Senior Project Manager (Prosperity Partnership) School of Metallurgy and Materials 103041 Grade 8

The University of Birmingham; Coventry; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Senior Project Manager to oversee the ARCANE project, focusing on managing complex project plans and stakeholder engagement. This part-time role at the High Temperature Research Centre in Coventry demands extensive project management experience, alongside capability in financial oversight. Applicants should hold a relevant degree, preferred formal qualifications, and possess strong analytical and communication skills. The position offers a collaborative environment aiming for outstanding research outcomes.

Benefits

Inclusive workplace

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in technical reporting and financial processes.
• Ability to manage large budgets and forecasts.
• Experience engaging with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead project management activities and create project plans.
• Establish effective stakeholder relationships.
• Manage project budget and cash flow.

Skills

Program/project management experience

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Excellent communication skills

IT proficiency (MS Office)

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent qualification

Formal Project Management qualifications (APMP, Prince2, MSP)

Job description

Description

School of Metallurgy and Materials, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Birmingham

Position Details

Location: High Temperature Research Centre, Coventry, UK

Contract: Fixed‑term, Part‑time (18.75 hours per week), up to May 2028

Grade: 8 – Full time starting salary normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression to £63,606

Closing date: 4th January 2026

Due to ITAR restrictions, this position is only open to individuals holding citizenship of nations that do not appear on the ITAR 126.1 list of proscribed countries.

Background

The High Temperature Research Centre (HTRC) is a research partnership between the University of Birmingham and Rolls‑Royce, operational since 2016. The centre focuses on manufacturing nickel superalloy single crystals and related technologies. The HTRC is jointly managed by a School of Metallurgy and Materials laboratory at the Edgbaston campus and a large‑scale research facility at Ansty Park, Coventry.

The HTRC recently secured an EPSRC Prosperity Partnership grant on Advanced Research in Crystal Anisotropy and Nucleation effects in Nickel Superalloys (ARCANE). This 5‑year, £11 M project involves the University of Birmingham, Rolls‑Royce, University of Oxford and University of Greenwich. The project has five work packages and a data‑science strand.

Role Summary

The Senior Project Manager will support the Principal Investigator and deliver the ARCANE project. The post involves strategic direction, day‑to‑day operational management, financial oversight, stakeholder engagement and reporting to the EPSRC funder.

Main Duties

• Lead project management activities, including the development of complex project plans.
• Create and maintain an overall project management plan and schedule.
• Identify objectives, success indicators and deliver contractual obligations.
• Plan and manage regular project meetings and stakeholder engagement.
• Establish effective networking relationships with all stakeholders.
• Set up, manage and monitor the project budget and cash flow.
• Co‑ordinate output evidence and ensure timely delivery of outputs to budget and quality standards.

Budget Management, Monitoring and Reporting

• Maintain accurate expenditure records and cash‑flow forecasts to maximise funder recovery.
• Ensure all allowable costs are recorded in accordance with University policy.
• Lead colleagues in accurate cost recording and audit controls.
• Delegate budgets to key task managers and monitor control and audit of project expenditure.
• Approve expenditure within delegation limits and escalated decisions to the Project Director when required.
• Ensure all grant reimbursement to beneficiaries is processed in line with policy.
• Provide quarterly financial reports to the project funder and the Project Management Board.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Communication

• Develop and implement a comprehensive evaluation strategy.
• Establish reporting procedures that meet requirements and gather data efficiently.
• Analyse data to ensure quality and take action when necessary.
• Report progress to the ARCANE Management Group and highlight risks.
• Maintain a risk register and communicate risks proactively.
• Engage with stakeholders to disseminate project outputs.
• Coordinate and organise strategic governance meetings (Steering Board, Advisory Board).
• Support PI in short‑term, medium‑term and long‑term reporting and planning activities.

People Management and Research Culture

• Line‑manage staff, ensuring targets and goals are achieved within resource constraints.
• Create a motivating and collaborative project environment to achieve outstanding research outputs.
• Identify development opportunities and encourage team growth.
• Maintain the ARCANE website as an external communication portal.
• Support day‑to‑day needs of ARCANE research students.

General

• Actively manage equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring, evaluation and challenge of unacceptable behaviour.
• Support the University’s sustainability agenda through resource‑efficient working.
• Perform any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification and substantial programme/project management experience.
• Formal Project Management qualifications (APMP, Prince2, MSP) preferred.
• Extensive experience managing large financial budgets and forecasting.
• Experience in technical reporting and financial policies/processes.
• Knowledge of relevant work practices, processes and procedures with sector/commercial awareness.
• Literacy and numeracy to produce clear written material and data analysis.
• Ability to meet targets with minimal supervision and deliver under pressure.
• Experience in engaging and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills to identify and implement improvements.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate.
• Highly proficient IT skills (MS Office); ability to learn new software quickly.
• Excellent people‑management skills with proven experience of leading and motivating teams.
• High self‑motivation, personal accountability and deadline orientated.
• Knowledge of equality and diversity legislation and ability to apply policies.
• Experience championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

DBS Required

All successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

BPSS Required

All successful applicants will be subject to a BPSS check prior to appointment.

Contact

Informal enquiries to Gareth Pugh – email: [e-mail].

Advertising

Open to all qualified candidates. EEO statement: The University of Birmingham is an equal opportunity employer and commits to providing a fair and inclusive workplace.