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The Centre and Role The Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of technology and society. The Centre's research pursues one of the most urgent questions for contemporary societies: how do we wish to live with and alongside algorithmic technologies? The Centre is funded by a £10 million grant from the Leverhulme Trust, and includes researchers from across the social sciences, sciences, and humanities. Based in Mill Hill Lane in Durham City, UK, the Centre has partners in York, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, and Duke Universities. The Senior Manager will be a key member of the Centre's Executive, working closely with the Centre Director and Associate Directors to shape and deliver the Centre's strategic objectives. They will also work with key academic staff in Durham, liaise with the Centre's collaborating partners and international network, and manage the work of the Centre's administrative assistant and communications officer. They will be responsible for overseeing research development, as well as developing and coordinating the Centre's external relationships in academic, commercial, funding, and policy sectors. The research development aspects of the role will include: coordinating with partner institutions on delivery of research programmes; identifying research funding opportunities and supporting early career researchers in grant applications; working with the Directors on strategic planning; conducting reviews and evaluations; supporting researchers on project planning and delivery; and contributing to the development and promotion of associated training programmes. The postholder will also direct the Centre's external relations activities, including by: developing mutually beneficial national and international partnerships with academic, commercial, policy, and voluntary sector partners to develop research and collaboration opportunities and influence wider policy and funding agendas; working with the Directors to develop an engagement strategy and overseeing its delivery; providing expert advice and support to our researchers; and developing events, activities and relevant training. The programme management aspects of the role include: planning, management and monitoring of budgets; liaising with the Leverhulme Trust on progress and development; managing the work of the Centre administrative assistant; implementing the Centre's strategy for knowledge exchange. The Senior Manager will work with the Directors of the Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life and key strategic partners to develop and implement a strategy and plan of activity for cross-sector engagement and development of research opportunities. Other key working relationships will include the Centre Management Group, International Advisory and Challenge Board, key colleagues in Research and Innovation Services, as well as the other Leverhulme funded Research Centres. This role is based in the Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life in Mill Hill Lane, Durham City. There is some flexibility for hybrid-working, but a regular presence on site is necessary for staff supervision, meetings and operational matters. Some travel within the UK and internationally is likely including occasional overnight stays. The post is offered as a permanent, 0.8 FTE post. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: • 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year. • The University closes between Christmas and New Year - please include or delete if not applicable. • We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS). • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. • There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. • Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. • On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16. • Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). • The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community • Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. • A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. • If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience). 2. Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence service delivery, events and activities within the organisation. 3. Experience of project management in context of complex or interdisciplinary research. 4. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of stakeholders and colleagues, including more senior colleagues. 5. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University's reputation. 6. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements. 7. Track record of management and development experience and/or an enhanced management qualification applied across a large service team or teams. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 8. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally 9. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including [digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems]. 10. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition. 11. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines. 12. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels. 13. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions. Desirable criteria 1. Higher degree (Masters or PhD) or relevant professional qualification. 2. Excellent digital skills including Wordpress or other web editing software. 3. Excellent level of numeracy, with the ability effectively to collate, record, analyse, and present financial data. 4. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines. How to apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What you need to submit • A CV: and • A covering letter which outlines how you meet each of the criteria within the Person Specification. Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact - Professor Louise Amoore (Director) louise.amoore@durham.ac.uk Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery/Development • Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. • Develop and apply an in-depth understanding of university policy and external developments when carrying out your role. • Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met by the researchers [activities, processes and transactions] that are carried out in services you are responsible for. • Use your professional knowledge and experience as a research Centre Manager to resolve problems, shape processes and activities, develop systems and provide subject matter expertise and advice. • Use your managerial and leadership expertise to identify priorities and shape the Centre's development to achieve the required outcomes. • Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned policies, processes and standards. • Initiate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area. • Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed. • Manage quality and regulatory audits of systems and procedures. • Support the welfare, wellbeing and employment of your staff by providing professional guidance. Planning and Organisation • Contribute to the development of operational plans relevant to your area. • Oversee the analysis of data about the service levels provided by your area make recommendations for improvement in reports to senior managers and committees. • Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources. Team Development • Manage and develop the people, performance and resources of the Centre to ensure that a stakeholder focussed service is provided. • Help to shape the skills and expertise of researchers and professional service staff to deliver a professional Centre service; including by recruiting, inducting and training team members and structuring the team in way that will best meet operational and strategic priorities. • Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members. • Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on objectives and expectations and identify any development needs. • Handle most HR issues and support the welfare and wellbeing of your team referring more complex issues to specialist services or more senior managers. Communication/Liaison • Use your professional knowledge to identify and recommend priorities for long-term business plans. • Provide professional guidance and advice when managing [complaints, referrals and specialist] services. • Design creative and innovative communications to promote and increase engagement relating to [your service]. • Influence University policy, standards and governance by leading operational business meetings, working groups and sub-committees. • Create strong working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and positively influence the University's reputation. • Represent the Centre and University at external conferences and events, and at Leverhulme Trust events. • Identify opportunities to develop and increase participation in special interest or stakeholder groups. • Any other reasonable duties. • Provide expert professional, managerial and leadership expertise. • Manage and develop service, infrastructure and people performance within the context of research development and engagement. • Recruit, induct, train and develop new team members. • Help to shape the skills and expertise of researchers and PSS staff to meet operational and strategic goals. • Manage partnerships with key stakeholders and external organisations from different sectors including funders, universities, commercial entities and policy organisations. • Contribute to the scoping and resource planning across a range of research and research support activities at operational and strategic level. • Lead on the design, implementation and monitoring of research standards, procedures and systems to ensure effective working and continuous improvement. • Promote and develop a deep understanding of organisational and funder policy and external developments. • Ensure all activities, processes and transactions are accounted for accurately and promptly to meet regulatory and professional service and policy standards. • Contribute to processes for managing the integrity and security of commercially and professionally sensitive and personal data. • Lead internal and external meetings, events, working groups and sub-committees at to influence governance, organisational policy and standards for the Centre. • Be responsible for allocating and monitoring financial budgets and resources for Centre activities. • Analyse stakeholder feedback and ensure progress against Centre objectives. • Work with team members and stakeholders to promote an open, fair, inclusive and supportive culture, building and maintaining excellent working relationships. • Provide professional guidance to colleagues and partners regarding research operations keeping abreast of current issues and best practice in the sector, demonstrating an appetite for innovation and a creative approach to problem solving • Working with the Directors and Communications Officer, develop the Institute's external profile, partnerships and communications strategy ensuring high levels of quality and professionalism. • Organise events, training and other activities to further the aims of the Centre's strategy for engagement and research development. • Maintain an oversight of the Centre and its activities and collate performance metrics to provide reports for higher level managers and committees. • Represent the Centre and University at external events and contribute to meetings and conferences. • Develop external relations, identify and develop opportunities for practitioners and non-academic partners and other stakeholders to engage with Centre research projects and other activities. • Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.