CEDA Principal Programme / Project Manager

RAL Space: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire

Contract Type: Fixed-Term (3 Years)

Hours: Full-Time or Part-Time (minimum 30 hours per week) (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn, and empowered to explore your curiosity.

CEDA - the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis - develop and run innovative data services and computational infrastructure to support environmental sciences research programmes in the UK and internationally. We operate the high-performance, globally unique JASMIN data analysis facility, providing storage and compute facilities to enable data-intensive environmental science. We manage the Earth Observation (EO), Atmospheric and Climate data for the Natural Environment Research Council’s Environmental Data Service (EDS) that supports tens of thousands of scientists around the world accessing petabytes of data. Highlights include a multi-petabyte archive of Sentinel Satellite data and the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) multi-model data archive which underpins the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) global assessments.

We play an influential role in international high-profile activities in our domain, including the Earth System Grid Federation and the Infrastructure for the European Network for Earth System Modelling (IS-ENES). We are regularly involved in work for the European Space Agency with examples including the data access and discovery systems for their Climate Change Initiative Open Data Portal and supporting the work of UK partners harnessing AI technologies in the development of a climate information system demonstrator for the ESA Digital Twin Earth Precursor project.

About the Role

We have an exciting new vacancy for a Principal Project/Programme Manager within our CEDA team. Primarily based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire, the successful candidate will have responsibility for effective leadership, management, delivery, and co-ordination of programmes and projects across CEDA. This includes oversight for major grants from our funders; management of complex software development projects involving multiple partners and stakeholders; project management for ongoing investment of hardware, software and services for the JASMIN computer facility and a portfolio of projects providing data science support, training and the development of new and innovative software and services for CEDA.

The role is a fixed 3-year term but with the possibility of conversion to a permanent post. It is primarily based at the Oxfordshire Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) with the option of hybrid working arrangements. We are a small, open, and friendly team of 30 staff and operate with a matrix management structure. National and international travel may be required to attend conferences and to co-ordinate work with our customers and partners.

You will need:

• Degree in a scientific or other numerate discipline
• Expert in principles and processes of project management with appropriate qualification and certification, e.g., Prince2, MSP, APM PMQ or another relevant Project Management qualification.
• Ideally 5+ years of experience in Project Management on a range of projects including large scale (10+ people) and work with subcontractors/external partners
• Demonstrable experience of effective leadership and management of multiple projects and tasks
• Experience supervising the work of others, with the ability to engage, motivate and coach them.
• Evidence of positive, proactive, and organised approach to work
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions independently.
• Extensive experience establishing and developing productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including to influence, change and impact decisions.
• Proven track record of writing proposals for funding and excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience working with software development projects
• Extensive experience in project management techniques, including use of relevant management resources, e.g. project monitoring software packages and other tools

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn – about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.

STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, a workplace nursery, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

Applicants who are unable to apply online should contact us by telephone on 07710 115815.