Project Manager

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 46,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

41 days leave per year

Pension benefits

Job summary

University of Glasgow seeks an experienced administrator to manage the POLART and UBDC project portfolio, coordinating a multi-institution research programme, budgets, events and communications. The role reports to the Centre Director and POLART PI, with workload assigned by senior leadership.

The post is a part-time, fixed-term appointment with a Grade 7 salary and generous leave entitlements. Applicants should have HE sector experience and strong budgeting, governance and stakeholder

Qualifications

• A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 or equivalent.
• Thorough understanding of programme and project management methodologies.
• Desirable formal project management qualifications (SCRUM Master, PRINCE2, MSP).
• Experience of managing multi-partner research projects and international collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational and administrative affairs for Centre POLART and related projects.
• Coordinate external funding opportunities and budgeting processes.
• Supervise administrative staff and manage workloads.
• Support development of income generation opportunities and partnerships.
• Manage budget monitoring, invoicing, and resource reporting.
• Plan and monitor project workstreams and partner liaising.
• Oversee seminars, conferences and events logistics and data handling.
• Lead communications strategy and web/social media content.

Skills

Portfolio management

Budget management

Analytical skills

Leadership

Stakeholder liaison

Website management

Social media

Multi-tasking

Reporting

IT skills

Cross-organisational coordination

Education

Higher education qualification or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Finance systems

Job description

JobPurpose

To manage, coordinate and administer the portfolio of projects and activities of the Urban Big Data Centre (UBDC) and the ERC/ UKRI funded research project POLART. Both UBDC and POLART focus on the production of evidence for policy, albeit from two different, complementary angles: UBDC has been a dynamic national research hub for over 11 years, championing the use of new sources of smart data and evidence to inform policymaking and enhance the quality of urban life. UBDC is currently undertaking a wide range of projects of varying sizes and from a range of funders, working with partners in the UK and internationally, including government, research councils, and the third sector, as well as policy and practice.

POLART (‘Art and Policy in the Global Contemporary: examining the role of the arts in the production of public policy’) is a 5-year research project that brings together an interdisciplinary research team of art, humanities and social science researchers to explore visual and performing arts as a rich field of alternative sources of expert knowledge for policy making.

The role supports and advises the Centre's Director and POLART PI and project team to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of objectives, projects and activities, which encompasses oversight of a complex multi-institutional research and knowledge exchange programme; management of a combined +£5m budget; and the coordination and delivery of a range of projects, events and other initiatives.

The role reports to the College Research Operations Manager as part of the College team supporting Centres and Projects. Workload will be assigned via the Centre Director and POLART PI.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead and manage the Centre’s/ POLART’s operational and administrative affairs, including ensuring the effective delivery and management of a range of research projects and milestones.

2. Working closely with the UBDC Director/Deputy Director and POLART PI to co-coordinate and respond to external funding opportunities, including supporting budget development, approvals and submissions.

3. Supervision and workload allocation and line management of a small group of administrative staff providing support to research projects at the Centre.

4. As a member of the Centre Management/ POLART team, provide advice and support across all aspects of the Centre’s/ POLART operational activities, including supporting the development of income generation opportunities.

5. Working with College Research Support Office to manage, disburse, monitor and report on the Centre’s/POLART’s budget and resources, including coordinating with partners and funders regarding invoicing.

6. Plan, coordinate, manage and monitor the Centre’s/POLART’s work-streams and portfolio of projects and initiatives, including liaising with external partners.

7. Oversee the Centre’s/POLART’s programme of seminars, conferences, training events and other events. Manage the logistics of the workshops, coordinating the facilitators and managing all data and materials that are required or generated during these events.

8. Oversee the Centre’s/POLART’s external and internal communications, working closely with the Communications & Engagement colleagues at the College of Social Sciences.

9. Lead on the development and delivery of a Communication Strategy, for example setting up and maintain POLART’s web and social media presence producing briefings, blogs, podcasts, explainer videos and similar material,and providing promotional content to other channels such as the University’s Marketing teams, as required by the research team.

10. Manage the Centre’s/POLART’s internal information-sharing and data management systems and procedures.

11. Establish and sustain project management processes and key project documents (e.g. report writing) to ensure a record of contacts, events, outputs, and other project activities are kept up-to-date, accessible and accurate.

12. Act as the principal administrative liaison point for the Centre/POLART with its key funders and stakeholders, leading on the provision of information about and reporting on the Centre’s activities and operations.

13. Undertake any other relevant duties as directed by the Centre Director, POLART PI or Head of College Operations.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 (Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role, or ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills through personal development and progression in a similar related role(s).

A2 Thorough understanding and knowledge of programme and project management methodologies.

Desirable

B1 Formal project management qualification (s) (SCRUM Master, PRINCE2 Practitioner; MSP Practitioner certificate or similar).

B2 Familiarity with the challenges of working within a complex, multi-partner research project.

B3 Knowledge and experience of the challenges and opportunities of working on equitable international collaborations.

B4 Some familiarity with research/ policy relationship, as well as familiarity with cultural policy and arts sector contexts.

Skills

Essential

C1 Planning, management and delivery of a portfolio of projects and initiatives.

C2 Experience of setting, managing and monitoring budgets and resources.

C3 Excellent qualitative and quantitative analytical skills.

C4 A very high level of personal initiative with the ability to work proactively and oftenautonomously.

C5 Proven ability to develop effective working relationships with colleagues and external partners.

C6 Experience of website content management and social media communications.

C7 Ability to multi-task, assess priorities and work flexibly according to changing priorities.

C8 Proven ability to produce reports, presentations and technical document for a variety of audiences.

C9 Excellent attention to detail and to the production of accurate, high-quality outputs.

C10 Excellent digital and IT skills, including use of project management, collaboration and communication/design tools and software.

C11 Proven ability to liaise and cooperate across organisational and geographical boundaries.

C12 Leadership and motivational skills.

C13 Effective negotiation and diplomacy skills.

C14 Ability to manage confidentiality and sensitive information appropriately.

Experience

Essential

E1 In depth experience of successfully managing and delivering projects in the Higher Education or relevant experience.

E2 Experience of supervising administrative staff.

E3 Experience of using corporate financial and administrative business systems, including experience of research council finance systems

E4 Experience of budgetary management and monitoring and ability to monitor budget and produce financial reporting as per the requirements of the funder and the university

E5 Experience of managing project deliverables, KPIs, and writing reports.

E6 Experience of all aspects of research communication and events organisation.

E7 Experience of dealing with processes and procedures for partnership working and public engagement.

Desirable

F1 Experience of line managing administrative staff.

F2 Experience of research administration in the Higher Education sector and/or of supporting the development of public policy in local, regional or national government body or similar.

F3 Experience with using software to support collaborative work and project management (e.g., MS teams, MS project, Trello, Miro, GitHub).

F4 Experience of workshop facilitation.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum pro rata.

This post is part time (35 hours per week) and fixed term for up till the 31.10.2028

Closing date: 23:45 30th September 2026

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under‑represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.