SMA Care UK Project Manager

Salary: £33,966 to £36,024 with progression to £44,263 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 30 May 2024

The Role 

We are looking for a talented and motivated individual to join an international, multidisciplinary team working in the area of translational research for neuromuscular diseases. You will be based at the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (JWMDRC) at Newcastle University. You will play a key role managing the SMA Care UK project. 

You will have excellent knowledge of good project management principles and evidence of ability to set up, plan and execute national projects with different stakeholders involve. 

This is a full time, fixed term contract until 31.03.2026

The post will be based at the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (JWMDRC) at Newcastle University. 

Informal enquires to Sonia Segovia, Sonia.Segovia@newcastle.ac.uk.
For further information please see: https://adultsmareach.co.uk/

Key Accountabilities

• Act as the main point of contact for all parties involved in the project on a day-to- day basis, communicating clearly with investigators, project teams, collaborators and stakeholders and University professional services staff
• Prepare detailed study/research timelines and milestones, monitoring progress on a continuous basis, with a clear understanding of any impact on the critical path
• Actively manage project progress in association with the research, support and clinical teams to achieve milestones within set timescales.  This may involve collaboration with other organisations e.g. funders, Universities, NHS Trusts and industry partners
• Ensure the early identification of potential risks to meeting required objectives and coordinate the development of plans to recover the situation where possible, liaising with the funding body as appropriate, keeping the Investigator and research team fully appraised throughout
• Manage the project finances including: forecasting; liaison with the University’s Contract Financial Management Team and,where appropriate, the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Trust finance departments  to ensure financial transactions and reporting are managed in line with the contract and income is maximised; and holding regular meetings with project leads to ensure effective budget management
• Organise regular project update meetings, maintaining appropriate communication with all stakeholders and ensuring actions are created in line with the project objectives/timeline.  Ensure agreed actions are undertaken by those assigned responsibility
• Establish, organise and contribute to project management groups as required to support the project e.g. Advisory Boards, Steering Groups, inter- disciplinary working groups
• Provide support for new grant applications and dissemination activities as required. Undertake other reasonable duties or responsibilities as requested
• Work as part of the JWMDRC team to develop common ways of working and promote the use of best practice in project management

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

•    Advanced knowledge of project management and relevant business operating procedures
•    Knowledge of project management methodology
•    Experience of working in a project management role
•    A proven ability to manage projects to defined deliverables and meet audit requirements
•    Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and verbally
•    Excellent organisational and time management skills
•    Excellent financial management skills
•    Excellent IT skills, including competent use of Microsoft Office including MS Project, Excel and Access

Attributes and Behaviour

•    An ability to work to deadlines, organise own workload and work independently
•    The ability to work across department and cross-organisational boundaries to build effective relationships both internally and externally
•    Attention to detail
•    A proven ability to be adaptable, innovative and proactive in project work
•    A positive and supportive attitude; ability to work flexibly and cooperatively with others
•    Enthusiasm to undertake training and learn new skills.
•    Flexibility with respect to working hours
•    Willingness to travel outside of the Newcastle area and when permitted internationally.

Qualifications

•    1st degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in a relevant discipline and significant experience of working in project management

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 27081