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.

What’s in it for you? Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Newcastle is an inclusive global University community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.

Salary: £43,414 to £46,047 with progression to £51,805 per annum

Closing Date: 29 January 2023

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a people orientated leader to join the Faculty of Medical Sciences, working to support NU Biosciences Institute, one of the Faculty’s three Research Institutes.

NU Biosciences Institute (NUBI) houses over 100 research groups which bring together biochemists, bioengineers and cellular, molecular, systems and computational biologists to form a vibrant multi-disciplinary community. Our research in the fundamental biology of life drives forward our mechanistic understanding of human illness and disease with the ultimate goal of improving human health. Further information about the Institute can be found here

Working closely with the Dean of Institute, and Deputy Deans you will lead and manage the operations of the Institute, working with a team of multi-disciplinary professionals that supports and enhances the strategic objectives of the Institute, Faculty and University.

You will have overall responsibility for ensuring all the Institute activities relating to operational services are carried out effectively and with a commitment to enhanced efficiency and quality. This includes building and leading relationships with key business partners across the Faculty and University, and working to support excellent service delivery and a ‘one team’ culture. You will be a member of the Senior Leadership community, working closely with other leaders and teams, sharing good practice and supporting consistent approaches.

Working closely with our academic community, you will develop an in-depth understanding of the Faculty and Institute business and work with key business partners/Community Leads to deliver an effective professional service. You will be people focused, excellent at building relationships with key stakeholders and support a collaborative environment, fostering a culture of trust and mutual respect.

You will be a team player and comfortable working in a matrix structure. You will be a proactive problem solver. Most importantly, you will have the ability to negotiate and influence colleagues you do not directly line manage.

We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment. The position is available immediately, is offered on a full-time basis and we would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible and/or blended working.

For this role we encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population. We appoint on merit and particularly welcome applications from groups that are currently underrepresented in administrative Professional Services.

Informal enquiries are welcomed. To discuss this role further, please contact the Head of Operations Helen Miller via e-mail helen.miller@ncl.ac.uk

Closing date: 29 January 2023
Shortlisting w/c: 30 January 2023
Interview date: 7 February 2023

Key Accountabilities
Working with key business partners and Community colleagues you will lead and develop culture change to transform the professional services (PS) of the Faculty into a PS team, working in one way
Contribute to strategic planning, working with the Institute Executive. Working with the Dean of the Institute to lead on discussions and planning on the development of short, medium and long-term plans, including the presentation and analysis of management information on all performance metrics for the Institute Executive, which might inform or direct strategy and plans. You will also have responsibility for regularly monitoring progress and performance of these plans
Leading on the implementation of policies and procedures in support of the Institute Dean
Working closely with the academic community to understand their needs and to support them
Work with the relevant Business Partners/Community Leads to ensure a coordinated and efficient professional support service is provided to the Institute, its academic and research members, student body, facilities, senior management team and external customers
You will work very closely with all Managers and Business Partners across the Faculty to ensure that the matrix model works effectively and consistently (including ensuring effective liaison with any Institute hosted research facilities and research funded initiatives and centres)

The post holder will:
Support the Institute and other colleagues with guidance on People Services (HR) matters such as recruitment and appointments, resignations, contract renewal to ensure compliance with legislation and financial viability, including providing support with the appropriate university processes.
Ensure cross community team working in order to provide an integrated and coordinated professional service across the Faculty
Work closely with the other Institute Operations Managers and School Managers (where appropriate) to share good practice and ensure one way of working
Working with the Finance Business Partner to ensure effective financial planning, management and sustainability of the Unit, including responsibility for the approval of expenditure within the framework of financial expenditure approvals, across the Faculty
Ensure effective internal and external communications including oversight of the Institute’s web presence and Sharepoint, referring to the Faculty’s Data & Comms Community for guidance and support as required
Lead on the delivery of Institute or Faculty projects, when required
Developing and embedding initiatives that improve the general research environment, incuding the development and oversight of the implementation of Developing Excellent Researchers Action Plan (Concordat for Researcher Development)
Working under the direction of the Faculty Operations Board. Ensure effective implementation of University policies and procedures
To co-ordinate responses to requests from the University for information on behalf of the Institute
Represent and promote the Institute to ensure that issues are presented and acted upon at senior management meetings
To represent the Institute on Faculty and University Committees and Working Groups as required
To deputise for other Institute Operations Managers, as appropriate
You will report directly to a Head of Operations
As a senior Professional Service leader, have collective responsibility for the vision of the Faculty, fostering a culture of service excellence
Communicate the University and Faculty Strategies, inspiring colleagues by bringing the Vision to life and giving it meaning in the context of the Faculty and its aspirations
Ensure a truly inclusive and respectful environment, by role modelling behaviours and ensuring the implementation of all Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) policies and action plans such as Athena SWAN. The post holder will be expected to lead on actions and initiatives which promote ED&I and which support the Faculty’s ambition to become an exemplar

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Demonstrable experience of effective and successful leadership, with a proven track record of working with others to achieve a common goal
Proven experience of working with and building teams, who work collaboratively and flexibly
Intellectual capacity and strong influencing skills in complex stakeholder environments, getting ‘buy in’ to policy and strategy
Able to demonstrate budgetary capability
Experience of developing operational and strategic plans, and associated resource planning
Experience of managing change and supporting people to make transitions
Success in working with, and providing advice to senior colleagues
Proven high level decision making and problem-solving skills, and a demonstrable ability to undertake initiatives, prioritise and plan appropriately
Experience of developing and supporting people to fulfil their potential
Knowledge and understanding of the research environment (desirable)

Attributes and Behaviour
People orientated, is approachable and can motivate and engage others
Works in partnership with others and has exceptional interpersonal and collaboration skills
Effective leadership skills – can work with and empower others to achieve a common goal
Demonstrates resilience to the demands of the role and pace of change and is open to learning from constructive challenge
Able to act objectively in dealing with complex problems, issues and decision making
Able to manage conflicting priorities
Thinks creatively, an effective problem solver
Able to handle conflict in a timely and effective way, bringing situations to speedy resolution
Is inspirational and provides clear direction, particularly in times of uncertainty
Role model of the University values and guiding principles
Promotes a culture of mutual respect

Qualifications
Qualified to Degree level and / or with significant relevant management and leadership experience
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The University holds a silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. The University is also a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 24891

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