Assistant Project Manager in Blackburn

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Location: AMRC North West, Samlesbury Enterprise Zone, Lancashire (near Blackburn and Preston).

Please note: This role is based at AMRC North West in Samlesbury, Lancashire. Regular attendance at the facility is required.

As part of The University of Sheffield, the AMRC North West team is based at Samlesbury Enterprise Zone, Lancashire, near Blackburn and Preston. Our people are our heart. Our diverse group of backgrounds, abilities, and beliefs makes us an outstanding and remarkable place to work. You'll connect our customers with project engineers and turn complex goals into clear, actionable roadmaps.

At the University of Sheffield AMRC, you will be part of an ambitious team that values outstanding performance and excellence. We encourage a collaborative environment where every team member can contribute their crafted skills and perspectives. Our projects are driven to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what is possible in engineering.

We are committed to encouraging an inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive.

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your career at one of the UK’s leading manufacturing research centres and make a significant impact on the engineering sector.

The AMRC are Corporate Partners of the Association of Project Management (APM). Meaning we continuously train, support and encourage the Project Management team at the AMRC.

• Working with the Project Management Community to support them to plan, administer and deliver team projects.
• Research, collate, organise, and edit material for inclusion in reports and other documents.
• Interpret and communicate results to Project Manager, Senior Project Manager and some essential operational areas. At times communication to the customer programme manager is required to support the work of the AMRC.
• Present own work and team data results to internal and external stakeholders at all levels in a professional and concise manner.
• Expected involvement with securing key partnership projects and maintaining close partnerships with AMRC partner companies.
• Plan and carry out tasks / responsibilities over the short-medium term, with an awareness of longer-term issues. Use discretion to determine priorities and resolve conflicts to allow the team to meet targets and deadlines.
• Continuously monitor and check teams against milestones, priorities, finance, on time delivery, resourcing and forward levels of work and quality process adherence within a large portfolio of work.
• Assist teams in planning several months in advance to meet deadlines for AMRC project reports, industrial partner deadlines and to support preparation for presentations to internal and external stakeholders, especially in communication of finance status.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Stage(s) assessed at

Essential

• Have significant Project Coordinator / project support work experience.
• Have client facing / customer service work experience at working team level
• IT Skills across Microsoft Office suite, including Microsoft Project intermediate to advanced standard.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, experience of supporting presentations.
• Must be extremely organised with a methodical and structured approach to work, and good attention to detail.
• Ability to track and support the finances within a large portfolio of work
• Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of longer-term implications.
• Experience of supporting a range of project management approaches including waterfall, hybrid and agile.
• Has an awareness of Risk Management
• Must have studied or hold a known project management qualification (PFQ, Prince 2, Agile etc) or demonstrable equivalent experience

Desirable

• Effective communication skills communicating to staff at all levels the organisations strategic plan and their personal contribution towards it

Grade: 6

Salary: £32080-£36636

Work arrangement: Full-time

Line manager: Senior Project Manager

Our website: amrc.co.uk

For informal enquiries about this job contact Faizal Kachwala], Project Delivery Manager AMRC North West: on f.a.kachwala@sheffield.ac.uk or on 01254947116

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on w/c 3rd November 2026 This will consist of an interview with presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 27th October. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Tracey Wyatt - t.wyatt@amrc.co.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What We Offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • access to menopause support in the workplace
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Baseline personnel security standard This role requires the postholder to undertake a Government baseline personnel security standard (BPSS) check as a condition of employment.

Closing Date : 23/10/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

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