Project Manager

InsideHigherEd; North East; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the North East of England is seeking a REF Project Manager to provide strategic project management for REF 2029. The successful candidate will work closely with academic leaders and contribute to the development of key narratives for submission. This role requires strong communication and problem-solving skills, alongside experience in project management. The position is full-time and fixed-term for 3 years, based in a vibrant hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in project management within academic or research environments.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively.
• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide project management support for REF 2029.
• Monitor progress and prioritise tasks related to REF submission.
• Develop institutional narratives as needed for REF submission.

Skills

Project management

Strategic planning

Communication

Problem-solving

Job description

The Role and the Department

The position of REF Project Manager is a strategically important role within the Research and Innovation Services (RIS) Directorate. The post-holder will report to Senior Manager Strategy and Performance and work closely with the Research Policy and Performance Manager. They will work with the Director of PSP to support REF2029 preparation and submission and work across the University to support key points of contact in professional support and academic departments/faculties.

The overall purpose of the position advertised is to provide project management and to support the strategy and processes for REF 2029 (including organising stocktakes and mock REF exercise(s)). The post holder will have a role in the development of any institutional narratives required for REF submission. The REF Project Manager will deputise as needed for the Director of Policy Systems and Performance on matters relating to REF, including providing clear communications related to REF preparations between the RIS central REF.User and the wider University as appropriate.

The post-holder will contribute to the wider interpretation of the REF rules and regulations and provide advice, guidance and support to academic leaders and researchers with the aim of achieving a high-quality REF submission. The post-holder will be required to understand complex information, feed into strategic plans and data exercises and then communicate important information and decisions in a concise and compelling manner. Monitoring progress and prioritisation of tasks, refining the forward plan (looking 12-18 months ahead) are necessary to keep the project on track. The REF project manager will lead on specific actions, contribute to other actions and be expected to problem‑solve and feed in their expertise to discussions. They will also provide support to recording REF related data in the IT Systems.

The role is fixed term for 3 years and full time.

The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage.