Cluster Manager (PROMISE Population Health Improvement Cluster)

at  Kings College London

Job id: 085712. Salary: £51,974 - £56,283 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.
Posted: 04 March 2024. Closing date: 24 March 2024.
Business unit: IoPPN. Department: Psychological Medicine.
Contact details: Dr Jayati Das-Munshi. jayati.das-munshi@kcl.ac.uk
Location: Denmark Hill Campus. Category: Professional & Support Services.
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Job description
In April 2024, IoPPN, King’s College London will establish a national Population Health Improvement Cluster (PHIC) with a focus on mental health, funded by UKRI. This will be one of four research themes focussing on mental health, and is part of a new national research network, funded by UKRI (Population Health Improvement UK).
This is a strategically important development for KCL and involves partnerships across King’s and with national and non-academic collaborators. Our major partner for this initiative will be with local government (Thrive LDN) and the Cluster will be a disseminated UK-wide partnership spanning 10+ universities and other organisations across the country, alongside people with lived experience. This is an exciting interdisciplinary initiative which will require all members of this emerging network to work together with an open mindset, with a view to understanding and addressing the inequities which underlie mental ill health nationally.
The Cluster Manager will work closely with the Co-Directors on strategy, planning, and delivery of the Cluster’s aims. Under the overall direction of the Co-Directors, the Cluster Manager will provide high-level management of all non-academic Cluster activities and day-to-day operations, including oversight of budgets, organisation of events and meetings, delivery of internal and external reports, support for grant applications, and communications and engagement with external partners. The Cluster Manager will also work closely with programme and other leads in the Cluster to support the delivery of research programmes, career development and capacity building activities, and engagement and impact work.
The Cluster Manager will line manage the Senior Project Officer (PROMISE) at KCL and will also work closely with a support team at Thrive LDN, to ensure impact, engagement and networking activities of the cluster are well coordinated. The role will suit a motivated and organised individual with a high-level knowledge of funder policies (especially UKRI) and university procedures in relation to research grant administration. You will demonstrate an ability to clearly articulate policies and processes and build strong working relationships with professional service and research staff within the Cluster as well as the wider Schools and Faculty PS research support teams and the College’s Research Management and Innovation Directorate (RMID).
As this role will be supporting a large national disseminated network, the post-holder will be expected to travel to partner sites in London and other parts of the UK with occasional overnight stays.
The post-holder will be expected to work on campus 2 – 4 days per week (in agreement with the Line Manager)
This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract until 31st March 2028.
Please contact jayati.das-munshi@kcl.ac.uk for any informal queries about this role.
Key responsibilities
General
Liaise directly with internal and external partners and funders in an independent manner.
Use initiative, discretion, knowledge, and experience in planning, coordination, organisation, and problem solving.
Manage any ad-hoc projects or activities, as directed by the Cluster Co-Directors, which may arise with respect to the strategic and/or operational needs of the Cluster.
Line manage the Senior Project Officer (PROMISE)
Provide key support in facilitating the efficient monitoring the cluster activities and day-to-day operations, including oversight of budgets, organisation of events and meetings, delivery of internal and external reports, support for grant applications, and communications and engagement with external partners.
Support the delivery of research programmes, career development and capacity building activities, and engagement and impact work.
Cluster Management
To be responsible for the management of all non-academic activities and operations in order to support and maximise delivery of the Cluster’s aims.
To support the Cluster’s commitment to the delivery of internationally renowned research, education, and impact.
Manage and deliver effective operations support across the Cluster.
Initiate and manage change successfully, as required.
To maintain data systems for each project, electronic wherever possible, in accordance with systems for scanning, storage, retrieval, and disposal of records, and in compliance with College regulations and GDPR.
Establish supportive and effective working relationships with Cluster staff and stakeholders including peer researchers, lived experience advisors, local government and community partners.
Finance
Manage all Cluster budgets, ensuring appropriate robust control and monitoring and that all financial transactions within the Cluster comply with College financial regulations.
Provide regular, relevant budget management information to the Co-Directors, as requested.
Ensure that the Cluster complies with funding bodies’ regulations and procedures and that budgets are managed appropriately and expended for the purpose intended.
Review all financial expenditure and provide advice and direction including on issues around auditing requirements.
Manage detailed administrative and financial databases on all projects.
Approve expenditure up to agreed limits.
Be the key liaison with all university departments, relevant ethics and R&D committees, funding bodies, partners, subcontractors.
Administration
Provide the Cluster and individual members of staff with timely and efficient project management, responsive problem solving, and prioritisation/organisation.
Work closely with the Thrive LDN and KCL administrative support team, to ensure the successful delivery of all cluster support services.
Liaise with KCL professional services (Department of Psychological Medicine) to ensure Cluster activities remain integrated with wider structures at KCL.
Advise Co-Directors on Human Resource matters for all KCL Cluster staff, such as recruitment, induction, probation, professional development, performance management, leave management, in liaison with KCL Head of School Administration and HR department.
Have line management responsibility for the Senior Project Officer (PROMISE) within the Cluster, taking the lead on the supervision, training & development and performance review.
Ensure that members of the Cluster comply with King’s safety and security policies.
Work with the Thrive LDN team to plan and organise meetings, events, and conferences, including minute taking.
Manage the Cluster’s physical space at KCL, liaising with Estates and Faculty colleagues when necessary.
Communication & Networking
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Cluster staff and with Cluster partners.
Work closely with Cluster staff across organisations, to oversee planning and delivery of annual away days, conferences and other cross-partner engagement events (in-person at a variety of UK locations and online).
Work with College and Faculty staff, and with the Thrive LDN team, as appropriate, to develop and maintain internal and external communications and public engagement, promoting the Cluster’s profile, including appropriate use of web and print media.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional services staff from across the College, including Faculty, Estates, HR and Finance.
Decision Making, Planning, & Problem Solving
Manage and prioritise own workload and oversee the workload of the Cluster’s Senior Project Officer (PROMISE), ensuring Cluster priorities and objectives are effectively supported.
Resolve problems where the optimal solution may not be immediately apparent and where there is a need to use judgement and be proactive in resolving problems that are unpredictable and / or occur infrequently.
React fast and proactive in resolving problems related to administrative and financial tasks, in accordance with the College procedures.
Service Delivery
Provide a very high level of project management and financial support independently and in a timely manner.
Review regularly the Cluster’s operational administrative structure with a view to ensuring an efficient and effective service.
Demonstrate flexibility in providing support to the Cluster.
Work on own initiative and unsupervised.
Analysis & Research
Establish, collect, maintain, and analyse relevant data and management information to inform the Co-Directors of the impact of internal and external issues on the financial and operational strategy of the Cluster, as appropriate.
Provide documentation and produce reports as required.
Be able to analyse financial information and produce reports.
Establish and maintain systems regarding key performance indicators, reporting of research outcomes and providing comprehensive support to reviews.
Teamwork, Teaching & Development
Identify team workload, give direction, and communicate a clear vision of what is to be achieved overall, setting goals for the team and individuals.
Pastoral Care
Team development will be an important and integral part of the job and will involve undertaking training or development activity according to the needs of an individual or group.
Work within a team on a day-to-day basis and provide mutual support.
The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Skills, knowledge, and experience
Essential criteria
1. Post graduate degree (MSc or PhD) OR equivalent substantial relevant experience
2. Ability to manage large budgets (£1m+) and provide budget monitoring information.
3. Good understanding of research management policies including cost recovery
4. Excellent knowledge of financial and HR software e.g. PeopleXD, Unit 4 Business World, Worktribe or other equivalent systems
5. Good understanding of Human Resources administration
6. Ability to analyse problems and proactively identify solutions or drive new projects
7. Highly developed verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to liaise with staff at a range of levels, internally and externally
8. Proven track record in administration and management within a higher education environment, with experience of project/ programme management.
9. Experience of working to targets, task prioritisation and tight deadlines and work calmly under pressure
10. Setting up and maintaining office systems
11. Recruiting, managing, and developing individuals effectively
Desirable criteria
1. Project management or change management qualification or equivalent experience in large/strategic projects
2. Evidence of continuing professional development, including regular attendance on internal and external study programmes
3. Analysing, interpreting, and presenting data
4. Influencing and persuasion skills
5. Knowledge of Higher Education systems
Further information
The successful candidate is expected to develop an in depth understanding of the Cluster’s research profile, its strengths/weaknesses, staff capabilities, facilities, and opportunities for development.
This job description reflects the core activities of the role and, as the PROMISE Cluster develops, there will inevitably be changes in the emphasis of duties. It is expected that the post-holder recognises this and adopts a flexible approach to work and be willing to participate in training and to perform any other duties as may be requested from time to time commensurate with grade.
The post-holder will also:
act in a manner that will promote a positive image of the Cluster and King’s.
observe King’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
show flexibility in working hours as and when needed and be able to attend events
adhere to GDPR and confidentiality policies and procedures, never disclosing any confidential information either inside or outside work.
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service.

Please refer the Job description for details