JOB DESCRIPTION. Shared Research Infrastructure Manager, Operations. Division of Health Sciences PRIME FUNCTION

Transcription

1 UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO Te Whare Wananga o Otago JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: DIVISION: Shared Research Infrastructure Manager, Operations Divisional Office Division of Health Sciences PRIME FUNCTION The University of Otago has a number of specialised and high tech research facilities that support the research efforts of its staff in health and other sciences. The Health Sciences Division is establishing an overarching Shared Research Infrastructure Facility which will be a single cost centre containing a number of existing key Research Infrastructure Facilities. These are electron and confocal microscopy, histology, flow cytometry, genomics, biostatistics and pre-clinical research support. Other technologies may join in in the future. This new role will be responsible for bringing together the management of three existing facilities and one newly merged facility and creating a positive culture for continuous improvement and optimal outcomes for both facility users and staff. The Manager will provide leadership, strategic advice and effective operations management for the overall Shared Research Infrastructure Facility of the Health Sciences Division. This position will be responsible for the successful operation of the overarching Facility to achieve strategic research support goals developed by individual facility Academic Advisory Groups and endorsed by the Divisional Research Infrastructure Governance Group (DRIGG). The position has overall responsibility for the control and management of their financial viability. The Manager leads and co-ordinates individual Facility Managers, and has oversight of the operation of all the facilities. The Manager will work closely with Academic Advisory Groups, User Groups and key clients to ensure efficient delivery of individual objectives required to achieve agreed goals. They will also develop policies and procedures to support existing and future goals. The Manager will report directly to the Chair of the Divisional Research Infrastructure Governance Group of the Division of Health Sciences and will contribute to the development, approval and achievement of its agreed objectives. MAIN OBJECTIVES To provide vision and leadership for research infrastructure development and operation across the Division. To be responsible for building an engaged, skilled and high performing research support team that delivers cutting edge, timely, and effective research support for the Health Sciences Division and the University. To communicate and work with Facility user groups and Heads of Department to ensure that researcher needs are being met. Page 1 of 5

2 To be responsible for co-developing and implementing strategic plans for the Shared Research Infrastructure Facility. To provide executive business expertise and advice and financial oversight to support the agreed objectives of DRIGG. To oversee the development and implementation of a broad range of policies, operational policies, best practice operational procedures, contracts and service level agreements. To make recommendations for infrastructure strategies to Pro Vice Chancellors, Divisional Executive, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Heads of Department and research staff. To be responsible for the deployment of resources, as agreed and directed by DRIGG, to deliver research excellence and achieve agreed goals for the Shared Research Infrastructure Facility. To be responsible for continuous improvement of Shared Research Infrastructure Facility business systems, including booking, billing, project management, time tracking, quality assurance, business analysis and communication. Responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting of operational measures to achieve agreed goals for the Shared Research Infrastructure Facility. KEY TASKS Leadership and Management To manage the Facility workforce in a positive and empowering way. To participate in DRIGG meetings (normally bi-monthly) and to plan, co-ordinate, monitor, evaluate and report on the performance of the Shared Research Infrastructure Facility workforce as required. To monitor and address overall user satisfaction levels of all facilities within the Shared Research Infrastructure Facility. To communicate in a relevant and timely fashion with stakeholders - the DRIGG, Deans and Heads of Department, Facility staff, internal researchers and external clients and suppliers on behalf of the Shared Research Infrastructure Facility. To effectively lead, mentor and develop the careers of Facility Managers and oversee training opportunities for all operational staff. To develop accurate and compelling business cases that enable evidence-based decisions on investments or initiatives with potential to add value to the Shared Research Infrastructure Facility. To oversee the provision of financial, marketing, human resource and administrative support to the units. Business and Finance To work with the Facility's designated Financial Advisor to prepare the Facility s annual budget in consultation with the Divisional Research Infrastructure Governance Group (DRIGG), Chairs of the Academic Advisory Groups the Divisional finance staff, and in liaison with individual Facility Managers. Budget will be roughly $6.5M. To plan, co-ordinate, monitor and report on the financial activities and financial status of the Shared Research Infrastructure Facility. To oversee development of external contracts and or service level agreements where appropriate. Page 2 of 5

3 Strategic operational planning To develop, implement and review processes and policies that ensure the efficient operation of, and maximise the quality of research support delivered by, the Shared Research Infrastructure Facility. To improve business systems proactively and with a continuous improvement approach to ensure efficient operations and business decisions are based on sound business data. This includes booking, billing, quality assurance, project management, communication, and business analysis systems and will include oversight of IT system purchases in conjunction with central ITS services. To work with individual Facility Managers to implement best-practice processes. To work with individual academics, Academic Advisory Groups and Facility Managers to investigate costs and benefits of new technologies and build business cases to support future purchases. To manage the spatial layout of the Shared Research Infrastructure Facility in liaison with the Divisional Space Manager. To monitor the performance of the Division s Biostatistics Unit contracted to Health Research South on behalf of DRIGG. To represent the Shared Research Infrastructure Facility in the science community and to the general public when required. Such other tasks as the DRIGG requires. RELATIONSHIPS Directly responsible to: Supervision of: Pro-Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences). Facility Managers: 1) New Imaging Facility Operations Manager (encompassing Electron and Con-focal Microscopy, Histology and flow cytometry). 2) Otago Genomics and Bioinformatics Facility Manager. 3) Pre-clinical Research Facility Manager (from 2019). 4) Shared Research Infrastructure Facility Operations Team (Finance Advisor and Administrative Assistant). Does the person assist in staff recruitment, etc? Does the person address staff performance issues? Does the person undertake Performance Development Reviews (PDR)? Does the person allocate tasks to staff? Functional relationships with: Internally: Chair of the Divisional Research Infrastructure Governance Group or delegate. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research). Pro-Vice Chancellor (Sciences). Divisional Research Infrastructure Governance Group (DRIGG). Individual Research Facility Managers. Research Facility staff. Chairs of Academic Advisory Groups (or equivalent). Chairs of the User Groups (or equivalent). Deans/Associate Deans. Heads of Departments. Page 3 of 5

4 Academic and Research staff. Financial Managers (or equivalent) in the Health Sciences Division. Legal advisors in the University. Health Sciences Divisional Office. Associate Dean, Space Portfolio. Research and Development Manager (Division of Health Sciences). Business Manager (Division of Health Sciences). Externally: External clients. Technology/service providers. Other Universities. BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITY Accountable for monitoring of the Shared Research Infrastructure Facility annual budget of $6.5M. The appointee has the delegated authority to make single purchases up to $25,000 in value. EXPECTED OUTCOMES Clear leadership and sense of direction are provided to staff and management. Users of facilities consistently report satisfaction. The Shared Research Infrastructure Facility operates at international best practice standards and delivers effective and cutting edge research infrastructure services. The Shared Research Infrastructure Facility Operations Manager is an effective management team member across different areas of the Division. Managers of the constituent facilities are empowered to deliver in their roles. Strategic thinking is translated into practical operational plans. Research outputs resulting from using the facilities increase in number and quality. Growth in the external client base where capacity allows. PERSON SPECIFICATION Qualifications and Experience A relevant tertiary degree, either related to the research areas in the facilities or in business management/project management is required. Relevant postgraduate qualifications, (PhD, MBA), may be an advantage. A minimum of 10 years experience in either a research and development environment or in managing complex technical units is required, with tertiary sector experience an advantage. Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and value staff and manage high-pressure situations in an R&D environment. Page 4 of 5

5 Skills and Aptitudes Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills. Relates well to people inside and outside of the University and can network effectively. Demonstrated skill in the preparation of business cases and knowledge of continuous improvement processes. Excellent influencing and negotiating skills. A reasonable level of financial literacy. Makes good decisions based on sound analysis, experience and good judgement. Key attributes: Integrity, initiative, leadership, problem solving ability, relationship management and exceptional people skills. Page 5 of 5