At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead grants operations for a major digitisation programme and support grant holders.
- Company: Join the innovative DiSSCo UK team at the Natural History Museum.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Opportunities for travel and professional development in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in digitising natural science collections while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Project management skills and experience in risk management are essential.
The predicted salary is between 46743 - 46743 £ per year.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire
The Distributed System of Scientific Collections UK (DiSSCo UK) is a £155.6 million investment for a national infrastructure programme to digitise 37 million natural science specimens. To deliver this exciting new programme, AHRC, alongside their delivery partner the Natural History Museum (NHM), are developing a DiSSCo UK delivery team to manage the programme on a day‑to‑day basis. This new team will be based at Swindon (with strong links to London) and will be responsible for managing the contract with the external evaluation supplier, leading on benefits management, engaging with relevant communities, measuring the impacts of the programme, and ensuring that impacts, outputs and outcomes are reflected upon, reported and communicated in a timely and effective manner. Some of the key activities for the team will be supporting grant holders, designing, and delivering future funding opportunities, and capturing programme and project level impacts.
Purpose
The role will oversee the direct awards to the Natural History Museum for delivering the programme and for the digitisation grants awarded to the wider consortium. The role will report into the DiSSCo UK Team Head and will liaise with all members of the team. The role offers opportunities for travel, professional development, and the chance to build knowledge of stakeholder engagement and programme level communications. As this role will involve interaction with grant holders and stakeholders, as well as attendance at events and conferences, the role will involve regular travel, including overnight and international travel.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the grants funded through the DiSSCo UK funding calls, being the strategic lead for all funding opportunities.
- Support the team head with finance.
- Support the Impact and Engagement Manager with complex grant holder queries.
- Work collaboratively and effectively with DiSSCo UK colleagues at NHM, adapting and communicating to ensure shared goals are met and staff feel supported.
- Manage the DiSSCo UK project risk register, including reporting on risk to the DiSSCo UK Programme Board.
- Develop and maintain close working and strategic relationships with colleagues across AHRC and UKRI to align activities and priorities, and to ensure UKRI financial, grant management and recruitment processes are followed.
- Be involved in cross‑team working with delivery partners NHM, and the Research and Innovation Infrastructure Team on related portfolios.
- Work collaboratively with NHM colleagues to support the work of the DiSSCo EU European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC).
- Support on the delivery of future programme approvals including Gate Reviews.
- Line manage the Investment Manager, providing line and task management, and supporting their professional development.
- Develop and maintain an overview of developments in the digital research infrastructure and natural science collections landscape, strategic partners, and other funders, relevant to the remit of the role.
Person Specification
- Project management skills, including budget and/or financial management.
- Good understanding and experience of risk management; identifying, communicating, and mitigating risk in projects.
- Experience of using data and evidence to make decisions.
- Business Process: Ability to problem‑solve and find answers to difficult questions, and manage complex workloads with multiple deadlines and priorities.
- Experience of leading or managing activities with multiple internal/external partners. Some understanding of commercialisation within research projects and research areas would be helpful.
- Strong, collaborative team working skills, including collaborating with colleagues to prioritise tasks and maximise resources.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- Experience of managing or supervising staff and supporting staff development.
Benefits
- 30 days annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
- Flexible working options.
- Other benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable a great work life balance.
Equal Opportunity
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
About the Team
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) supports world‑class research that furthers our understanding of human culture and creativity, supporting research and postgraduate training in a wide range of subject areas from ancient history and heritage science to modern dance and digital content.
DiSSCo UK Senior Grants Operations Manager in Swindon employer: UK Shared Business Services Ltd
DiSSCo UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Swindon that fosters collaboration and innovation within the research community. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible working options, and generous benefits including 30 days of annual leave, DiSSCo UK prioritises work-life balance while engaging in meaningful projects that digitise natural science collections. Join us to be part of a transformative programme that not only enhances your professional skills but also contributes to significant advancements in scientific research.
Contact Details:
UK Shared Business Services Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land DiSSCo UK Senior Grants Operations Manager in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the field. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their goals and challenges, especially around grants and funding management. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family. Focus on articulating your experience with project management and stakeholder engagement, as these are key for the Senior Grants Operations Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace DiSSCo UK Senior Grants Operations Manager in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Senior Grants Operations Manager. We want to see how you can contribute to the DiSSCo UK programme, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant examples!
Showcase Your Project Management Skills:Since this role involves overseeing grants and managing risks, it’s crucial to demonstrate your project management expertise. Share specific instances where you've successfully managed budgets or led projects, as this will really catch our eye.
Communicate Clearly:Effective communication is key in this role, so make sure your application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Shared Business Services Ltd
✨Know Your Grants Inside Out
Make sure you understand the specifics of grant management and funding opportunities related to the DiSSCo UK programme. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description, as well as any recent developments in the digital research infrastructure.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your project management experience, especially in budget and financial management. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully identified and mitigated risks in previous projects, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Spirit
This role requires strong teamwork skills, so think of instances where you've worked effectively with diverse teams or stakeholders. Be prepared to share how you prioritised tasks and maximised resources in a collaborative environment.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex topics. Tailor your communication style to suit different audiences, as you'll need to engage with various stakeholders throughout the role.
