Environmental Growth for Business Professional Services project team

Transcription

1 THE POST College/Service: Post: Reference No: Grade: Reporting To: Responsible For: Innovation, Impact & Business Project Manager (Environmental Growth for Business Project) P60165 F Head of Business Development Cornwall Environmental Growth for Business Professional Services project team Job Description Environmental Growth for Business Environmental Growth for business is an exciting project seeking to innovatively integrate ecosystem services and circular economics approaches to drive business innovation, resource efficiency and contribute to Cornwall s long-term environmental growth. EG4B will work and support small and medium sized enterprises (SME s) in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly to identifying opportunities for increased productivity and economic resilience through improvements in resource efficiency alongside business-led opportunities that contribute to the delivery of Cornwall s Environmental Growth Strategy ( ). EG4B is a partnership project led by the University of Exeter and involving Cornwall Council, Cornwall Development Company and Cornwall Wildlife Trust. The project is supported by funding from the European Structural Investment Funds (ESIF) and as such business support and engagement is fundamental to the delivery of the project and a key aspect of all posts within it. EG4B has multiple integrated work streams: including the development and implementation of an environmental growth focused business support toolkit, a business-led grant and environmental challenge fund and environmental open innovation networks. The EG4B project will also develop an environmental sensor network and natural capital information and management hub and integrate closely with existing initiatives such as the Cornwall Sustainability Awards. The post will be based at the University of Exeter s Penryn Campus and involve close working with the projects Environmental Growth for Business Project Manager The post will be based in the University of Exeter s, Impact, Innovation and Business (IIB) Directorate. This post will lead in the projects overall EG4B project management and management of the wider EG4B project team. It will involve close working with academic and professional services colleagues across all Colleges, especially the Business School (UEBS) and College of Life and Environmental Science (CLES). The Project Manager will lead in the overall EG4B projects management and staff-management of the wider EG4B project team. It will involve close working with academic and professional services colleagues across all Colleges, especially the Business School (UEBS) and College of Life and Environmental Science (CLES). The post will work closely with the project research and professional leads in the strategic development, planning, and operational aspects of the EG4B project, in particular by collating and preparing periodic reports on operational aspects of the project, including claims to the funder. The post holder is also expected to manage stakeholder and business relations and lead in the project business engagement strategy and delivery. The

2 post will have oversight of all EG4B workstreams and seek to ensure high level of activity integration, legacy and impact of the project for project partners and participating businesses. We envisage a 30:70 split between these two broad aspects of project management and business engagement. Main Duties Strategy, communication, dissemination, representation: Timely documentation and completion of project plans and associated documentation in accordance with funder and reporting requirements To manage the Communications activities of the project including: o Development of an EG4B communication plan; o The production of publicity material including delivery and management of the EG4B webpage(s) o Ensure appropriate use multi-media to disseminate project information. Manage the Project and assist the project partners in achieving its aims and objectives. To support and promote best practice project management across partners To facilitate regular liaison with the partners To be a first point of contact for information and communication about all aspects of the project, both internally (among the Partners) and external media relations. To manage the business engagement activities of the project, including: o Preparation of a business engagement and knowledge exchange delivery plan, to ensure the Project maximises its ability to support the development of knowledge based businesses and a knowledge based economy in Cornwall. o To identify, encourage and support opportunities for collaborative working both with academic and commercial partners, in line with funder requirements; establishing and managing relationships with key partners and business representatives to facilitate business engagement with the Project; o To ensure positive long term relationships are established and maintained with local, national and international partners (including funders) and ensure opportunities for shared working are encouraged and exploited; o To ensure delivery of key project outputs and outcomes Financial management and administration: To liaise effectively with the College and University s financial and research offices concerning all contractual, financial and administrative matters, where appropriate. To administer the overall budget and act as the primary source of advice to the EG4B Research and Administration Leads on matters relating to management of financial resources, within the remit of the role. To assist with the appropriate allocation of funds to delivery partners as needed. To be responsible for reviewing budgets and making proposals for (re)allocation of funds, if/where needed, ensuring that funder s terms and conditions are adhered to. To assist in the preparation of relevant financial documentation for decision-making and reporting as required. To ensure compliance with funding criteria To assist in the projects exit strategy and closure Management of governance bodies: To manage preparation and collation of reports, reviews and other documentation. To work effectively with project partners governance processes and management To provide adequate and effective administrative support, including organising and administering meetings and committees, core events and conferences To ensure compliance with funder regulations and that appropriate records are kept at all times To make arrangements for annual reviews (mock audits) of record keeping by the University and all delivery Other duties: To liaise as necessary with College and University staff where appropriate, including attendance at meetings if required.

3 To liaise with appropriate University offices to explore technology development and transfer possibilities as they develop. To assist Principal Investigator(s) in maintaining close interaction with funding bodies and adhering to reporting requirements. To assist Principal Investigator(s) in developing follow-on and emerging funding applications. Full line management of administrative staff within the team This job description summarises the main duties and accountabilities of the post and is not comprehensive: the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties of similar level and responsibility. Special requirements: The role holder will be expected to attend meetings, events and conferences, this will involve travelling throughout the UK and occasionally internationally.

4 Person Specification Competency Essential Desirable Attainments/Qualifications Prior Experience Skills and Understanding Educated to degree level of equivalent Excellent organisational skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams. Ability to manage stakeholders and create and implement project communication and business engagement plans. Ability to prioritise and to schedule workloads in the face of conflicting demands. Ability to participate in and develop links with a significant number of external Skills to act as a committee secretary, preparing agendas and taking minutes. Experience of Microsoft software packages, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Project planning skills utilising MS Project or similar tool. Administrative and project management experience. Experience of drafting strategy and policy documents and preparing reports. Experience of building and maintaining excellent working relationships with partner organisations and institutions. Experience of monitoring budgets and understanding funding conditions. Experience of managing successful projects. Experience of working at the interface of business and the environment i.e. policy, regulatory, CSR, footprinting, business support etc Line management experience. Experience of managing or working within ESIF / ERDF projects. Experience of managing complex project with multiple Experience of managing large projects in a research environment. Experience of delivering diverse business support activities. An u n d e r s t a n d i n g of business challenges and current national, regional or local initiatives specifically, but not wholly, relating to businesses and the environment. An understanding of ecosystem services and circular economics and the potential ways in which they can help businesses redefine their relationship with the environment.

5 Behavioural Characteristics Ability to demonstrate independent and selfmanaging working styles. A proactive and creative approach problem solving. Ability to work with people in diverse roles and of different backgrounds. Circumstances Flexible working in order to support network meetings/events on occasions. Flexible to travel to other partner organisations. Willingness to travel Terms & Conditions Our Terms and Conditions of Employment can be viewed here. Further Information Please see our website for further information on working at the University of Exeter.