JOB PURPOSE:
This role will provide operational management of a number collaborative research and development projects to ensure they are delivered effectively and delivered using the prescribed processes. The role is part of the wider Project Management Office (PMO) which enables WMG to have the flexibility to deploy skilled experienced project management professionals across a range of projects.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Project Management.
- Provide the operational management of the project(s) to ensure that the project objectives are achieved, the project team communicates its findings and operates within budget and resource constraints, including the provision of monitoring and reporting of activities to internal stakeholders and external bodies and to ensure the project’s overall successful delivery.
- Coordinating with stakeholders to ensure programme delivery efficiency and effectiveness will also entail:
a. All documentation including initiation documents, stage & detailed plans, product descriptions, timing, dependencies, and responsibilities is complete, always current, and available.
b. Updates to Project Tracking Documents at intervals as defined in Project Management Organisation cadence and production of quarterly project reports for funding bodies.
c. Tracking, review and reporting/escalation of project risks and liaison with risk owners to mitigate.
d. Co-ordinating Intellectual Property Protection, ensuring collaboration and non-disclosure agreements are in place with all consortium partners and suppliers.
e. Develop and maintain effective communications and working relationships with collaborators, partners and staff on the project team and stakeholders.
f. To ensure all projects follow the WMG Project Management methodology.
Delivery & Budget Management.
- Providing the Principal Investigator and Finance department with current financial status and forecasts for the projects with recommendations for corrective action where required. Regular monitoring of the budget to facilitate planning and decision-making.
- Providing financial reporting to Senior Management; Project Board; Advisory Group and/or Steering Committee in terms of spend, commitment and income against agreed financial targets.
- Research delivery, quality, and compliance:
a. Ensuring that research is conducted rigorously, and results are disseminated according to established procedures.
b. Ensure research team has the administrative support required to enable project delivery.
c. Work with members of the research team to identify, plan and implement funded research projects in line with funder requirements.
d. Liaising with post-doctoral staff and PhD students working on the research projects, including day-to-day supervision where appropriate.
People and Team.
- Coordinating recruitment to any vacancies that arise (in liaison with HR as needed).
- Project Communication Strategy:
a. Coordinate and manage project events (e.g., project meetings, conferences, seminars, and the final project conference), ensuring that all schedules, practical arrangements, papers, and minutes are produced, where required attending and following up on action points.
b. Establishment and management of the project website.
Policy and Process.
- Supporting new proposals under development, including bids for research funding from government, EU, and industrial sources. Liaising with potential partners, compiling information, and contributing to proposals.
- Support development and implementation of project management strategies to manage the activities of the project.
- Ensuring that projects meet governance/compliance requirements (e.g., ethics, personal data including GDPR, timesheets, reporting)
- Work with the project management organisation where required to develop or validate project management processes.
Administrative Duties.
- To work flexibly and respond positively to changing business and departmental needs and to carry out any other duties within the scope and nature and grade of the post.
- Maintain the resource and project tracker associated with the portfolio of any relevant research team(s).