Project Manager

Job Title: Project Manager 

Directorate: School of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Contract Type: 1.0 FTE Fixed – 5 Years

Grade and Salary: Grade 8 (£45,585 – £56,021) 

Purpose of the Role 

Heriot-Watt University is leading a consortium of twelve universities and two national laboratories, supporting the formation of a new international research centre funded by EPSRC for a 5-year research programme into Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN). The overall financial contribution from EPSRC to the Hub is £21.8M, with significant additional support from industry partners. The Project Manager is responsible for the overall management of this Quantum Technology Hub for the 5-year duration of the award and reports directly to the academic Project Director.

Detailed Description 

The Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub will be an internationally recognised centre of excellence for quantum networking. The Hub will focus on the distribution of quantum entanglement at all length scales for distributed quantum computing and quantum communications. The Hub will be at the forefront of advancements towards the “quantum internet”, envisioned as the final stage of the quantum revolution, where quantum resources will be used at distance utilising the game-changing power of quantum computing and quantum metrology for critical applications, whilst being verifiably secure. By delivering emerging technologies and techniques to our industrial innovation partners, the IQN Hub will enable UK industry to lead the quantum networking revolution. The IQN Hub is supported by an initial £21.8M award from UKRI and additional industrial support, including ‘in-kind’ and direct financial support valued at approximately £20M.

The Project Manager will report directly to the IQN Hub Director, and work with the Hub Finance Manager, Hub Communications Manager, and Hub Business Development Manager to comply with institutional standards. The Hub Manager will line manage the Hub Communications Manager, Hub Finance Manager and additional administrative staff hired directly by the Hub. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

You will be a suitably qualified individual who can bring extensive administrative experience and problem-solving skills to the management and development of a portfolio of information systems, policies and initiatives to support the activities of the project team. As the post holder, you will be a core member of the Hub management team, acting as a source of expert information with the responsibility of devising and implementing processes to ensure that: 

• All project partners have effective and integrated administrative support to enable delivery of project objectives
• All project developments comply with university and funder requirements and regulations
• All communications, Responsible Research and Innovation, and public engagement and outreach activities are effectively managed and delivered
• Project finances are closely monitored in terms of spending and timelines, including in relation to employment contracts
• Project outcomes are communicated widely and clearly to a variety of audiences.

The Project Manager will be required to:

• Lead the implementation of all admin systems for control and management of the project. This will include contributing to the development and delivery of interventions, process and procedures as well as ensuring there is effective communication with all stakeholders.
• Work closely with the hub’s Finance Manager to monitor project budgets in line with funder guidelines, including expenditure from all eight academic partner institutions and the Partnership Resource Fund for a total of £24M; analyse financial data, preparing reports and making recommendations for future strategy/tactics/action as appropriate.
• Plan and manage the deployment of resources to meet project milestones
• Contribute to the identification and management of associated project risks in collaboration with the Directors, Business Development Manager and work package leaders.
• Report on project progress through agreed reporting lines; evaluate and disseminate project outcomes
• Generate ideas for new projects, prepare project briefs/ plans and obtain the appropriate support
• Identify sector developments and potential funding opportunities
• Generate and maintain collaborative links with a wide range of individuals and/or professional bodies, both internally and externally
• Develop a network of contacts both within the University in various central support departments (Research and Enterprise Directorate, Research Grants & Contracts, Finance, Academic Support Office, Communications, Human Resources etc.) and in other stakeholder organisations which form part of the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme
• Represent the Quantum Communications Hub project in various UK National Quantum Technologies Programme committees and bodies, as appropriate
• Oversee the recruitment process working closely with the central HR department and the Physics HR officer
• Manage the Hub’s portfolio of EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership studentships, from advertisement and allocation to post-award, including sorting out studentship agreements, funding and invoicing, working closely with the central Research Student Admin Team
• Develop and manage the Hub’s online and social media presence
• Promote links, communication and understanding between the Hub and other stakeholders in the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme, and including other international research groups and initiatives
• Plan, organise and promote Hub scientific meetings, both internal and external, conferences, public and user engagement event, working closely with the Business Development Manager
• Support stakeholders to ensure an environment where the project can be delivered successfully wit regular reviews and clear accountability
• Act as the main point of contact for all internal and external enquiries relating to the project

Education & Qualifications

Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience 

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of academic research processes and issues and of UK and overseas funding bodies
• Understanding of the University sector
• Proven knowledge of how to manage and administer effective working practices and systems within research projects
• Proven knowledge of data management and collection systems in respect of financial and output reporting
• Proven knowledge of large-scale event organisation
• Knowledge of general HR processes and procedures in a large organisation
• Excellent communications skills – written, oral and presentational. Ability to present complex information from a variety of sources in a simple way to diverse audiences
• Ability to demonstrate and bring a high level of organisational and project management skills to a complex research project
• Ability to work to vaguely defined and challenging briefs, working independently to define problems and come up with innovative solutions
• Ability to develop strategic approaches to both new developments and operational issues
• Able to adapt to changing priorities to support team members at short notice
• Strong numeracy and IT Skills – able to use effectively Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, Teams, Worktribe, and quickly learn new/complex systems
• Able to communicate effectively with multiple individuals at different levels, with different perspectives
• Able to work in a team and form positive working relationships with colleagues/ external contacts
• A high degree of attention to detail
• Good knowledge and understanding of relevant legal, statutory and governance applications and turning them into good practice
• Willingness to travel nationally

Desirable 

• Experience of working in Higher Education Research.

About Heriot-Watt

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business, and industry. 

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt University is also Scotland’s most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort. 

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on 08 October 2024.

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community. 

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. 

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ . 

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University. 

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