School Research Manager

About the role

The School Research Manager role is essential for supporting all research activities within the School of the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine. This role involves assisting academic staff in managing research throughout the entire lifecycle of their awards, from inception to completion.

In addition to the research administration, you will also be managing a team of professional services staff who form part of the core services support. Developing excellent working relationships with central support services teams and build a trusted network of liaisons.  Support with school research strategy and policies to support the objectives of the school research actives.

The successful candidate will:

• Coordinate and oversee the research operations in the School, working closely with academic and research staff and the central university teams from application stage, grant set up and final reconciliation and reporting
• Work with colleagues to identify and promote funding opportunities and enhance application quality through peer review and mock interviews
• Improve financial sustainability through maximising cost recovery and overhead contributions
• Forge relationships with key partners and stakeholders
• Develop expertise in relevant funding schemes, terms and conditions of award
• Line manage and develop operational staff to support the delivery of research operations across the School
• Train and develop academic, research and professional services staff on systems and processes required throughout the life cycle of research grants including PURE, Business World, Worktribe, ResearchFish, ORCID and other platforms
• Work with colleagues across the Faculty and King’s to develop and implement policies and processes that improve our research administration
• Provide and analyse management information on the research portfolio and application rates within the School and identify areas requiring improvement
• Assist the School Lead (Research & Impact), School Manager and Faculty Research Manager in coordinating the School’s response and contribution to the Research Excellence Framework and other formal assessments/reports
• Foster a stimulating, innovative and inclusive cultural environment across the School enabling students and staff to thrive and develop, actively supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives that promote equality in research and aim to address key points of attrition, particularly for staff and students with protected characteristics. 

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. Experience working in HEI research administration and strong understanding of the UK HEI research environment 
2. Experience in managing research grants and contracts at pre- and post award stage 
3. Excellent numeracy skills and an ability to understand and analyse complex data 
4. Proven project management skills 
5. Strong communication skills – both written and spoken English, able to present and communicate ideas to a range of stakeholders, including senior members of academic staff 
6. Knowledge and expertise in using Office 365 tools, research and finance management software packages 
7. Strong inter-personal skills, influencing others, working collaboratively across complex institutions to achieve a shared objective 
8. Ability to work proactively and independently and manage/prioritise a diverse workload 
9. Ability to make informed decisions autonomously and use own initiative 

Desirable criteria

1. Knowledge of biomedical sciences research, along with relevant funders, their priorities and schemes
2. Higher degree or other qualification in a relevant subject
3. Experience of managing and developing staff
4. Understanding of open research principles and practices 

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