Strategic Programme Manager (Skills Development)

Role Description

We are seeking a Strategic Programme Manager to work in the University of York’s new NIHR-funded Specialist Centre for Social Care, in a new, pivotal, outward-facing national role that will encourage and support social care research skill development.  Working alongside the Director (Dr Mark Wilberforce, University of York) and the Strategic Lead for Skills (Dr Stacey Rand, University of York), you will be responsible for overseeing the successful delivery of the Centre’s plans to enhance our research skills base.   

As a strategic manager with a national outlook, this exciting role will involve engaging with the skills needs of social care researchers and practitioners across multiple universities and NIHR entities.  Guided by a cross-university working group and an academic lead, you will be instrumental in developing and delivering a programme of work to address skills gaps, working collaboratively with other organisations and teams who hold similar ambitions.  The postholder will be situated within the new Specialist Centre and work alongside newly appointed Strategic and Operational Managers.  The Specialist Centre is hosted within a prominent and growing social care research group which includes other large programmes of related work, such as the executive and administrative functions of the national NIHR School for Social Care Research.  

Role

The key responsibilities include:

• Developing a Research Skills Development workplan for the Specialist Centre, and managing delivery of associated milestone and deliverables

• Overseeing the administration and effective use of the Specialist Centre’s Skills Development budget

• Liaising and working collaboratively with wider RSS Hubs and Specialist Centres, maintaining effective working relationships and sharing lessons.

• Developing and maintaining awareness of skill needs in social care research, including growing attention to ‘inclusive research design’ and applying participatory methods and coproduction principles in research. 

• Responding in agile fashion to the Centre’s other operational needs as they arise, working effectively with colleagues;

• Developing own research-related skills through active involvement in activities linked to the needs of the Specialist Centre.

• Undertaking other related duties as part of the RSS Specialist Centre

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

The role requirements include the following knowledge and skills (see the job description for a full list):

• Experience of project and budget management

• Experience of stakeholder engagement and partnership development

• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to deliver to a high standard of quality 

Experience in teaching or training organisation and delivery would be a distinct advantage, as would knowledge of research processes and skills such as through a PhD or equivalent experience in social care research or a related discipline.

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Mark Wilberforce at mark.wilberforce@york.ac.uk

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork