PPMS Manager (Implementation & Support Specialist)

About the Role
The University of Cambridge has made a strategic investment in Stratocore’s Pasteur Platform Management System (PPMS) to unify and enhance the management of research equipment across its institutions. As PPMS Manager, you will lead the rollout and ongoing management of the University’s enterprise PPMS, which is fully integrated with the Cambridge University finance system (CUFS). This role is pivotal in enabling efficient, transparent, and sustainable management of shared research facilities, supporting world-class research across Cambridge.

You will play a critical role in achieving widespread uptake of the CUFS-integrated PPMS instance by administering the enterprise licence in line with governance from the PPMS Oversight Committee, onboarding all suitable facilities, and providing ongoing support to maximise value for money and operational benefits. You will also maintain University-wide databases, resolve technical issues, and support departmental leadership in promoting beneficial cultural changes—particularly around financial transparency and sustainability.

What You Will Do

• Administer the University-wide CUFS-integrated PPMS instance, acting as 'SuperAdmin' for systems maintenance and technical support.
• Onboard and train facility managers, equipment leads, and technical support staff, mapping facility needs to PPMS functions and applying Lean principles to maximise efficiency.
• Guide departments in bringing their facilities to operational compatibility with PPMS processes, supporting both new and migrating facilities.
• Maintain validated financial account and user/group databases, troubleshooting issues and ensuring accurate records.
• Create custom reports and operational dashboards, providing progress updates to stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Chair stakeholder working groups, relay end-user needs to the PPMS Oversight Committee, and collaborate with Stratocore to develop new features.
• Work closely with the PPMS Systems Integration Specialist to safeguard essential functionality during the transition to Oracle Fusion.
• Document and report all process changes for technical audit and user training.
• Lead the transition to a cost-recovery model for the managed PPMS enterprise licence, ensuring ongoing funding and continuity for departmental facility operations.
• Support other in-house equipment-sharing IT tools or software-based processes as required.

What You Will Bring

You will have:

• A degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Proven track record of delivering IT-based support in a complex organisation, ideally in higher education.
• Experience using complex platforms (e.g., Stratocore PPMS, Oracle, CUFS).
• Understanding of research facility operations and governance in a university environment.
• Experience training colleagues and providing ongoing customer service support.
• Strong diplomacy, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Excellent communication and engagement abilities, with confidence working at all levels.
• Project management and analytical skills, with attention to detail and adherence to policies.
• Willingness to support other equipment-sharing IT tools.

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of shared research facilities operations.
• Experience engaging with software suppliers.
• Experience leading change management.
• Familiarity with data analytics tools (e.g., PowerBI, Alteryx).
• Knowledge of project management or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with UK HEI finance workflows and account structures (e.g., grants, tasks, expenditure types, General Ledger Cost Centres).

Working arrangements:

The role is predominantly office-based with some flexibility for hybrid work.

How to Apply

Via the 'Apply' button above

Informal enquiries:

Mr Gregory Strachan - gs398@cam.ac.uk

Additional information regarding the role may be found within the Further Particulars. Your application, along with your CV and covering letter, should clearly set out how you meet the criteria listed in the person specification (the skills and experience required for the role) along with relevant examples. Candidates will be shortlisted based upon these criteria.

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