The successful candidate will have a proven track record of project management and the relevant expertise within the public or private sector. Ideally, s/he will be experienced in the biomedical/health research, education and/or innovation environment eg HEI, NHS or industry, and be familiar with project delivery across multiple and complex organisations. Some experience of working with industry would be beneficial. The post holder will report to the Director of Business Development but function, primarily, to support the Director of Business Development (Dr Linda Magee) and MAHSC Health Technology Lead (Professor Jackie Oldham) in project development and delivery for the MAHSC Health Technology Hub.

Background

MAHSC is a Federation of Equal Partners enabled by a Company Limited by Guarantee. The MAHSC Partners are: The University of Manchester; Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust; Salford Primary Care Trust (NHS Salford); Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust; The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and; University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust

The MAHSC partnership is one of only five AHSCs (Academic Health Science Centres) in the UK and the only one situated North of Cambridge. It has considerable research strengths and a substantial number of assets that combine to provide a unique offering in health technology including a wider interface with industry and the contribution to wealth creation in the City region. The coordination of assets is managed under the MAHSC Health Technology Hub and Business Development Directorate. This approach supports additional leverage through synergies between assets and others wherever possible.

Vision, Aim & Objectives

The vision is “To be a global centre of excellence for research, innovation and clinical delivery in health technology” with the aim: “To prevent illness, improve healthcare and support economic development.”

The objectives (Agreed by MAHSC Board 5 May 2012) are to:

1) Develop, grow and sustain MAHSC’s key platforms.

2) Attract public and private funding into the Greater Manchester economy.

3) Achieve global recognition for MAHSC, its partners and Greater Manchester in Health Technology.

Job Description

  • Fully support the MAHSC Director of Business Development and MAHSC Health Technology Lead to fulfil delivery of the MAHSC Health Technology Hub strategic and operational plan.

This will be done primarily by:

  • Providing project officer support for day-to-day operation of MAHSC Health Technology, in a manner consistent with the aims and approach of MAHSC Health Technology as directed by the MAHSC Director of Business Development and MAHSC Health Technology Lead.
  • Producing and maintaining appropriate project documentation and data acquisition as required for reports, reviews, financial and risk monitoring, PR and communication purposes etc and including support to the Health Technology Business Development Group and Advisory Board
  • Initiating, developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key stakeholders (local, national, international) and partners eg industry, as relevant to the day-to-day operation of specific projects.
  • Facilitating co-ordination of funding bids under day-to-day instruction of the MAHSC Director of Business Development and MAHSC Health Technology Lead and facilitating funder relationships and reporting requirements. This will include liaising with appropriate contracting and finance managers in the University of Manchester (and other MAHSC partners as appropriate) to ensure appropriate mechanisms, delivery and reporting in place for managing MAHSC Health Technology awards and contracts.
  • Providing input to development of communication and PR strategies for MAHSC Health Technology to raise the profile with both internal and external audiences and influence stakeholders.

Plus:

  • Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the MIMIT (Manchester: Integrating Medicine and Innovative Technology) Project Officer (with whom there will be a close operational alliance) and be able to deputise and provide support as required.
  • Providing any other project or general support required from time-to-time as stipulated by the MAHSC Director Business Development and/or MAHSC Health Technology Lead.

Person Profile

The successful candidate will exhibit the follow characteristics:

  • A focus on delivery with strong communication skills to support project teams in a complex multi-organisational environment.
  • A team player with a confident approach, combined with the appropriate sensitivity and diplomacy, who is capable of interacting with personnel at all levels and across multiple disciplines.
  • The passion, drive and energy to play an important role in making MAHSC a truly international centre for excellence in Health Technology Innovation.

S/He must also be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

  • Project Management

o  Able to act on instruction and execute project development and delivery plans and revises as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements.

o  Manages day-to-day contracting issues (in liaison with relevant experts) and the operational aspects of a project and scope.

o  Effectively applies standard project management methodology and enforces project standards.

o  Prepares documentation for project development, reports, reviews and quality assurance procedures.

o  Ensures project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately.

o  Provides project accounting information and liaises with finance managers for monitoring and financial reporting.

  • Communication

o  Facilitates meetings effectively.

o  Keeps project team well informed of any internal/external changes that impact the project.

o  Effectively communicates relevant project information to superiors.

o  Delivers engaging, informative, well-organized presentations.

o  Resolves and/or escalates issues in a timely fashion.

o  Understands how to communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully.

Person specification

Required / Desirable
Project management experience / Experience of working in industry
Experience of working on complex multi-organisational structures
Maintaining strong working relationships with a number of stakeholders / Initiating and developing strong working relationships with key stakeholders
Passion and drive
Maintaining communication updates / Developing communication strategies
Facilitating co-ordination of funding bids

Terms and Conditions

The post holder will report to the MAHSC Director of Business Development but with additional day- to-day direction and instruction from the MAHSC Health Technology Lead. For the purposes of appraisal the MAHSC Director of Business Development will set the post holder’s deliverables and personal development objectives.

The appointment will be until the 31/03/2015 with potential for renewal of contract thereafter, subject to review. The post holder will be an employee of the University of Manchester based in the MIMIT Offices, Manchester Institute for Biotechnology.

Salary range £29,249-£35,938 (Grade 6)

Informal enquiries

For informal enquiries contact Dr Linda Magee () or Professor Jackie Oldham ().