Project Officer

The University of Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension

23 days annual leave

Ride to work and EV car scheme

Flexible and Hybrid working

Job summary

The Henry Royce Institute at The University of Manchester is seeking a fixed-term Project Officer to drive operational improvements across the Royce Hub Building and institute. You will lead and support projects, coordinate space and events, and work with internal teams and partners to resolve issues and enhance service delivery.

You should bring strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills, with experience in higher education or complex organisations.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or practical experience is required.
• Experience delivering excellent customer service and working with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience designing, implementing or improving processes to meet operational needs.
• Experience servicing committees and boards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support operational improvement projects across the Royce Hub Building and wider Institute.
• Coordinate building-related activities including office moves, desk allocation, room bookings and events processes.
• Work with Estates, contractors and partners to resolve operational issues and support safe use of spaces.
• Design, review and improve processes to strengthen service delivery and reduce duplication.
• Use data and stakeholder insight to inform recommendations and governance support.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Education

Relevant degree or practical experience

Job description

The Henry Royce Institute (Royce), an EPSRC-funded national institute, supports advanced materials research and innovation. With its Hub at The University of Manchester, the Institute has spokes at ten Partner and Associate organisations: the Universities of Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, Cambridge, Oxford, Cranfield, Strathclyde and Imperial College London, as well as at the UK Atomic Energy Authority and National Nuclear Laboratory. Royce, driven by a vision of 'advanced materials for a sustainable society', supports the UK in growing its world-leading research and innovation in advanced materials.

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team for a fixed-term cover role as Project Officer.

This role will lead and support operational improvement projects that enhance the day-to-day running of the Royce Hub Building and wider Institute, working with colleagues and partners to improve processes, service delivery and the experience of staff, students and visitors.

The role may also suit candidates seeking a Grade 5 secondment, subject to line manager approval.

You will be responsible for:

• Lead and support operational improvement projects across the Royce Hub Building and wider Institute
• Coordinate building-related activities, including office moves, desk allocation, room bookings, events processes and induction arrangements
• Work with internal teams, Estates, contractors and partners to resolve operational issues and support safe, effective use of building spaces
• Design, review and improve processes to strengthen service delivery, reduce duplication and support efficient ways of working
• Use data, feedback and stakeholder insight to inform recommendations, reports, governance support and operational decisions

We welcome applications from candidates who can bring strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills to a varied operational role in a collaborative research environment. You should be comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders, managing competing priorities and identifying practical improvements to services and processes.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

• Relevant degree or equivalent practical experience
• Administrative and management experience in a similar role, ideally within higher education or another complex organisation
• Experience of delivering excellent customer service and working effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Experience of designing, implementing or improving processes to meet operational requirements
• Experience of servicing committees and boards

Desirable Criteria

• Awareness of governance, data protection and information management principles
• Experience of working in a research institute or higher education environment, including events, internal communications, or working groups
• Experience of Oracle financials, line management, Microsoft Power Automate or Microsoft Copilot

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 23 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must demonstrate the right to work in the UK.