Programme Manager

Job content

Job Responsibilities

The post holder is required to work flexibly across the organisation; the portfolio of programmes and schemes that they manage is likely to vary over time as will the balance of administrative and managerial duties.

• Working with Senior Programme Managers the post holder will be required to manage change in response to external events and new policies; this may require the reformulation and adjustment of plans and strategies to ensure that the programmes in the post holders portfolio remain fit for purpose;
• Management of peer review panels and advisory boards including: identifying prospective panel members, invitations to join panels/boards, drafting panel/board terms of reference and guidance, management and organisation of panel meetings;
• Provide secretariat for panels, boards and implementation groups as required;
• Drafting and revision of application forms and guidance for new and existing schemes;
• Provide written feedback to applicants to programmes/scheme applicants in the post holders portfolio;
• Handle complex queries and complaints about the application process and funding decisions by telephone, email, and in person;
• Work with the Senior Programme Managers to plan and implement the process for administering the schemes in the post holders area of responsibility;
• Play a key role in planning the annual cycle and timing of schemes in the post holders area of responsibility;
• Working with the other Programme Managers, Senior Programme Managers and Administration Manager to monitor workload and co-ordination of administrative functions across the portfolio;
• Writing reports and working papers as required, and;
• Research and publicise out puts and impacts of the programmes in the post holder’s portfolio.
• Prepare and check announcement letters, contracts, and payment schedules for new awards;
• Deal with and track requests for changes, including variations to awards and contracts;
• Maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail in compliance with Department of Health and Social Care contracting policy;
• Liaise with external stakeholders to monitor progress of schemes, and work closely with Senior Programme Managers on monitoring and evaluation of schemes in the post holders area of responsibility.
• Monitoring of individual trainee progress through the reading of annual reports and subsequent liaison with trainees where necessary.
• Publicise the NIHR Academy activities through attendance and presentations at external meetings, seminars and conferences;
• Assist Senior Programme Managers in dealing with a range of people nationally at all levels of seniority both internal and external to the NIHR
• Academy in line with DHSC policies;
• Organisation of workshops and stakeholder meetings as required;
• Assist the Senior Programme Managers in generating and maintaining strong nationally- based networks and positive working relationships within HEIs, other areas of NIHR, relevant parts of the NHS and other health-related organisations, particularly at the level of senior research leaders/sponsors to benefit the NIHR Academy programmes.
• Contributing to briefings requested from Ministers offices and other government departments.
• Liaise with members of the NIHR Academy Executive Senior Management Team and Senior Programme Managers in order to meet responsibilities and undertake duties effectively.
  

The Programme Manager will receive administrative support. The postholder will take responsibility for the supervision of day to day administrative staff workloads as appropriate.

Person Specification

Essential

Willingness and ability to travel in UK on a frequent and regular basis, including occasional overnight absence

Ability to work accurately with attention to detail

Ability to maintain confidentiality

Essential

Ability to work as part of a team, build and maintain good working relationships both internally and externally to the organisation

Deliver work on time, to anticipate fresh demands, and to delegate effectively

Effective liaison skills with the ability to deal tactfully with colleagues, senior academics, NHS managers, members of the public and various stakeholders

Advanced level oral and written communication skills.

Confident and comfortable talking and presenting to others

Ability to analyse, interpret and present complex scientific and policy information.

Good working knowledge of word processing, databases, spreadsheets

Desirable

Ability to tackle complex problems, identify solutions and implement them

Experience of drafting reports/papers

Essential

Experience of research and/or research management

Experience of project management

An understanding of public sector health research and its management

Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively as an advocate for health services research and development

Assimilate information quickly, and apply knowledge quickly and effectively to new problems.

An interest in many areas of health research and a willingness to work across discipline boundaries

Desirable

An understanding of health research capacity development

Essential

Degree in a health or life-science discipline or equivalent experience

Desirable

Masters Degree in a health or life-science discipline or equivalent experience

Postgraduate research and/or research management experience

For Questions About The Job, Contact

Gareth O’Brien gareth.obrien@nihr.ac.uk

• Willingness and ability to travel in UK on a frequent and regular basis, including occasional overnight absence
• Ability to work accurately with attention to detail
• Ability to maintain confidentiality