Business Manager

Hours: Full time or Part time (at least 0.8 FTE)

Contract Type: 12 months fixed term

Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire.

As a Business Manager, you will advise on the delivery of Opportunities for funding and support NERC in the analysis and management of our portfolio of research. You will engage with the academic community, supporting applications for research and innovation funding, providing advice and updating guidance. Your will help maintain the UK’s position at the forefront of research and innovation. You will be involved in developing and delivering NERC and UKRI investments aligned with the objectives in NERC’s Forward Look (NERC Forward Look – UKRI).

You will have strong organisational, team-working and time-management skills, and excellent attention to detail. You will be self-motivated, quick to learn and flexible enough to manage a diverse and rapidly changing portfolio of activities. You will be expected to follow complex processes to deadlines whilst advocating for and promoting good practices and efficient ways of working.

What we offer

In return, this varied role will broaden your skills by giving you the opportunity to manage your own workload, projects and activities. You will play a key role in managing NERC funding operations and liaising across UKRI to structure workflows, set policy, develop training and share ideas in a strongly team-based organisation.

Key activities may include but are not limited to:

• Supporting the development, design and management of funding Opportunities and activities.
• Taking responsibility for the operational delivery of funding within UKRI.
• Contributing to the coordination of team activities, providing leadership and support to individuals to help achieve NERC’s delivery goals.
• Supporting the end-to-end process from launching Opportunities to making awards, liaising with programme leads and aligning with UKRI reporting requirements for outcomes.
• Building strong relationships both within UKRI, and with relevant external communities and stakeholders in the UK.
• Identifying and implementing Continuous Improvement ideas to improve the quality and efficiency of all aspects of the role.
• Contributing to effective delivery of NERC projects and cross-council collaborative research agendas. 

Person Specification

The below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I)

• Degree, or an equivalent level of relevant qualifications or expertise. (S)
• Knowledge or experience of the research and/or innovation landscape in the UK and the science areas and/or communities supported by NERC. (S&I)
• Ability to absorb, evaluate and communicate complex information. (S&I)
• Planning and organisational skills, ability to prioritise and manage complex activities. (S&I)
• Ability to work flexibly on own initiative, as well as contribute well to team working. (S)
• Confidence in influencing effectively (both verbal and written media) across teams, wider organisation and external stakeholder communities. (S&I)
• Effective analytical skills with the ability to learn new tools, analyse data and derive meaningful information accurately. (S)

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!

For further information on our benefits please see:

Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

Please apply online with your CV and a covering letter via the 'Apply' button above. If you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org

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