Engineering and Design Programme Manager
Reports toChief Executive
Salary£42,000 - £52,000
Hours37.5 hours per week
LocationDesignability, Wolfson Centre, Royal United Hospital, Bath BA1 3NG
Designability is a research and development charity which brings together knowledge and expertise to enhance people’s lives by creating products that meet the needs of people with disabilities and health problems. We are engineering and design experts with a passion for creating life-changing products that redefine the experience and perception of disability and aging.
We base our work on human centred design. Whether we are developing our own products, or helping others, we know how to listen and translate needs into workable insights and person centred technologies. Our research helps us understand individual needs and challenges, identify the best solutions and inform our new product development work. Our aim is to develop and bring to market, great looking assistive technology products that make a real difference to the lives of people with disabilities and health problems.
Purpose of the role
Designability has a successful track record of developing and bringing new products to market, both directly and with commercial partners. The programme is currently delivered by a multidisciplinary team of engineers, designers and therapists. We have a quality manager who has responsibility for the implementation of a quality management system, the maintenance of regulatory files and project monitoring system.
The post holder will bring programme and resource management skills to the teamand take responsibility for delivery of the programme. The aim is to increase the impact of our work by establishing a more efficient product development and realisation programme.
The post holder will report directly to the Chief Executive and have line management responsibility for a multidisciplinary team. They will also manage resource allocation for new product development, research and consultancy work.
The Designability executive team is made up of the post holder, Head of Finance and, Commercial and Early Years Programme Manager. The post holder will work with the team to develop a business and operational plan that will enable the charity to realise its objectiveof making new products available to transform the lives of people with health problems and disabilities.
Key Duties
- To work with the executive team to deliver a strategic and operational plan that will enable the charity to fulfil its mission of making new products available that meet unmet needs.
- Programme management of product development and realisation, with responsibility for deliverables, budgets, resources and quality assurance.
- To work with research leads to ensure that appropriate resources are available to deliver our research programme.
- To work with the Commercial Manager and Senior Product Designer to commercialise our products and deliver consultancy services, in line with the business plan.
- Management of relationships with corporate engineering and design partners.
- To work with the Quality Manager, to ensure product development and realisation processes meet requirements of our ISO9001 Quality Management System.
- Maintain the Quality Management System and ensure that all products meet required regulatory standards and implement systems for post market surveillance.
- Maintain financial and strategic oversight of production and manufacturing facilities, including the provision and maintenance of Wizzybug product for the Early Years Mobility programme.
- Manage and support the team in order to deliver a product development and realisation programme and consultancy service.
- Oversee the preparation of project reports, to advise and attend the Projects and Research Governance Committee, as required.
- Attend and take part in executive team and Board meetings, as required.
Person Specification
Essential
Degree, or equivalent, in engineering, design, or other appropriate discipline
Programme and resource management across multiple projects in a team environment
Considerable experience as a senior manager in a product development environment including prototyping, evaluation and testing, design for manufacture
Experience of managing a multidisciplinary team
Experience of design and manufacturing processes including design optimisation and design for manufacture
Working within a formal Quality Management System
Good communication skills, with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels
High integrity and openness, combined with commitment to good governance
Desirable
Chartered Engineer with a demonstrable commitment to professional development
Formal project management qualification (Prince 2, or similar)
Experience of human or inclusive centred design processes
Intellectual property and asset management experience
Experience of lean manufacturing processes
Track record of successfully bringing new products to market through third party commercial agreements
Experience of engaging with corporate clients at senior management or director level
Experience of work within an ISO9001 or ISO 13485 environment for medical device development
Experience of managing the manufacture of medical devices or assistive technology
Track record of successful engagement with sales and marketing.
Further information
Designability is an independent charity
We are proud to work with the University of Bath. Full details of the post and online application form are available at
For informal enquiries please contact Nigel Harris, Designability Chief Executive:
or call 01225 824103.
Organisational structure
engineering and design programme manager 270717 finalP1/4