Technical Manager

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious research university in the UK seeks a candidate to oversee the planning, organization, and management of School’s infrastructure and technical services. Responsibilities include line management of technical staff and active contribution to strategic planning. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication and project management skills, ensuring a strong technical team and effective service delivery. This role is crucial for maintaining high standards in technical operations and staff development.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to motivate staff.
• Experience in project management.
• Ability to implement change and manage difficult situations.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning and managing School's infrastructure and technical services.
• Act as a member of the School Executive Board and contribute to strategic planning.
• Manage technical staff including recruitment and performance management.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Project management

Job description

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

The Role

To be responsible for the planning, organisation and management of School’s infrastructure, technical services and all aspects of workshop and laboratory management. You will also be a member of the School Executive Board and will actively contribute to the School’s Strategy and ensure plans and objectives are implemented within their own area of work. This role will have a number of crosscutting responsibilities, line managing the technical line managers technical managers and academic staff.

For informal enquires please contact Jay Bartlett, Head of Technical Services ([e-mail])

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Planning

• To act as a member of the School Executive Board and contribute to the strategic planning of the school, in partnership with the Head of School Operations
• Maintain and update technical expertise and knowledge of relevant legislation in order to contribute to the development of School policies and procedures to ensure that all legal and university requirements are applied within laboratories/ workshops and other work areas
• Planning, design and advice on technical services and facilities required for the School, including provision of its equipment. The organisation of bulk and project purchasing and management of allocated budgets (e.g. common user equipment)

Technical Services Management

• Ensuring satisfactory maintenance, through direct liaison with Equipment Suppliers, Service Engineers and Services consultants
• Assessing forward needs of the School in respect of allocation of space, equipment, plant and integration of this into existing facilities through consultation with the Head of School, Head of School operations and relevant academic staff. Working with the Faculty team in relation to infrastructure improvements, efficiencies, the designing of laboratories/ workshops, refurbishing laboratories/workshops and upgrading existing laboratories/workshops and
• Operational management of a designated technical area including all staffing related requirements
• Line management (including recruitment, development, performance management) of technical staff within the school Planning and implementing work schedules for technical staff ensuring an effective and flexible use of human resources

Staff Management and Development

• Develop a professional technical service by providing strong team leadership and management support which is guided by the University Success Factors. Lead the development and delivery of a robust operational plan for the team, with clear objectives and priorities
• Overall responsibility for all technical staff within the School including recruitment of high calibre staff, Pay Review assessments and managing any people related matters. Direct line management of key senior technical staff to include performance and development (Conversations and priorities)
• Responsible for ongoing professional development of the technical team to include the organisation of relevant training, support with individual professional registration and support with attendance at professional networks (e.g. NU TechNet). Liaison with the Faculty team to ensure the effective co-ordination and development of technical staff on apprenticeship and training schemes
• Gather relevant data including feedback from stakeholders to ensure work conducted by the team is monitored and effectively evaluated. This analysis is to be imbedded into a plan for continuous improvement as well as informing plans for staff career development and team succession planning
• Planning and implementing work schedules for technical staff ensuring an effective and flexible use of the team and our estate

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to motivate staff, implement change and remain calm and diplomatic in difficult situations
• Evidence of project management and