Project Manager (Research Professional Futures)

TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Tees Valley is seeking an experienced Project Manager to oversee a transformative £4.5m initiative. You will coordinate a multi-institutional collaboration across the UK, driving change in the research system and engaging with key stakeholders. Ideal candidates will possess strong project management experience and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Strong project management experience is required.
• Excellent communication skills to interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Passion for driving change in the research ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day project delivery and governance.
• Manage resources, budget, and reporting.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement across RP and academic communities.
• Represent the project to funders, partners, and the wider sector.

Skills

Project management

Excellent communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Project Manager to oversee the delivery of Research Professional Futures (RPF), a £4.5m initiative funded by the Research England Development Fund. This ambitious project aims to transform the role, recognition, and development of Research Professionals (RPs) across the UK research system.

RPF is delivered through a collective leadership model, co‑developed by Research Professionals and Professional Research Infrastructure and Strategy Managers (PRISMs) from a consortium of universities including Teesside, Durham, Warwick, and Imperial College London, in partnership with the Department of Education at the University of Oxford, Research Consulting, ARMA, and other sector bodies.

As Project Manager, you will play a central role in coordinating this multi‑institutional, UK‑wide collaboration, ensuring delivery across work packages including establishing a UK Commission for Research Professional Futures, stakeholder engagement, pilot interventions, a professional development framework and national blueprint offering clear recommendations and practical guidance for long‑term change and project portal.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of sector‑wide change, engaging with senior stakeholders, shaping national policy, and supporting the development of a more inclusive, strategic, and future‑ready RP workforce.

• Lead day‑to‑day project delivery and governance
• Manage resources, budget, and reporting
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement across RP and academic communities
• Represent the project to funders, partners, and the wider sector

We welcome applications from candidates with strong project management experience, excellent communication skills, and a passion for driving change in the research ecosystem.

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