Research Manager

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

About the Role

As a Manager within Research and Innovation Services, you will support research grant development, and the management of awarded projects, providing strong funding advice to meet The Open University’s research ambitions. This exciting role will be part of a new vibrant cross-university RKE Operations team, whose primary aim is to support the development of high-quality bids and administration of awards to grow research income and ensure successful and compliant delivery.

Specifically, you will support the development of research and knowledge exchange (RKE) funding applications to a wide range of statutory and philanthropic funders, and of RKE awards. You will develop and share strong funder knowledge through communities of practice, build research capacities, and be a liaison point for a Faculty. You will contribute to the identification, dissemination, and implementation of good practice in research bid development and administration. You will interact with academics, professional service colleagues, and UK-based and global funding bodies, partners and collaborators to deliver high-quality pre- and post-award research support.

We are looking for someone with strong organisational, communication, interpersonal and negotiating skills, with openness to learning, and the ability to work flexibly and to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. You will bring directly relevant operational, administrative and project management knowledge and experience (including in budgeting/budget management), that will enable you to identify funding opportunities, understand the research funding environment, develop high-quality research funding applications, and manage approved projects with attention to detail and to fast-evolving funder priorities and requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Working closely with academic and professional services colleagues in the service and across the wider University you will be responsible for:

Operations and Finance

• Managing operations and compliance-related activity, providing advice and guidance, and being the main point of contact between the Service, Faculties, Schools, and other relevant central professional departments. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Supporting Researchers to manage projects that involve sensitive, classified or restricted research activity.
• Undertaking due diligence on organisations and some projects, advising academics on mitigation of identified risks
• Identifying projects or research groupings that have export control implications, provide advice and support them in obtaining, using and reporting on an export control licence.
• Review of visiting academics to ensure Trusted Research compliance.
• Provide research security advice to academics traveling overseas for research to ensure their research remains safe.
• Acting as the main administrative/operational link between academics, other areas of the University and external organisations.
• Establishing strong working relationships with key stakeholders in the Faculties, across the University and externally.
• Providing expert advice and practical support to academics on relevant Service, Faculty, institutional and funder frameworks, policies, and processes.
• As required, contributing to the preparation of relevant business cases, resource bids and costings on behalf of Research and Innovation Services
• Supporting the management of budgets including reconciling budget management spreadsheets, preparing forecasts and financial returns, ensuring optimum use of available budgets. Ensuring that correct financial procedures are being followed and highlighting and addressing any concerns or training requirements.

People Management (as required)

• Providing line management and/or matrix management of a team of Coordinators and/or Assistants in Research and Innovation Services including workload planning, appraisal and development, induction and training, monitoring progress and performance, and performance management.
• Organising team training and holding regular team and one-to-one meetings.
• Contributing to recruitment and selection across Research and Innovation Services.

Strategy, Planning, Policy and Governance (as required)

• Working with the Chair to manage the effective organisation of relevant committees, boards and meetings as required.
• Supporting and contributing to the preparation of business/meeting papers including Management Information, briefing papers and reports, Business Cases, and updates etc.
• Advising key stakeholders of University policy, guidance, and processes and ensuring procedures are adhered to.

Project Management

• Managing and contributing to the development, maintenance, and updating of project plans and project documentation; monitoring and reporting on progress; and assisting with the administration of all aspects of projects.

Wider Influence

Working collaboratively and making an active contribution to the wider work of the Service including:

• Representing Research and Innovation Services at meetings, ensuring that Service and University requirements are understood, and decisions are made that are in the best interest of the organisation.
• Contributing to peer networks and communities within the Service to support the identification, dissemination, and adoption of good practice and solving common issues and problems.

About You

Essential

• Degree level qualification (or equivalent) or relevant professional experience and a commitment to reflection and personal/professional development.
• Appropriate level of directly relevant operational, administrative or project management knowledge and experience (including in budgeting/budget management).
• Project management and/or high-level planning and organisational skills and experience with the ability to plan, schedule, and manage multiple priorities and deadlines while remaining flexible and calm under pressure.
• Communication, interpersonal and negotiating skills with the ability to communicate with clarity and confidence at all levels and to build trust, establish constructive relationships, and influence others over whom there is no formal authority to support shared goals.
• Experience, and/or the ability and willingness to motivate and manage others and to lead and contribute to effective team and collaborative working that supports the best collective outcomes.
• Ability to analyse and interpret policy, procedures, information and data; to introduce and assimilate ideas, assess their feasibility and take responsibility for their implementation, anticipating problems and developing practical solutions.
• An understanding of and a commitment to the University’s mission and Values in Action and knowledge of issues relevant to Higher Education.

Desirable

• A relevant accredited/professional qualification
• Experience of working in a Higher Education institution
• Experience of working in research and knowledge exchange-related operations
• Experience of managing and motivating teams and individuals (direct line management and/or matrix management)

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location

The role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office and there is an expectation that the role holder will work on campus up to 2 days per week. 

Next steps in the Recruitment process

If shortlisted, we anticipate interviews taking place on either 27th February or 2nd and/or 3rd March. 

Early closing date notification

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting Statement (Your Supporting Statement should be no more than 2 sides of A4. It should outline why you are interested in the role and provide examples of how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria listed above)

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.

Contact us

If you have any queries or questions about the recruitment process, or regarding your application, please contact: Careers@open.ac.uk.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential.  We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.  We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.