Research Delivery Project Officer (Drug Discovery) - Research and Knowledge Transfer - Medical and D

Role Summary

The University hosts a number of Drug Discovery projects which bring together research excellence within and between key themes and disciplines, spanning the Colleges of Medical & Dental Sciences, Life & Environmental Sciences, and Engineering & Physical Sciences, with links to external partners. Academic leadership is provided by Professor Ruth Roberts, Chair in Drug Discovery.

The post holder requires a strong sense of initiative, the ability to 'multi-task' and effective communication skills. They will be involved in providing dedicated support for drug discovery initiatives. The role is varied and includes maintaining diaries, databases and spreadsheets, arranging meetings, photocopying and filing, acting as a key administrator, within this area. The Project Officer will be responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the research projects whose support is under the Research Deliver Team, by working with Head of Research Delivery and the Academic Lead in Drug Discovery.

Main duties

• To support Project Boards, workstreams and working groups within an overall project or manage small projects on own.
• Support will include preparing progress reports for project boards (where they are held), project planning, and delivering on sub-projects/small projects which will be defined on a continuing basis.
• Draw up project plans, including key performance indicators, identifying milestones as appropriate.
• Contribute to milestone tracking/key performance indicator tracking.
• Assisting with stakeholder management and maintaining regular contact with stakeholders to understand requirements, and review, develop and propose solutions for any issues.
• Appropriately assess and escalate issues and risks.
• Assist in the management of project resources and/or budgets.
• Contribute to developing communications plans, presentations, and promoting the projects and outcomes of projects/workstreams.
• Maintain an up to date knowledge of project management methodologies.
• Determine short term priorities for work, and how to maximise quality, efficiency and continuity.
• Assist in the evaluation and review of projects.
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• Qualified to UK level 5 (e.g. Foundation degree, HND) or equivalent.
• Substantial experience of project management, preferably in an academic setting.
• Excellent IT skills, with working knowledge of standard Microsoft Office software and using custom systems and databases.
• Project management experience, preferably using project tools such as Prince 2
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Informal enquires to Claire Fenlon via c.m.fenlon@bham.ac.uk

Further particulars can be found here: http://www.download.bham.ac.uk/vacancies/jd/MDSFPs.pd