At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and coordinate exciting life science projects to drive impactful outcomes.
- Company: Join the Medical Research Council, a leader in innovative research.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a great pension scheme.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of continuous learning and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in life sciences while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and stakeholder engagement is essential.
The predicted salary is between 37841 - 37841 £ per year.
To support the effective management, delivery, and coordination of the UKRI Life Sciences Industrial Strategy programme. As the Life Sciences Project Manager / Benefits Manager, you will work with colleagues across UKRI to help deliver strategic government and societal priorities through the UKRI Life Sciences programme. You will play a key role in programme and project governance, ensuring that intended benefits and outcomes are successfully achieved.
You will be responsible for driving and overseeing the delivery of a set of projects, ensuring that objectives are clearly defined and delivered within agreed time, cost, and quality parameters. You will facilitate collaboration across teams and lead effective communication with stakeholders to support the design, development, and delivery of programme activities. You will provide matrix management oversight of relevant UKRI teams and work closely with teams supporting other Industrial Strategy programmes.
Key Responsibilities- Coordinating and delivering the relevant programmes various projects, dependencies (internal and external), key milestones, risks, governance, financial management, and benefits planning.
- Matrix working with teams across the councils for the delivery of activities.
- Coordinating and contributing to the development of Business Cases.
- Identifying and managing internal and external stakeholder relationships.
- Managing resources and direct planning scheduling, resourcing and estimating for complex and large-scale programmes.
- Overseeing risk and issue management and ensuring mitigations are in place and resolved.
- Developing project specific benefits realisation plans to ensure realisation of benefits for programmes through planning and designing and ensuring that project outputs meet programme requirements.
- Managing programme performance & controls including maintaining overall integrity and coherence of programme and governance framework to support the project. Plan and coordinate the delivery of programme assurance activities.
- Working with project leads to ensure dependencies are actively managed, and act as an arbiter and enforcer to resolve issues between the various elements of the programme.
- Seeking and managing approval of project budgets through appropriate governance, and tracking delivery within budget.
- Seek appropriate support, guidance and coaching from the project community. Show commitment to personal development. Promote effective individual and team performance.
- Working with colleagues across UKRI to ensure needs fit within the organisation.
- Support the delivery of continuous improvement interventions as required.
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
- Experience of project management of complex R&D programmes. (S&I)
- Experience of successfully engaging with a range of internal and external stakeholders. (S&I)
- Project management qualification such as APM project management qualification / PRINCE2 or transferrable skill set. (S)
- The ability to identify, analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative evidence and data to enable decision making, strategy development and implementation. (S/I)
- Management experience, coupled with the ability to mentor, motivate, support and inspire others to work effectively to deliver their own personal objectives and team goals. (I)
- The ability to review ways of working and suggest improvements, contributing to the development and implementation of new ideas and approaches. (I)
- An understanding of the wider strategic environment UKRI operates in and an interest or understanding of the research environment and related Government departments. (I)
- Excellent written communication skills, including a good working knowledge of MS Office packages. (S&I)
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
- An outstanding defined salary pension scheme.
- 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.
- Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
Project Manager / Benefits Manager IS8 Life Science Programme employer: UKRI
At the Medical Research Council, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. Located in Swindon, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, while our comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and a defined salary pension scheme, ensures a rewarding work-life balance. Join us to contribute to impactful life science projects and grow your career in a dynamic environment dedicated to advancing research and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager / Benefits Manager IS8 Life Science Programme
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like UKRI. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like UKRI!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Manager / Benefits Manager IS8 Life Science Programme
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show UKRI that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at UKRI.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that UKRI does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at UKRI. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into UKRI's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at UKRI. This shows your passion for the industry!
