Band 6 Research and Development Business Manager-Bristol

Job overview

It is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Business Manager with an interest in research, to help the department further innovative and creative practice.

The R&D Business Manager will provide a business support and development function, alongside financial and contracts management of research in AWP. We are a small but important team, with approximately 25 research staff supporting the development and delivery of research.

Our work covers a broad range of topic areas, including exploring novel treatments for psychosis, bipolar, difficult-to-treat resistant depression and dementia. You will work with our supportive and inclusive team to manage the business and administration across the department.

This position offers an opportunity to use your skills and experience in a stimulating and rewarding environment. We look forward to hearing from you.

The role is offered for a minimum permanent contract of 30 hours per week (0.8WTE) up to 37.5 hours per week (1.0WTE), which is flexible on the wishes of the successful candidate.

Interviews will take place on 4^th and 5^th June. You will need to be available for interview on these dates.

Main duties of the job

The R&D Business Manager will support the Director and Associate Director in the smooth operational management of R&D, providing excellent administration functions throughout the department to include:

General and specialist advice and assistance in the preparation, negotiation and execution of a range of research contracts and agreements.

Support with the financial management of R&D budgets, including grant finance preparation, reporting, budget support and forecasting.

Liaison with external Sponsors, funding agencies (including industry, charities, Department of Health & Social Care, NIHR), and other organisations to negotiate financial and contractual obligations – liaising with Trust departments as required.

Management of the Trust’s Research Capability Funding (RCF) calls for projects.

Pre and post research award grant support.

Working for our organisation

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To promote, develop and lead a research positive environment that supports high quality research by supporting research leaders. This will include encouraging, initiating, and building and supporting collaborative relationships with other partners to contribute to the development of programmes of research.

To act as the first point of contact for all grant-related and commercial related enquiries.

To support R&D within the Trust, through the day to day provision of advice and financial information to researchers and the Finance Department, under the guidance of the R&D Senior Management Team.

To support the Director and Associate Director in the smooth operational management of R&D, including the provision of excellent administration functions throughout the department.

Accountable for the provision of business coordination to R&D in line with internal and external cycles of business. To ensure the timely, comprehensive and monthly performance reporting by R&D.

To undertake other defined project work as required.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Educated to NVQ level 7/Degree level qualification or equivalent qualifications / experience

Experience

• Significant experience in a similar role – preferably within the NHS or Universities sector

Experience

• Operational management experience including project, financial and line management

Skills

• Ability to analyse and interpret specialised, confidential research management information.

Skills

• Excellent IT literacy, particularly in the use of MS Office applications, including Excel, Word, email and internet use.

Skills

• Highly self-motivated and able to work on own initiative.

Skills

• Adaptable and flexible approach to duties to meet deadlines and the changing needs of the organisation.

This includes people with a variety of disabilities and neurodivergent conditions (for example autism, ADHD, sensory, physical and learning disabilities).

We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service users.

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Please apply to join us, we would love to hear from you. Any personal details you supply to us are kept safe in line with the General Data Protection Regulations.

Adverts normally close for application a few minutes before midnight on the closing date and we will let you know if we are offering you an interview by email via our recruitment system ‘TRAC’. We contact all applicants within 4 weeks after the closing date, so please check your emails regularly once you have submitted your application; you are welcome to contact us, via the TRAC system, if you have any queries about your application.

Please note the use of AI is monitored and if you have used it in your application you are required to declare this.