Project Manager

Salary: £35,116 per annum

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.

Closing Date: 19 February 2025

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Research Project Manager to join the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, part of the Translational and Clinical Research Institute within the Faculty of Medical Sciences. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking translational medical research projects, many of which are multi-site and cross-disciplinary.

In this role, you will oversee a diverse portfolio of projects, including a large international study with over 40 participating centres across Latin America and an increasing focus on MRI research. Your work will directly support the advancement of medical science, helping drive innovation and improve outcomes for patients.

You will thrive in this role if you are adaptable, detail-oriented, and proactive, with a collaborative and supportive mindset. A willingness to travel both locally and internationally is essential.

Why Join Us?
At the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, you will be part of a passionate team dedicated to advancing medical research and improving lives in neuromuscular diseases. We offer a supportive environment with opportunities for growth and professional development.

Apply Today!
If you are ready to make a meaningful impact in translational medical research, we would love to hear from you. Apply now and take the next step in your career!

To apply for the position, we’ll need a copy of your CV which should outline how you are suitable for the role, with a particular focus on the essential criteria in the knowledge, skills and experience as listed in the job description.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Sam Fitzsimmons via sam.fitzsimmons@ncl.ac.uk

This is a full time post, fixed term until 31 December 2025 

Key Accountabilities

1. Act as the main point of contact for all parties involved in each project on a day-to- day basis, communicating clearly with investigators, project teams, collaborators and stakeholders and University professional services staff
2. Prepare detailed study/research timelines and milestones, monitoring progress on a continuous basis, with a clear understanding of any impact on the critical path
3. Actively manage project progress in association with the research, support and clinical teams to achieve milestones within set timescales. This may involve collaboration with other organisations e.g. funders, Universities, NHS Trusts and industry partners
4. Day-to-day management of project team support staff and coordination of staff recruitment e.g. data managers.
5. Develop an understanding of clinical governance and good clinical practice (GCP) to facilitate the management of low-risk clinical trials
6. Ensure the early identification of potential risks to meeting required objectives and coordinate the development of plans to recover the situation where possible, liaising with the funding body as appropriate, keeping the Investigator and research team fully appraised throughout
7. Manage the project finances including forecasting; liaison with the University’s Contract Financial Management Team and where appropriate, the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Trust finance departments to ensure financial transactions and reporting are managed in line with the contract and income is maximised; and holding regular meetings with project leads to ensure effective budget management
8. Organise regular project update meetings, maintaining appropriate communication with all stakeholders and ensuring actions are created in line with the project objectives/timeline. Ensure agreed actions are undertaken by those assigned responsibility. This will include managing agendas and minutes for meetings
9. Establish, organise and contribute to project management groups as required to support the project e.g. Advisory Boards, Steering Groups, inter- disciplinary working groups
10. Develop an understanding of the scientific, regulatory and technical elements of the project in order to cross communicate between different work package
11. Provide support for new grant applications as required. Manage the relationship with the funder and ensuring compliance with reporting requirements
12. Preparation for, and facilitation of, audits and/or inspections
13. Take responsibility for identifying own learning needs, including identifying appropriate courses to ensure up to date knowledge in the funding streams available to support translational research, as well as developing an awareness of the regulations governing clinical research and research data
14. Work as part of the JWMDRC team to develop common ways of working and promote the use of best practice in project management

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Fluent communication in Spanish (both oral and written) required for the delivery of the project.
• Advanced knowledge of project management and relevant business operating procedures
• Knowledge of project management methodology
• Knowledge of data analysis
• Experience of working as project manager in international multicentric projects
• A proven ability to manage projects to defined deliverables and meet audit requirements
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and verbally
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Excellent financial management skills
• Excellent IT skills, including competent use of Microsoft Office including MS Project, Excel and Access

Attributes and Behaviour

• An ability to work to deadlines, organise own workload and work independently
• The ability to work across department and cross-organisational boundaries to build effective relationships both internally and externally
• Attention to detail
• A proven ability to be adaptable, innovative and proactive in project work
• A positive and supportive attitude; ability to work flexibly and cooperatively with others
• Enthusiasm to undertake training and learn new skills
• Flexibility with respect to working hours
• Willingness to travel outside of the Newcastle area and when permitted internationally

Qualifications

• 1st degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in a relevant discipline and significant experience of working in project coordination or management

Newcastle University is a global University 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.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive 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 of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver  Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 27906