Operations Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne

The NIHR Innovation Observatory (IO) is a world-leading health and care innovation horizon scanning research centre based at Newcastle University. Our work supports government agencies, industry, regulators, charities, and researchers by delivering timely, actionable insights that inform strategic decision-making, policy development, investment guidance, funding programmes and improve alignment across agencies. We work across the health, life sciences and wider care ecosystem to identify innovation, gaps and unmet needs, follow trends and signal potentially game-changing innovations.

This role is responsible for the development and delivery of the NIHR Innovation Observatory operations team, providing high-quality professional services support to researchers, technical specialists, analysts and national health, life science and care stakeholders as required. The role reports into the Director of NIHR Innovation Observatory. You will have responsibility for promoting the values of the NIHR Innovation Observatory through appropriate and visible leadership behaviours and actions, with particular responsibility to:

• Teamwork: Collaborate with kindness, value and respect everyone, offering help and support. Actively promote an open flow of information and seek to partner with external interest holders/stakeholders in all our activities.
• Courage and Ambition: Operate at the top of your game, valuing and actively seeking out learning and development opportunities. Give and receive feedback with honesty and reflect on your approaches.
• Curiosity and Open-mindedness: Embrace creativity and value originality, seizing opportunities to learn and innovate.
• Integrity and Quality: Walk the talk and be well-prepared and robust in your approach, delivering high-quality timely outputs, and managing your time and resources effectively.

This post is full time, fixed term until 31st March 2031. To apply for this role, please submit a CV and covering letter with your application.

Key Accountabilities

• Support the Senior Leadership team in day-to-day management of the operations function that ensures the IO delivers against its strategic aims and objectives, delivery milestones and key performance measures, in such a way that promotes excellence and high performance.
• Lead and project manage a dedicated portfolio and programme management of a complex range of innovative research and analytical programmes that support the pull-through of health and care innovations.
• Identify, develop and improve processes, implementing systems and standards to drive improvement across teams and establishing mechanisms to track impact and performance of quality initiatives.
• Develop and manage all governance and data reporting arrangements, both within the University and across national stakeholders.
• Oversee the financial management, procurement and budgeting for a large research infrastructure grant award.
• Provide senior leadership and management to a team of professional services, technical and research staff across the IO.
• Provide operational leadership and oversight of core transformational programmes.
• Work with the Director and the University/Faculty in pro-actively managing Intellectual Property, commercial opportunities and the leveraging of assets.
• Provide robust oversight, leadership and secretariat support for the IO governance structures.

Strategic

• Lead the development and delivery of the Innovation Observatory’s strategy and annual delivery plan process.
• Lead the development of the annual People Plan and have clarity over succession and talent requirements.
• Ensure all people processes across the IO are delivered effectively and in alignment with the values of the University.
• Lead the management and support of grant applications, and bids for funding and consultancy proposals across the IO.
• Establish and manage processes and reporting that ensure that the IO fulfils the requirements of the funders.
• Lead the development of a series of change programmes, in collaboration with the Director and Senior Leadership Team.
• Support the Director and Senior Leadership Team through a cycle of continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain effective and proactive working relationships with the agencies to which the IO reports.
• Build strong and collegiate relationships with our internal and external stakeholders.

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Have a strong understanding of the complexities and challenges of the health, social care and public health research, and innovation landscape.
• Have excellent research management expertise including leading the operationalisation of large complex infrastructure awards.
• Have a demonstrable track record of developing and refreshing knowledge and skills.
• Extensive experience of line management, with a proven track record for developing high-performing teams.
• Proven track record of developing robust business intelligence and insights.
• Significant experience of developing and delivering operational and strategic plans.
• Significant experience of managing change and supporting people to make transitions.
• Proven high level of decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Strong up-to-date knowledge of key management tools and software.
• Outstanding organisational, interpersonal, leadership, time-management, presentation and communication skills.
• Proven ability to develop and manage budgets.

Attributes and Behaviour

• Strong interpersonal leadership skills with the ability to coach, mentor and manage performance effectively.
• High drive and initiative, able to demonstrate professional resilience.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.
• Politically astute and sensitive to the priorities and dynamics of an academically led organisation.
• Strong track record and desire to work collaboratively with colleagues.
• Able to act objectively in dealing with complex problems.
• Think creatively, an effective problem solver.

Qualifications

• Qualified to Degree level and/or with significant relevant management and leadership experience.
• Formal Project/Programme Management qualification or equivalent knowledge.
• Higher degree or professional qualification in relevant topic areas (Desirable).

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.