As the Senior Business Manager, you will play a crucial role in providing general business management functions to support the Pathogen Genomics and Food, Water, and Environmental (FW&E) Microbiology Services. These services are essential for protecting the public from microbiological threats related to contaminated food, water, and the environment. Location The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working - this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. • Role available at all core and scientific locations with home working available Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Porton Down, Colindale, Chilton or home working subject to approval The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy. Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available. Working Pattern - Full Time Main duties of the job Pathogen Genomics Services: • Our high-throughput and regional sequencing capacity enable UKHSA to • Support in detection of outbreaks and transmission of infections, characterizing and correlating Pathogen Genomics to virulence and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, and generating evidence for effective interventions. FW&E Microbiology Services: • Collaborate with Local Authorities, focusing on preventing and controlling incidents related to microbiological threats. • Provide evidence-based insights, contributing to interventions and prevention strategies for infections transmitted through food, water, or the environment. • Liaise with other agencies, including the NHS, to ensure safe water supplies and investigate outbreaks of food poisoning or Legionnaires disease. Key Responsibilities: • To provide general management functions to support the UKHSA laboratories. • Be responsible for ensuring the effective business and financial management of the full range of services provided by the UKHSA Pathogen Genomics and FW&E laboratories. This includes working across the network of UKHSA Laboratories • To work with colleagues who are based across the country at different UKHSA sites and/or who work remotely and perform a key role in influencing the purchasing and financial management of products and services throughout the regions in order to deliver a quality, value for money service as well as supporting contract management. About us We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all. Job responsibilities The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties: • Operate effectively in a flexible and demanding environment and proactively engage with UKHSA staff, consultants and contractors working on a variety of Genomic and FW&E topics. • Work effectively with colleague strategic partners working on other UKHSA Pathogen Genomics /FW&E related projects and programmes within Government, with Local Authorities, local partners and the NHS. • Provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, presenting information, to a wide range of stakeholders in a formal setting. Policy development and business planning: • As a member of the UKHSA Pathogen Genomics and FW&E management team(s), participate in policy making and implementation. • Disseminate, implement and review UKHSA Pathogen Genomics /FW&E policy. • Provide professional advice to the Deputy Director and Head of Business Operations and other senior colleagues, on planning and management of resources. Operational management/Governance: • Oversee team members to deliver requirements listed above and engage and liaise with key stakeholders, in particular. Project Management: • Working with the Public Health Microbiology Programme Manager/s • In the delivery of project plans, allocating tasks as appropriate, identifying risks, issues and dependencies, considering best practice and current options and ultimately making decisions in the best interest of the project. • To develop a comprehensive and cohesive plan which is consistent with the overall project timetable, meets the strategic direction of the team and minimises unnecessary disruption to stakeholders involved in the process and is operationally sound The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Person Specification Essential • Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working at a similar level in a specialist area • Post-graduate degree in Management Studies or equivalent • Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to masters level equivalent • Must understand the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on engagement • Should have an appreciation of the relationship between the Department of Health and individual provider and commissioning organisations • Ability to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change. Desirable • Comprehensive experience of project principles techniques and tools such as Prince 2 and Managing Successful Projects