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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical services and manage laboratory operations in a dynamic engineering environment.
- Company: Join Newcastle University, a global leader in education and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in STEM while supporting students and researchers.
- Qualifications: Experience in technical roles and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community that values diversity and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 47389 - 50253 £ per year.
Salary: £47,389 to £50,253 with progression to £56,535 per annum
Closing Date: 20 April 2026
The Role
Your role will be to provide strategic and operational leadership for technical services across multiple disciplines within the School of Engineering, overseeing shared technical resources and facilities that support teaching, research and innovation. You will work closely with the School Technical Manager and other Technical Operations Managers. It is the responsibility of this role to ensure the effective planning, management and continuous improvement of laboratory operations, infrastructure, health and safety compliance, and chemical and biological laboratory management. In addition, this role provides leadership and line management for technical staff and contributes to school strategy by delivering a responsive, integrated and high-quality technical service to academic, research and student communities.
Key Accountabilities
- Deputise for the School Technical Manager in their absence
- Maintain and develop technical expertise and knowledge of relevant legislation to support the development and implementation of school policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with all legal and university requirements within laboratories and technical workspaces
- Contribute to the strategic planning, design and development of technical services and facilities within the school, including equipment provision, bulk and project purchasing, and management of allocated budgets
- Authorise expenditure for shared technical resources and equipment
- Manage and ensure the effective maintenance, repair and calibration of School equipment and instrumentation through liaison with suppliers, service engineers and specialist contractors
- Maintain the school asset register to support planning, compliance and insurance requirements
- Assess future technical and infrastructure needs relating to space, equipment and specialist facilities, working with the School Technical Manager, academic colleagues, and faculty teams to support the design, refurbishment and upgrading of laboratories
- Provide leadership and line management for technical staff within the designated area, including recruitment, performance development reviews, workload planning and the effective deployment of staff resources
- Work with the School Technical Manager to develop and deliver an operational plan for technical services, ensuring clear objectives, priorities and alignment with university success factors
- Support the professional development of technical staff through training opportunities, professional registration, and engagement with professional networks (e.g. NU TechNet), working with the Faculty Training Manager to coordinate apprenticeships and development programmes
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of technical services through stakeholder feedback and performance data, using insights to drive continuous improvement and inform workforce planning and succession
- Oversee the provision of technical advice and training for PhD students and research staff in the safe and effective use of laboratory equipment and facilities
- Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Significant recent experience in a senior technical role within a STEM or Engineering discipline
- Experience of managing multiple laboratories or technical facilities within a large and complex organisation
- Thorough working knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation and its application within laboratory environments
- Proven leadership and staff management experience, including building and developing high-performing teams and services
- Experience of establishing, reviewing and monitoring technical and operational systems and processes
- Experience of managing projects and delivering outcomes on time and within budget
- Experience of working collaboratively with senior stakeholders within a STEM or Engineering environment
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to motivate staff, implement change, and remain calm and diplomatic in challenging situations
- Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to build effective working relationships across teams and disciplines
- Strong organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
- Strong digital and IT skills to support the management of technical systems, data and records
- Ability to work across organisational boundaries and coordinate communication within complex organisations
Desirable
- Experience of working within a research-intensive or higher education environment
- Knowledge of biosafety and experience of working with containment level 2 laboratories
Attributes and Behaviour
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex or conflicting information, taking account of different stakeholder perspectives across schools, faculties and university services
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to good governance by maintaining clear, accurate records and audit trails using appropriate systems and tools
- Communicates clearly, concisely and accurately, adapting style and approach to the audience and encouraging open, two-way communication
- Demonstrates collaborative leadership, building effective working relationships across academic, technical and professional service teams
- Aligns team and service development with wider school and university strategic aims and objectives
Qualifications
- Degree in a relevant STEM discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
- A scientific or engineering background relevant to laboratory-based technical services
Desirable
- Relevant professional qualification or professional registration (e.g. RSci, CSci, EngTech) or willingness to work towards this.
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution. 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. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population. At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme. In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Technical Operations Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Newcastle University
Contact Detail:
Newcastle University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Operations Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and STEM fields. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to potential employers. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your experience in managing technical operations and leading teams. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, get your CV ready and let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Operations Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Technical Operations Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in managing technical services and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain how your background fits the job description. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading teams, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've built high-performing teams or managed projects successfully. We’re all about collaboration and effective communication!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Newcastle University
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to STEM and engineering disciplines. Familiarise yourself with relevant health and safety legislation, as well as the specific technical services and facilities mentioned in the job description. This will show that you're not just a good fit for the role, but also genuinely interested in the responsibilities.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or managed projects in the past. Think about times when you built high-performing teams or implemented changes that improved operations. Be ready to discuss your approach to staff management and how you motivate others, as this is crucial for the Technical Operations Manager role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various stakeholders, so be prepared to talk about your experience in collaborative environments. Share specific instances where you’ve worked across teams or departments to achieve a common goal. Highlight your communication skills and how you adapt your style to different audiences.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the university. Inquire about the current challenges faced by the technical services team or how they measure success in this position. This shows that you’re thinking ahead and are keen to contribute positively to the organisation.