Operations Manager

Are you ready to make a significant impact in the world of health, public health, and social care research? We are seeking an effective and motivated Operations Manager to join our team at the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Research Support Service (RSS) Hub and Specialist Centre for Social Care. This is your chance to be part of one of eight prestigious Hubs and Specialist Centres in England, providing essential support to researchers and driving forward high-quality research funding applications.

What We Offer:

• Personalised Support: Engage in one-to-one and group support sessions, typically conducted virtually, to guide researchers through the complexities of funding applications.
• Targeted Events: Organise and participate in events that focus on specific research funding streams or areas of need, offering invaluable insights on how to secure funding for health, public health, or social care research.

Your Role: You will be at the heart of our service, working closely with the Co-Directors to ensure smooth and effective operations. You will manage multiple projects requiring excellent communication skills and a flexible, responsive approach. Your leadership will ensure that our service meets its objectives and maintains the highest quality of support for researchers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Be a core member of the senior management team, overseeing the delivery of strategic and operational objectives.
• Collaborative Efforts: Work with Co-Directors, Service Executive Team, other Hubs, Specialist Centres, and the NIHR RSS National Collaborative to achieve our service goals.
• Team Management: Lead the central coordinating team, develop and evaluate processes to meet client needs, maintain consistency, and oversee the service budget.
• Innovative Systems: Review and develop systems to monitor objectives and milestones, ensuring regular evaluation and promotion of service impact.
• Support Programmes: Assist strategic theme leads in delivering service work programmes, support staff development, and oversee national RSS work package activities.

Why Join Us? The Division of Health Research within the Faculty of Health and Medicine offers a supportive and friendly environment that promotes a healthy work-life balance. We are committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies and have held a Silver Athena SWAN award since 2014 for our dedication to gender equality in higher education and research. Secondments will be considered.

Position Details:

• Start Date: Immediate
• Flexible Working: Open to discussing part-time and hybrid working arrangements (minimum two days a week at the Health Innovation Campus, Lancaster University).
• Contract: Indefinite, contingent on external funding, currently ending on 30th September 2028.

Join us and be part of a team that is making a real difference in health and social care research. For more information, please contact Catherine Gedling, Co-Director, at c.gedling@lancaster.ac.uk.

Type / Role:

Subject Area(s):

Location(s):