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 our Why Join Us? - Information Page. The Role and Department Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands‑on support for all aspects of research and research‑related activity, including securing funding, working with partners, supporting knowledge exchange and impact, commercialisation, and ensuring good research practice. The Research Operations Team, which is the largest team within the Directorate, provides comprehensive support to academic and Professional Support Services (PSS) colleagues across the full lifecycle of a research project. The team delivers pre‑award, contracting, post‑award and consultancy support. This includes tailored financial and contractual advice from the earliest stages of planning, costing and pricing proposals through to efficient contract negotiation and robust financial management and compliance for awarded projects. This is a key management position within the Research Operations Team. The post holder will lead a team of approximately six Pre‑Award Research Grants and Contracts Managers, playing an essential role in staff development and training, acting as a point of escalation, and reviewing and implementing key business processes. A thorough understanding of the UK HEI research funding landscape is essential The post holder will also have responsibility for working alongside academic staff, project managing the preparation and submission of large complex bids by contributing to the proposal development, providing costings, and providing specialist advice on funder eligibility criteria whilst ensuring compliance with university policy. Reporting to the Head of Research Operations, you will be a key member of the Senior Management Team. The role will work closely alongside another Senior Pre‑Award Research Manager to ensure consistent leadership, effective workload management, and a coordinated, high‑quality pre‑award service across the institution It is essential that the post holder is highly organised, pays close attention to detail, and has a pro-active approach to problem-solving. The capability to prioritise and manage a busy and varied workload is crucial. A confident communicator, you will form close working relationships with the other members of the Operations Team, Research Development Team, Faculty Officials, Heads of Department, Directors of Research, Department Managers and other members of Professional Support Staff. This presents an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to move into a management role. The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. 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. To find out more, visit the project webpage: Boldon House - Durham University. Subject to business need, the working pattern can be arranged to suit the successful applicant.Dependent on experience, the successful applicant may need to work on campus for the majority of the time for the first three months 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'll receive 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, and 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 ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance. • We have 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. • We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. • Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16. • Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). • We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. • You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. • Various salary sacrifice schemes are 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. 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. Proven experience of providing comprehensive research bid development support within a UK Higher Education environment, including the preparation, review and management of complex costings and pricing in line with institutional and funder requirements (e.g., UKRI, major charities and government bodies). 3. Experience of leading the design, development and implementation of policies, procedures and operational frameworks, demonstrating the ability to interpret complex requirements and translate them into effective and pragmatic solutions 4. Experience of driving and supporting service improvements, including analysing service needs, identifying opportunities for enhancement, and leading change initiatives to improve efficiency, consistency and user experience 5. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues. 6. 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 7. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally 8. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems 9. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition. 10. Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines. 11. Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels. 12. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions. Desirable criteria 13. Track record of management and development experience and/or an enhanced management qualification applied across a large service team or teams 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 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 Sally Hewlett, Head of Research Operations. S.a.hewlett@durham.ac.uk Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery/Development • Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. • Develop and apply an in-depth understanding of university policy and external developments within the research funding landscape when carrying out your role. • Ensure that university and funder policy and regulatory standards are met and carried out in services you are responsible for. • Use your professional research funding knowledge and experience 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 pre award team 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 and make recommendations for improvement in reports to senior managers and committees. Team Development • Manage and develop the people, performance and resources of your team to ensure that a customer-focused service is provided. • Help shape the skills and expertise needed to deliver a professional service by recruiting, inducting and training team members and structuring the team in a 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 services. • Design creative and innovative communications to promote and increase engagement relating to the pre award team. • 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 team and the University at promotional events. • Identify opportunities to develop and increase participation in special interest groups. • 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.