Strategic Funding Manager

Transcription

1 Candidate Brief Strategic Funding Manager Reference: R Salary: Grade 9, 39,992 to 47,722 per annum Closing Date: hours GMT on Sunday 11 February 2018 Interview Date: Week commencing 26 February 2018

2 Job description Job Purpose: To operate strategically and operationally in support of the development of a portfolio of funded research in the School through research development and bid writing support to help the academics produce high quality research proposals across the full range of funders against stretching targets. This will involve working closely with the School s Associate Dean Research in the development of a funding strategy/roadmap for the School, and critically, creating close working relationships with all academics within the School. The Strategic Funding Managers are embedded in the Schools and are the conduit for not only research but all other RKE activities and this will require working closely with the Funding and Relationships, Operations and Contracts areas. The post holders will work collaboratively within the Schools, acting as account managers with an overview of School activity. Main Duties/Responsibilities: To work with the School academic research managers (Associate Deans for Research, Deputy Dean for Research, and Research Group leads, facilitators or convenors) to develop strategy and plans to significantly increase research income, including development of academic partnerships. To work with individual members of academic staff on their personal research strategy planning, linking them to other members of the RKE as required. To build and maintain an excellent understanding of academic research interests and aspirations working closely with individuals to develop and support their research ambitions through the planning and development of fundable research proposals. To develop effective relationships with the core of external funders of research defined below, to gather intelligence on their requirements, philosophy and rationale and ensure that research proposals are carefully crafted to align with these needs and expectations and to maintain effective situational awareness of all external funders of research and their funding mechanisms. To engage in bid development in depth to include, writing and re-working text to clarify meaning, producing complex budgets and resource models. The post holder would be required to support the complete spectrum of research activities within the School. Normally, it is expected that the majority of the post holder s time will be devoted to developing research proposals of Technology Readiness Levels 1-3, including, but not limited, to RCUK, charities, and professional bodies and at range of scales from centres and large strategic bids to fellowships and studentships. Of course, when required to post holder will be actively engaged in the development and support of higher TRL research activities. As a single point of contact within a School, the Strategic Funding Manager will have to engage with projects across the Technology Readiness Levels 1-6. Hence, the post holder will need to maintain a working understanding of funding mechanisms for TRLs 4-6, linking academics to the appropriate staff in RKE to develop proposals at these levels, and providing other support as may be required. To work closely with the Strategic Business Partner, the EU and Large Projects Partner, the Funding and Industry Partner and the KTP Manager as appropriate to enable them to identify industrial partners for collaborative proposals and/or to enable them to develop industrially-funded research projects. Where required, to support the Awards and Contract specialist and Grants Officers with contract negotiation for projects relating to SFM activities. To deliver high quality and innovative training and support to academic staff and researchers at all stages of their career, working closely with the Professional Development Advisor and the Marketing and Operations Manager.

3 To work closely as a team with the Grants Officer, using their support on bids wherever possible. As required to work with the Grants Officer on award acceptance and negotiation for large and complex awards. To interface as necessary with the International Office and DARO on institutionally important strategic bids. To advise the Funding and Industry Partner, PVC Research and Enterprise, Director of Research Strategy and Impact, Research Committee, and Associate/Deputy Deans for Research as appropriate, of relevant funder policy changes and their implications for Aston. To feed through possible areas of IP that arise during the course of other SFM duties into the Director of IP for further development. Working with the Marketing and Operations Manager, to contribute to the profile of research and research funding generally across the University by celebrating and publicising research successes, and promoting Research and Knowledge exchange services. To record developing and submitted proposals via the University awards management system, to enable accurate reporting of research bidding activity. To work pro-actively and creatively across teams in order to achieve university and departmental objectives. To take on special projects from time to time in order to develop the University s research capability, for example through support for key collaborative partnerships. Work collaboratively with colleagues in the RKE, external partners and the wider Aston community towards achieving the Aston 2020 strategy. To take on any other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the level of the post as requested by the line manager. Contribute to the following RKE management tasks, as may be appropriate: Support the University s participation in Midlands Innovation and Universities West Midlands, in terms of initiative development and support. Maintain the University s relationship with a number of external partners/bodies including (and not restricted to) Birmingham Chamber and its member organisations, Asian Business Chamber, CBI, Birmingham City Council, Digital Birmingham, Innovation Birmingham, Medilink West Midlands, UKTI, Birmingham Science City. Attend networking events organised by the external partners/contacts, occasionally chairing or speaking at such events, making and maintaining contacts with other organisations at these events, identifying and following up potential opportunities and collaborations with other organisations, introducing Aston researchers and other Aston departments to other organisations, meeting with senior staff on joint initiatives, arranging Aston participation (speakers, exhibition stands etc.) at events, gaining support and publicity for Aston initiatives, and promoting Aston initiatives through partner media and events. Where appropriate, participate in lobbying and other initiatives to promote Birmingham and the West Midlands organised by the above organisations and being a member of groups and committees as required. Maintain a good relationship with DCLG and being a member of groups such as the LMSC which manages ERDF funding across the West Midlands, identifying opportunities for Aston to bid for funding and ensuring that Aston is well placed to do so.

4 Participate in, and be a member of, EBEG (Universities West Midlands Employer and Business Engagement Group) and identifying / developing joint knowledge exchange projects with other West Midlands universities Additional responsibilities Engage in continuous personal and professional development in line with the demands of the role, including undertaking relevant training and development activities to develop themselves and support the development of others. Ensure and promote the personal health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students. Carry out duties in a way which promotes fairness in all matters and which engenders trust. Promote equality of opportunity and support diversity and inclusion as well as working to support the University s environmental sustainability agenda and practices.

5 Person specification Education and qualifications Experience Aptitude and skills Essential Degree (or equivalent) in a subject relevant to Engineering and Science. Exceptionally experience equivalent to a degree will be considered. Proven track record with research funding organisations. Demonstrable experience within a research environment, either academic, industry or funding agency. Provision of advice and guidance to senior staff. Negotiation and influencing skills. Management and interpretation of financial information, including costing of complex proposals. Highly effective communication and presentation skills. Proven success in writing applications, securing funding and negotiating contracts. Ability to work flexibly and creatively, quickly and accurately under pressure. Able to establish professional credibility with senior staff internal and external to the University. Highly motivated. Effective team member. Has the will and ability to work cooperatively with others. Demonstrates positive leadership and management qualities. Able to work flexibly and use initiative. Method of assessment Application form Application form, interview and presentation Interview and presentation Education and qualifications Desirable PhD. Postgraduate qualification. Method of assessment Application form

6 Desirable Method of assessment Experience Aptitude and skills In depth knowledge of EPSRC programmes and what makes a successful application to this funder. Experience of working at one of the UK Research Councils relevant to Science or Engineering. Advanced excel and database skills for use in effective management reporting. Application form, interview and presentation Application form

7 How to apply You can apply for this role online via our website Applications should be submitted by 23.59pm on the advertised closing date. All applicants must complete an application form, along with your CV. Any CV sent direct to the Recruitment Team and Recruiting Manager will not be accepted. If you require a manual application form then please contact the Recruitment Team via recruitment@aston.ac.uk. Contact Information Enquiries about the vacancy: Name: John Richards Job Title: Funding and Industry Partner Tel: j.e.richards@aston.ac.uk Enquiries about the application process, shortlisting or interviews: Recruitment Team via recruitment@aston.ac.uk or Additional Information Visit our website for full details of our salary scales and benefits Aston University staff enjoy Salary Scales: Benefits: Working in Birmingham: Employment of Ex-Offenders: Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a person with a criminal record is not required to disclose any spent convictions unless the positions they applying for is listed an exception under the act. Eligibility to work in the UK: Candidates who are not citizens of the United Kingdom, or another EEA member country, should check their eligibility to enter or remain the UK in advance of making any job application via the UKVI website Before applying you should ensure that you meet the requirements, including meeting the English language standards. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, any application for a work visa would be unsuccessful Equal Opportunities: Aston University promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We aim to ensure, through our admissions policies for students, and our staff recruitment and selection processes that we encourage applications from all groups represented in the wider community at a local, national and international level.

8 The University will endeavour not to discriminate unfairly or illegally, directly or indirectly, against student or potential students, staff or potential staff. This commitment applies to all functions of the University and to any stage of an individual s career. An Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form is included within the application form. Data Protection Act 1998: Your application will only be used to inform the selection process, unless you are successful, in which case it will form the basis of your personal record with the University which will be stored in manual and/or electronic files. Information in statistical form on present and former employees is given to appropriate outside bodies. Data you provide on the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be included in a general database, for statistical monitoring purposes, enabling the University to monitor the effectiveness of its Policy, Codes of Practice and Guidelines on Equal Opportunities in Employment. Individuals will not be identified by name Full details of our terms and conditions of service and associated policies and procedures are available online at