Project Officer (FAST) School of Metallurgy and Materials 106761 Grade 6

The University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent UK University located in Birmingham seeks a Project Coordinator for the FAST project. Your role includes managing project activities, supporting stakeholder engagement, and ensuring project milestones are achieved. The ideal candidate has a degree and experience with project management tools. The position offers a fixed-term contract, a salary of £33,002 to £35,608, and generous benefits including 40 days' holiday and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

40 days paid holiday

Paid volunteering day

Occupational sick pay

Pension scheme

Subsidised nurseries

Qualifications

• Significant practical experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Proven experience in a similar role.
• Highly proficient in MS Office applications.
• Professionalism and discretion in sensitive information handling.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the management coordination of the FAST project.
• Prepare progress reports and present to stakeholders.
• Support stakeholder management and coordination.
• Manage project resources and documentation.

Skills

Project management tools

Literacy and numeracy

MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint)

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Resourcefulness

Understanding of Equality Act 2010

Education

Degree level education (or equivalent)

Job description

Location

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

Position Details

Full‑time position with a starting salary of 33,002 to 35,608, progressing to 39,906. Grade 6. Fixed‑term contract up to September 2028.

Closing date: 4th January 2026.

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

The University of Birmingham supports staff development through a sector‑leading professional programme, flexible working arrangements, and a generous benefits package, including 40 days paid holiday per year, a paid volunteering day, occupational sick pay and a pension scheme. Three subsidised nurseries are also available.

Role Summary

You will assist in the management coordination and reporting of the Formation and Ageing for Sustainable Battery Technologies (FAST) project led by Principal Investigator Prof. Emma Kendrick.

Main Duties

• Coordinate FAST project activities, data reporting, events, enquiries and meetings to support delivery of key milestones, outputs and outcomes.
• Prepare materials for progress reports (financial forecasts, funding claims, etc.) and present to Project Boards and other stakeholders.
• Provide executive coordination support to Project Boards, including setting agendas, collating minutes and ensuring follow‑up actions.
• Assess and, where appropriate, raise issues and risks, including monitoring the risk register.
• Support stakeholder management, liaising with project partners, funders and Project Boards.
• Manage project resources and documentation efficiently.
• Prepare accurate quarterly funding claims and liaise with the Project Lead on budget proposals.
• Ensure the project website is up‑to‑date and reflects the current status of the project.
• Coordinate the training programme for PhD students and internship claims.
• Promote equality and diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Support the University’s sustainability agenda through resource‑efficient working.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Degree level education (or equivalent). Significant practical experience may be considered where equivalent qualifications are absent.
• Experience in a similar role, including use of project management tools.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy, ability to write clearly and analyze information.
• Highly proficient IT skills, including MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint).
• Understanding of policy processes and procedures, with a capacity to recommend improvements.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, confidence, and customer‑service orientation.
• Professionalism, tact, and discretion in handling sensitive information.
• Initiative, resourcefulness, and a self‑motivating approach.
• Ability to work effectively in a large, complex organisation.
• Knowledge of Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics and commitment to fair practice.

Dimensions

The role supports the management of a large project across a College, with external partners.

The role collects, coordinates, and analyzes information required to manage the project budget and other activities.

Planning and Organising

The role co‑ordinates a multi‑partner project, planning delivery, evaluating progress, and managing stakeholders and resources.

Problem Solving and Decision Making

The focus is on coordinating project delivery within constraints set by project leads and boards, requiring good political skills.

Internal and External Relationships

• Internal members of the Project Board.
• External stakeholders such as funders and industrial collaborators.
• Team members at UoB and partner universities (Warwick, Oxford, Cambridge & Nottingham).
• Professional Services colleagues such as Finance, HR, etc.

Diversity and Equality

The University is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and is proud of its Athena SWAN, Race Equality, and Disability Confident accreditations. The Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Centre continually improves the University’s fairness and inclusivity.

Use of AI in Applications

Applications that rely heavily on AI are unlikely to progress. We seek genuine, original expressions of interest.