Programme Manager SOC ACE Research Programme - College of Social Sciences - 107603 - Grade 8 in Birmingham

Job Description

The Programme Manager will lead the day‑to‑day operational management and delivery of the SOC ACE research programme. The role supports the Director in ensuring programme compliance with FCDO requirements and University of Birmingham policies, manages the programme budget, finances and reporting, leads internal and external communications, and oversees the final operational closure of the programme.

Position Details

School of Government
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Grade: 8
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to September 2027 (internal secondment available)
Starting salary: £47,389 to £56,535, potential progression to £63,606 on‑call post

Closing Date

12th July 2026

Role Summary

The Programme Manager is responsible for budget management, operational administration, programme controls, information management, funder reporting, line management of the programme team, and internal communications. The role will also supervise the operational closure of the programme in line with UOB and FCDO requirements.

Responsibilities

• Programme and Funder Management
  • Ensure the programme is managed in line with FCDO’s Programme Operating Framework and the accountable grant terms.
  • Review annual delivery plans with the Director, providing financial information and advice to balance delivery, risk, results and budget.
  • Lead preparation and submission of all funder reporting (quarterly, annual and programme closure).
  • Maintain programme‑related trackers with timely and accurate information to enable effective control, accountability and reporting.
  • Maintain the relationship with FCDO’s Programme Manager, responding to queries promptly.
• Research Grant Portfolio Oversight and Management
  • Ensure delivery of the annual research plan on time, on budget, and to the required quality and compliance standard.
  • Coordinate research grant funding award process, ensuring risk management is integrated into agreements and appropriate approvals are sought.
  • Manage FCDO and UOB compliant due diligence procedures on all research grantees.
  • Oversee, guide and support the Programme Officer in grant administration, including reporting, financial reporting, risk escalation and management information capture.
  • Maintain effective working relationships with grantees, building a culture of partnership, support and trust.
  • Manage the closure of research grants, ensuring final performance data is captured.
  • Coordinate the review of research outputs, including peer review and libel review where necessary, ensuring accurate version control and document archiving.
  • Manage directly delivered SOC ACE activities such as stakeholder workshops, conference attendance and events.
• Finance, Operations and Administrative Management
  • Own and manage the SOC ACE programme budget, with activity‑based budgeting, regular budget vs. actual analysis and risk‑informed forecasting.
  • Escalate financial risks and issues to the Director with recommendations for resolution.
  • Approve all programme‑related expenditure, consulting the Director where necessary.
  • Manage and oversee programme expenditure, ensuring compliance with UOB’s spend‑related policies (procurement, expenses, payment procedures) and maintaining programme‑level records.
  • Lead preparation and submission of quarterly invoices to FCDO, drawing accurate data from accounting systems and liaising with the Post Award team for finalisation.
  • Manage supplier contracts, ensuring clarity of requirements, effective communication and delivery accountability.
• Results, Monitoring and Impact
  • Maintain systems for capturing outputs, outcomes and impacts from funded research grants and activities.
  • Track publications and additional outputs generated by grant recipients.
  • Lead and support the development of impact stories and case studies based on funded research.
  • Monitor performance against programme logframe targets and support feasible but ambitious updates.
  • Work with the Director to develop REF impact case studies for submission to UOB’s Impact team.
• Research Communications and Engagement Support
  • Oversee core communication actions at the programme level to ensure external‑facing information is accurate, appropriate and high‑quality.
  • Update, maintain and quality‑check the SOC ACE website as a one‑stop shop, ensuring timely publication of research and related outputs.
  • Monitor and support research communications activities such as webinars, podcasts, blog series and responsive communication products.
  • Oversee and monitor the SOC ACE social media presence, ensuring quality promotion of research and activities.
  • Develop and distribute the SOC ACE Newsletter, contributing information in a timely manner as per SOP.
  • Support the Director in responding to ad‑hoc requests for tailored high‑quality communication outputs.
  • Promote SOC ACE research and activities across UOB through inclusion in College Briefs and School Staff Round‑Ups.
• Human Resource and Team Management
  • Plan and manage human resources within the programme, ensuring resource planning meets requirements.
  • Support effective and inclusive team management, enabling smooth internal communication and collaboration.
  • Actively promote equality, diversity and inclusion by creating an inclusive working environment and supporting staff with diverse needs.
  • Line‑manage the Programme Officer, Project and Finance Officer, Senior Research Communications Officer and Administrative Assistant, ensuring they are supported in their roles.

Person Specification

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in programme management of research programmes.
• Understanding of research granting programmes.
• Proven ability to manage and interpret complex, dynamic budgets.
• Proven financial acumen and ability to analyse financial information to support decision‑making.
• Ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders, including managing upwards.
• Proven understanding of operational and financial compliance requirements.
• Ability to manage teams and individuals in an inclusive and supportive manner.
• Ability to plan and organise a large workload to meet both internal and external deadlines.
• Excellent English writing.

Essential Competencies

• Risk awareness and sound professional judgment.
• Ability to interpret and synthesise information for sound decision‑making.
• Excellent organisational skills and time management.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent ability to work proactively with little supervision.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.

Desired

• Experience managing FCDO‑funded programmes.
• Understanding or appreciation of political sensitivities and risk.
• Experience of UOB internal operational policies and procedures.

Application

Informal enquiries to Lyndsey Hand, email: l.c.hand@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want your genuine communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools may be viewed as generic and may not progress to interview.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing barriers experienced by some groups and hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations, alongside a Sustainability strategy to create a fairer university.