Project & Finance Manager

Job Purpose

The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) is Europe's largest academic-based group delivering railway science and education. With over 130 academics, researchers and professional support staff, BCRRE provides world class research and thought leadership within railways, and offers an expanding portfolio of high-quality education programmes.

BCRRE is lead partner in the newly-launched £92m UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) and the University of Birmingham will also be home to one of UKRRIN's four Centres of Excellence, the Centre of Excellence in Digital Systems (CEDS). Core to the success of both CEDS and BCRRE is strong project and financial management, dealing with projects funded from a wide range of sources, including research councils, Innovate UK, EU and directly-funded from industry.

BCRRE and CEDS projects bring together research excellence within and between key themes and disciplines, spanning the School of Engineering and often other Colleges and external partners. These projects are externally funded and represent a major investment in infrastructure and an opportunity to realise significant further external investment. These projects are all linked to the delivery of the BCRRE and UKRRIN research and innovation strategy.

The post-holder will act as a focal point and take a direct role in the oversight and management for designated projects in BCRRE/CEDS. The role will support these specific projects across the team but will also support the Head of Delivery and other colleagues in the development of new projects and their set-up. The post-holder will build significant links to internal and external collaborators, and provide an efficient and effective central point of contact and responsibility. This will involve leading and maintaining up to date communications with various stakeholders, reports, budgetary oversight, databases, leading the organisation and coordination of meetings, dissemination events and leading in the planning of future activities.

Person Specification

• Proven experience in financial/project management in the Higher Education sector.
• Experience of working in a Higher Education research environment and an understanding of or interest in the rail industry
• Experience of complex, long-term, multi-partner projects
• Proven relevant administrative skills with experience of coordinating and management support of projects in the higher education sector.
• Proven experience of grant management including compiling monthly expenditure reports and annual reports to funders.
• Experience of successful external funding proposal development.
• Demonstrably clear and articulate communication and high level interpersonal skills are an essential part of the role in order to establish the necessary key relationships, both internally and externally.
• Demonstrable experience of external communications, particularly producing promotional material; web-based and conventional.
• Proven experience working alongside academics to promote research.
• Detailed demonstrable awareness of the funding environment for research and knowledge transfer.
• Demonstrable ability to interpret and advise on complex guidelines, legal requirements and financial regulations.
• Proven excellent office management and organisational skills, including relevant practical experience of setting up project meetings, conferences and events
• Excellent IT skills, particularly in spreadsheets and database management, and the ability to develop and implement sophisticated output and outcome monitoring and reporting systems.
• Demonstrable accuracy and attention to detail, with methodical approach to work
• Ability to prioritise workloads in order to meet deadlines, and have demonstrable problem solving skills.
• Experience of working in large projects both nationally and internationally.
• Demonstrably excellent interpersonal, organisational, negotiation and multi-tasking skills to deal effectively with wide-ranging academic and industrial partners and external organisations. Demonstrably strong writing and minute-taking skills.
• Ability to work proactively, with little supervision, under pressure and to deadlines.
• Proven ability to deal with people and organisations at all levels.
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Experience of developing and monitoring project including Gantt Charts and databases
• Ability to work on own initiative and making decisions confidently

Closing Date 30 May 2019