Process Development & Training Manager (Medicines Manufacturing Skills) - 103435 - Grade 7

Position Details

Research Office, College of Medical and Dental Sciences (MDS)

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £42,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974

Grade: 7

Full Time though Part Time considered (typically 0.8 FTE) Fixed Term contract up 31 March 2026

Closing date: 15 March 2024

Department Overview

The Research Programmes & Infrastructure (RP&I) team, part of the College of Medical & Dental Sciences Research Office, is a vibrant hub for Professional Service staff (over 60 individuals) supporting high-value, strategically important projects and programmes. We work closely with both Professional Services colleagues and Academics across the University and partner organisations, to maximise the impact of funded research, and lead on the development of renewals for large infrastructure awards. The portfolio of research supported within the RP&I team is wide ranging ( https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/medical-dental/index.aspx ) including a large portfolio of large-scale research programmes and infrastructure awards funded by charities, government and other major health research funders.

This role will be embedded within the RP&I team, which is located in the Institute for Translational Medicine - https://www.itmbirmingham.co.uk/ - and benefit from established relationships with programme partners and key stakeholders including NHS Trusts, collaborating research institutions both locally, nationally and globally, patient and public contributors, charities and funders.

Role Summary

Supporting Professor Ivan Wall ( https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/immunology-immunotherapy/wall-ivan ) the post holder will work collaboratively to deliver high quality training and outreach to support the production and delivery of future medicines. They will support learning that spans the entire careers pipeline for industry, academia and NHS, sharing best practice and adopting state of-the-art approaches to training delivery e.g. virtual reality and mixed reality (VR/MR), to drive digital transformation and net zero practices.

This role plays a vital role in developing and delivering innovative training, assessment and outreach for a University Centre working in a UK consortium. Working closely with academic and professional services colleagues both internally and externally, the role will enable the delivery of high quality training and outreach, spanning the entire career pipeline for industry, academic and clinical trainees.

The post holder will possess an understanding of dynamic training needs for diverse learner groups, as well as strong interest in developing new ways of thinking in training delivery, to enable growth of the medicines manufacturing workforce and NHS. They will work with a nationwide consortium across the project, lead on defined Centre training course development and make a major contribution to strategic discussions, day to day operations and ensure consistency of practice and delivery of the project plan.

The post holder will work on their own initiative and exercise a high level of judgement, skill and understanding to conceive, develop and implement long-term improvements to service delivery and effective ways of working within their areas of responsibility.

Main duties

• Deliver training to a range of target audiences including NHS staff, industry and life sciences students.
• Maintain and update content for existing courses run at our National Training Centre.
• Work closely with the project team to develop content for future training courses.
• Manage training-related administrative processes, including registration and onboarding of trainees, ensuring they are robust, flexible and operate effectively, interfacing with colleagues within the University, and external.
• Manage a bank of training materials, ensuring that access is granted in line with project terms.
• Act as principal point of contact and maintain relationships with affiliate members and partners involved in training delivery.
• Deliver training content to targeted groups of 10 – 25 and prepare findings for publication, seminars etc.
• Collect performance data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as participant questionnaire review, and research interviews.
• Analyse and interpret feedback from training sessions to further develop and improve content.
• Oversee students/trainees on the training programme and provide guidance where appropriate to the content being delivered.
• Contribute to developing new teaching platforms, content, and methods.
• Present National Training Centre outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.
• Independently troubleshoot problems that may affect the achievement of the Centre objectives and deadline, with support from senior colleagues where appropriate.
• Have an understanding of how the Centre engages with existing and new Industrial Partners to enable a broad range of knowledge transfer events, training and projects to be run; from training programmes, to outreach, to engagement with industry, academia and clinical affiliates and delivery partners.
• Liaise with providers of manufacturing platforms central to advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) production, developing training content to support professional training programmes.
• Act as a main point of contact and maintain relationships with key industry stakeholders.
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

You will need to evidence:

• First Degree (or equivalent qualification) in life science or engineering discipline
• Higher degree in a discipline such as immunology, cell biology, bioprocessing or other relevant discipline.

You will be/have:

• Experienced in regulated research or in clinical regulated environments, with the ability to review and build awareness of the regulatory framework governing medicines manufacture.
• Experienced in laboratory working with technical expertise in cell processing/culture being essential.
• Experience in/knowledge of medicines manufacture (either cell therapy, biologics or pharmaceuticals) is preferred but not essential.
• High level analytical capability.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
• Ability to co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

In addition to the above, you should be able to demonstrate and/or evidence the following:

• Good understanding of industry, academia, government and administration.
• The ability to cope with change in a fast-moving, dynamic environment where change is often required immediately.
• Exemplary attention to detail and the ability to work confidentially, use judgement and make appropriate decisions within the constraints of the role
• Excellent understanding of delivering excellent customer service and the ability to influence others to deliver
• An understanding of the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures
• High level of competence in the use of IT with proficient experience of using Microsoft Office, databases (preferably student record systems) and online learning resources
• Excellent interpersonal skills, experience of working collaboratively with the ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues at every level of an organisation
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to demonstrate effective negotiating and positive influencing skills
• Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy, and the ability to deal discreetly with confidential and sensitive matters
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills & the ability to be concise.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, and be self-motivated but also able to work as part of a larger team
• Demonstrate a flexible, positive and creative approach to work and meticulous attention to detail
• Demonstrate ability to acquire knowledge and understanding of detailed University policies and procedures and apply them in practice with the ability to interpret policy and offer advice to colleagues

Further particulars can be found here

View our staff values and behaviours here

Informal enquiries to Claire Fenlon, email: c.m.fenlon@bham.ac.uk

We believe there is no such thing as a ’typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is one of our values. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.