The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on ourWhy Join Us? - Information Page. The Role and Department Project Development and Delivery Manager (Commercialisation, Economic Development and Partnerships Team) The Research and Innovation Services (RIS) team provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development. This role sits within the Commercialisation, Economic Development and Policy (CEDP) function within RIS focusing on providing a comprehensive support service and efficient structuring, pricing, governance and administration across a comprehensive range of key University Commercialisation and Economic Development Projects. The post holder will report to the Senior Manager of Economic Development (who sits within the CEDP team). The role requires high levels of expertise and understanding of the structuring, governance, financial management and administration of large-scale multi-partner economic development and commercialisation projects covering for example: Submission of Project Claims to a high-quality standard. Completion the revision and re-profiling of project budgets, managing both capital and revenue expenditure from diverse funding sources with varying eligibility criteria and regulations. Acting as the primary interface with administrative offices of external funders, offering high-level support for financial and output claim queries. Providing an effective service to projects, managing changes, re-profiles, extensions, and financial adjustments. Offer briefing and recommendations to Case Officers and project personnel. Acting as the main contact point for ongoing delivery and performance queries, liaising with key funding agency personnel. Administer contractual changes and proactively identify potential issues, recommending contingency plans to prevent financial losses and reputational damage. Conducting due diligence on project-related information, staying updated on financial regulations and compliance requirements. Provide advice and guidance on the interpretation of funding agency criteria, including national Treasury, UKRI, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and devolved government authorities. Coordinating and overseeing inspections from funding agencies, ensuring audits are arranged and conducted in line with contract terms and conditions, in collaboration with specialized teams. Overseeing the compliant delivery of funder audits and checks, both pre-visit and ensuring that recommendations are appropriately actioned post-visit. Coordinating and ensuring effective servicing of relevant project meetings, including the preparation of agendas, papers, minutes, and follow-up actions. Co-ordinating and supporting programme management and governance structures and providing oversight of administrative support. Provide effective support on developing new bids for funding. The base location for this role is our exciting new professional services hub based at Boldon House. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. We are currently working to a hybrid working model, with a minimum of 2 days per week onsite. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. 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 We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the 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 knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of the structuring, governance, financial management and administration of large-scale multi-partner economic development and commercialisation projects including: Submission of project claims to a high-quality standard. Completion the revision and re-profiling of project budgets, managing both capital and revenue expenditure from diverse funding sources with varying eligibility criteria and regulations. Acting as the primary interface with administrative offices of external funders, offering high-level support for financial and output claim queries. Providing an effective service to projects, managing changes, re-profiles, extensions, and financial adjustments. Offer briefing and recommendations to Case Officers and project personnel. Acting as the main contact point for ongoing delivery and performance queries, liaising with key funding agency personnel. Administer contractual changes and proactively identify potential issues, recommending contingency plans to prevent financial losses and reputational damage. Conducting due diligence on project-related information, staying updated on financial regulations and compliance requirements. Provide advice and guidance on the interpretation of funding agency criteria, including national Treasury, UKRI, UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and devolved government authorities. Coordinating and overseeing inspections from funding agencies, ensuring audits are arranged and conducted in line with contract terms and conditions, in collaboration with specialised teams. Overseeing the compliant delivery of funder audits and checks, both pre-visit and ensuring that recommendations are appropriately actioned post-visit. Coordinating and ensuring effective servicing of relevant project meetings, including the preparation of agendas, papers, minutes, and follow-up actions. Co-ordinating and supporting programme management and governance structures and providing oversight of administrative support. Provide effective support on developing new bids for funding. 3. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements. 4. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers 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. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 6. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally. 7. Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems. 8. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition. 9. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines. 10. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions. Desirable Criteria 11. Experience of working in Higher Education. 12. Project management qualification or equivalent experience. 13. Experience of implementing new processes and procedures and involvement with future changes for a service area. 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 supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Karl Gardiner (Economic Development Senior Manager): karl.c.gardiner@durham.ac.uk. Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery/Development Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University's frameworks and regulations. Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise, in line with the University's policies, regulations and values. Manage the delivery of structuring, governance, financial management and administration of large-scale multi-partner economic development and commercialisation projects across the University to a high standard. Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from colleagues, project funders and delivery partners and contribute to ideas and service improvements. Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources. Look for ways to improve processes, techniques and outputs/results across all areas of your work. Identify any learning needs that should be met by the service and design activities and arrange any training. Planning and Organisation Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by the CEDP team. Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities ofthe CEDP team. Seek feedback from colleagues, project funders and delivery partners so that the service is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements. Analyse data on the level of service being provided by the CEDP team to recommend areas for future improvement. Meet the development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required. Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services. Communication/Liaison Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University's policies, procedures and regulations are complied with. Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees. Coordinate and organise committees and other business meetings and deal with any related complaints. Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes. Use your expertise to provide training or guidance to other stakeholders. Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers. Any other reasonable duties. Useful links If you would like further information you may find the following will help: https://www.durham.ac.uk/discover/excellence-in-entrepreneurship/latest-news/durham-university-named-in-national-spin-out-company-best-practice/ https://www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/latest-news/2025/05/north-east-universities-awarded-89m-to-boost-regional-research-commercialisation/:~:text=A new Durham-led project,economic, social and environmental impact https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/helping-business/ 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.