Head of Science and Project Support

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is a national research organisation, delivering integrated marine science and technology from the coast to the deep ocean and is one of the top five institutions of its kind in the world. With sites in Liverpool and Southampton, it is the UK's leading centre for sea level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development., NOC is part of the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC), which is one of the nine partners within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). For more information visit ., UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, and a vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at . The National Oceanography Centre (NOC), part of the Natural Environment Research Council, is a national research organisation, delivering integrated marine science and technology from the coast to the deep ocean and is one of the top five institutions of its kind in the world. With sites in Liverpool and Southampton, it is the UK's leading centre for sea level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development. Working closely with its partners and associates, it provides capability to meet needs across the UK marine science community (). The National Oceanography Centre is seeking a Head of Science and Project Support to provide visible leadership to the Project Management Profession and its user community. The role develops and assures the delivery of an effective and efficient service ensuring appropriate support is available to all Delivery Leads, Principal investigators and the members of each Group in support of their delivery obligations. Paramount to the success of this customer service function is building and developing a team that communicates and builds commitment to a shared vision and sense of purpose so that they can support business areas to take decisions and take the lead in their area of expertise. You will have oversight of a variety of projects by leading, mentoring and developing the relevant Project Managers and Project Support Officers to ensure efficient delivery e.g. on time, on budget and that the risks are managed and that benefits are delivered over time. A crucial aspect of the role is to lead on the development of continuous improvement through the establishment of lessons learnt logs that need to be maintained and used on a regular basis. NOC aims is to become independent from NERC/UKRI by establishing NOC as a Company Limited by Guarantee with charitable status. The Head of Science and Project Support will play a pivotal role in leading the team through this significant organisational change, acting as a role model to the wider community throughout the transition, demonstrating positive behaviours and professional excellence by capitalising on the opportunities that the change will bring., The Science and Project Support function at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) sits within the Corporate and Business Support Directorate (CBS) and provides the professional support services, for the whole of NOC in support of it achieving its stated mission. The role of the Science and Project Support is to lead and champion Project Delivery across NOC. Job Purpose: The Head of Science and Project Support (SPS) is responsible for the strategic development of the project delivery profession and to assure the provision of a seamless, effective and efficient project support and project management function to all of NOC. Providing delivery of a high quality, flexible and professional responsive service to ensure that NOC delivers creative and successful research activities. The role will ensure the proactive development of processes to support academics, facilitate collaboration with external bodies, ensure an appropriate response to institutional risk, and assure compliance with financial, regulatory and governance requirements. Expectations of the role: The post provides visible leadership to the project team and wider stakeholder community, being a role model for professional excellence and positive behaviours. You will have a key role in managing relationships, on an overall business partnering basis, working with all the other CBS Group Heads in identifying changing service and business requirements, as new areas of work are taken on, and proactively making recommendations for improvements to service levels, processes and procedures as required that may involve a level of strategic challenge. A critical element in successful delivery of this post will be an underlying understanding of the work that is undertaken across the Centre and to engage with the staff in a positive and pro-active way. Key Accountabilities/Primary Responsibilities: * proactively lead the development of the team in line with the evolving needs of the Centre and its constituent parts * provide coaching and mentoring, encouraging members of the team to achieve their potential, share skills and knowledge; ensuring there is flexibility and adaptability built into the team or through other teams to provide cover during periods of absence or transition * ensure the Team provide advice and support throughout the process covering all pre- and post- award functions and including advice on financial and legal regulations, ensuring all necessary processes have been completed * dissemination of lessons learnt from successful and unsuccessful large grant applications and feedback on good practice within the bid development process * lead and champion a cultural shift towards fully utilising project management processes to provide a centre-wide approach to identify, prioritise and successfully execute a portfolio of complex, inter-related initiatives and projects that are aligned with NOC's strategic goals * maintaining an overview of the DST, BODC and NMF portfolios, ensuring the impact of changes to one project are reflected in all the interconnected projects (e.g. across a portfolio) and that contracts are amended where required * ensuring the SPS team keep project budgets up to date through regular project reviews, meeting regularly with Finance to ensure the reporting is up to date and accurate, providing assurance that risks associated with projects are understood and monitored across the life of the project and reflected in the risk register * work closely with the NOC Senior Management to remain abreast of research interests across NOC and their evolution; understanding the development of strategically important research areas to ensure support to academic leads in scoping opportunities and then supporting delivery of major project proposals * working with Senior Management in the delivery Directorates to develop institutional policies and processes relevant to the full lifecycle of research and innovation, ensuring continuous improvement to systems and processes to support academics. E.g. implementation of lessons learned logs and benefit realisation planning * working with Head of People and Skills in developing and implementing a NOC wide operational approach to workforce planning, with an aim to providing a structured process for generating achievable workforce plans that ensure the effective delivery of NOC's strategic mission by having people with the right knowledge, skills and behaviours in the right place at the right time * providing or arranging for the provision of MI to aid strategic planning and decision making, working with the Head of Finance to deliver reporting and CARP processes that work to inform and support all of NOC. Expectations of all staff: * comply with Research Council and NERC policies at all times, including Equal Opportunities Policies and ensure that duties are carried out in accordance with relevant policies, procedures and guidance documents as directed by NOC * promote and demonstrate a personal commitment to NOC values and People Strategy * promote and demonstrate a personal commitment to Working with Respect - NOC Guidance * attend relevant seminars, workshops and training events and maintain professional development by completing CPD (Continuous Professional Development) appropriate to the role * maintain a safe working environment by attending Health and Safety training as required and follow local codes of safe working practices and actively contribute to embedding a safety culture across NOC * adopt and promote awareness of NOC's environmental aims and other initiatives * carry out other duties within the scope, spirit and general purpose of the post and adopt a flexible approach to work * as duties and responsibilities change this job description will be reviewed and revised in consultation * undertake such other duties within the scope of the post as may be reasonably requested by your Manager. As Head of Science and Project Support, you will provide vision and leadership to develop and deliver an excellent service, essential to this is extensive experience leading successful project teams. Throughout this experience, you will have developed excellent mentoring and coaching skills, with a proven track record of developing individuals and teams to their full potential. Experience of leading teams through significant change and implementing business change products would be highly desirable. You will report to and work closely with the Associate Director of Corporate Business Support as an integral member of the wider Corporate Business Support (CBS) Directorate. You will work with your counterparts across CBS on a business-partnering basis to ensure continuity and alignment, and a cost-effective, customer focus corporate service to NOC's delivery directorates..... click apply for full job details