might face in the role, such as contract negotiations or compliance issues, and how you would tackle them.
✨Build Relationships in Your Answers
Since the role requires close collaboration with various teams, emphasise your communication skills and ability to build relationships. Share examples of how you've worked with different stakeholders in the past, and how you plan to foster collaboration in this new role.