Project Officer BCRRE - School of Engineering - 105875 - Grade 6

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Birmingham is seeking a Project Officer for the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education. The successful candidate will assist in project management through coordination and oversight, supporting both project teams and stakeholders, with an attractive salary package and benefits.

Benefits

Generous package of benefits

40 days paid holiday a year

Occupational sick pay

Pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent) with practical experience in project management.
• Proficient IT skills, especially with MS Office.
• Excellent analytical and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage smaller projects independently and assist with larger project management.
• Support research project delivery and stakeholder management.
• Ensure timely project management support and prepare reports.

Skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree level education

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Position Details

School of Engineering

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £32,546 to £35,116 with potential progression once in post to £39,355

Grade: 6

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 22nd June 2025

'Open House' Drop In Session:We will be holding an ‘open house’ drop in session at the University’s Exchange building, in Centenary Square, Birmingham, between 10am and 5pm on Friday 6th June 2025. If you’re interested in working at the University of Birmingham and perhaps have a few questions, this is an opportunity to meet colleagues in the Recruitment team. It will be a relaxed and informal event – you can drop in at any time.

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, andweare equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university.We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here todevelopthrough our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programmewhichprovides allprofessionalservices staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential.With almost 5,000professionalservices jobs in a wide-range of functionsin Edgbaston andin our campus inDubai, there are plenty of opportunities foryou to be able to develop yourcareer at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate.We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are,and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees andtothe success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer avarietyof flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working.In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 dayspaid holidaya year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site.On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops,places to eat and drink,our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Find out more about thebenefits of working for the Universityof Birmingham

Role Summary

To assist in the management of designated projects across a School, College or Professional Service area, or manage smaller projects on own, devising and delivering project plans. The post-holder will act as a focal point and take a direct role in the oversight and management for designated projects in the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE)and the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN). The role will support these specific projects across the team. The post-holder will build significant links to internal and external collaborators and provide an efficient and effective central point of contact and responsibility.

Main Duties

The Project Officer will manage smaller projects in their entirety or manage elements of larger projects or assist in the management of one or more larger projects through the provision of well-developed and timely project management support.You will be expected to work proactively and using initiative and planning skills set your own priorities to ensure progress is maintained as expected, identifying issues and proposing solutions.

• To support the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) PIs and the Research Administration Managerin the successful delivery of research projects.
• To support Research Project delivery, Project Boards, workstreams and working groups within an overall project; or manage elements of larger projects or smaller projects on your own.
• Support may include some or all of the following:
  • Carry out project planning activities
  • Identify milestones which will need to be adhered to
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Milestone tracking/key performance indicator tracking
  • Develop and proposing solutions for any potential issues
  • Recommend improvements for project management
  • Prepare progress reports for project boards or other meetings
  • Delivering on sub-projects/small projects which will be defined on a continuing basis.
  • Assist in budgetary monitoring and management, including reporting
  • Assist with stakeholder management, develop and maintain regular contact with internal and external stakeholders to understand requirements
  • Assess and escalate issues and risks as appropriate
  • Support with a wide range of project operational duties to include project recruitment and procurement.
  • Any other project related requirements as deemed necessary by the PI for successful project delivery, e.g. possible travel in line with project deliverables.
• Contribute to development of communications plans, presentations, promotion of projects and outcomes of projects/workstreams.
• Support with BCRRE’s research activity such as the organisation of events, including the seminar series and conferences.
• Contribute to the School Research network, providing input and assist in the implementation of processes and guidance to support the Project Officer role.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of project management methodologies and work with the wider Project Officer community (School, College and wider University) to develop best practice for post-award support.
• Determine short term priorities for own work, ensuring maximisation of quality, efficiency and continuity.
• Assist in the evaluation and review of projects.
• Support the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
• Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade and as directed by the Research Administration Manager to support the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE).

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent), and or significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a similar role.
• Project management experience, preferably using project management tools.
• Demonstrable experience of budget preparation, together with tracking and monitoring of budgets.
• Experience of managing complex information and queries within project delivery.
• Highly proficient IT skills, with working knowledge of the wider MS Office suite of programmes and University systems.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write clearly, and to analyse information and data.
• Ability to understand policy, processes and procedures recommending improvements and implement changes if and when required.
• Excellent analytical skills in order to produce reports, identify and resolve issues decisively.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire confidence and with clear and effective direction with a range of colleagues and provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of an effective and high performing team.
• A high degree of professionalism, diplomacy, and the ability to exercise discretion regarding the handling and management of sensitive information/issues.
• Ability to use initiative, personal judgement, resourcefulness, flexibility, with a self-motivating approach.
• Ability to work effectively in a large, complex organisation, and to develop an understanding ofthe Universityand the higher education sector.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, ensuring that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Role context

Roles at this level will require expertise and a detailed understanding of methods, systems and procedures in an administrative or professional area.You will either use specialist knowledge or have more of a planning/co-ordination/project role or a role which is supervisory in nature where you may manage a team doing similar kinds of work.You will have the opportunity to exercise a high degree of personal responsibility and initiative which you will use to resolve queries; you will use your judgement to deal with unforeseen problems and circumstances, all with limited guidance/supervision.

Core competencies/transferable skills

Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully use the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown below. As appropriate for the level, Birmingham Professionals take ownership for getting things done.You will be expected to be flexible as required in supporting your department and wider University.

Planning and organising

• Prioritise and schedule work and resources to ensure on time and (where applicable) on budget delivery.
• Set priorities and quality standards for a wide range of tasks and duties.
• Contribute to written documents, for example guidelines internal to the area, taking account of audience.

Problem solving and decision making

• Anticipate and identify issues in own area using own experience.
• Make appropriate suggestions for improvements and implement these when agreed in own area.
• Facilitate change and articulate the implications and benefits of change.
• Focus ondetermining short-term priorities of work area, and how to maximise quality, efficiency and continuity.

Organisational understanding

• Develop an understanding of their working area and how it contributes to the success of the University.
• Engage and be involved in wider University activities, to support understanding of how the University operates beyond operations area; develop and share knowledge.

Relationships and communication

• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships identifying opportunities for collaboration and partnership working opportunities.
• Communicate clearly and openly with others both within and external to the University and use a range of communication skills and strategies to gain commitment to a course of action.
• Demonstrate collaborative working, including both internal and external stakeholders.

Informal enquiries to Laura Harvey, email: [e-mail]

View our staff values and behaviourshere

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .