Senior Science Portfolio Manager: Infrastructure

Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available

Senior Science Portfolio Managers provide essential project management to infrastructure projects across the entirety of the Medical Research Council (MRC)’s remit, supporting delivery of a growing Infrastructure Fund portfolio at the MRC. In overseeing the development of green book business cases, Senior Science Portfolio Managers also work extensively across UKRI, with central government and other research funders, and across the UK research and innovation community.

Reporting to the Head of Programme for Infrastructure, this role will suit an experienced project manager with an interest in science, or scientifically trained individuals with project management experience. You will get the opportunity to manage several high-profile projects and will lead the development of proposals for groundbreaking new infrastructure investments that support the medical sciences. You will be involved in overseeing the effective peer review of applications, gathering strategic advice from a range of partners, and providing advice to internal and external collaborators.

Your responsibilities

• Lead on the project management of at least one large infrastructure project within MRC’s portfolio, organising regular project board meetings and ensuring effective project delivery.
• Reporting to UKRI and other stakeholders on projects, including management of risks on clew (formally CGR) and working with FBPs on financial management of projects.
• Maintaining strong working relationships with external project teams and colleagues across MRC/UKRI, proactively managing communications, project updates and announcements.
• Management of the business case process for infrastructure projects where appropriate and contribution to scoping of new projects for funding.
• Assisting senior colleagues in the review of research fields and the development and implementation of scientific initiatives and policy.
• Assisting senior colleagues with the preparation of briefing documents and other materials for committees, responses to parliamentary questions and/or other external queries.
• Development and management of funding schemes, including management of MRC’s Equip panel and delivery of funding via UKRI’s The Funding Service (TFS) platform.
• Contribute to ongoing MRC Infrastructure Team shared activities, such as responding to remit queries, management of shared mailboxes and leading team initiatives when required.

Personal Specification

• Relevant degree or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Experience of planning, managing, and delivering projects or programmes.
• Understand the importance of managing and mitigating risks and issues and escalating where required.
• Ability to effectively negotiate with and influence partners at all levels.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to independently plan, prioritise and progress multiple workstreams.
• Excellent numeracy skills, with experience of handling budgets.
• Effective collaborator and team member.

Benefits

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org

How to apply:

For full details, please visit our careers site. Please submit an application (via the 'Apply' button above) including your CV and a Cover Letter that showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role.  

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