Research Systems and Information Manager at Durham University

Durham, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

13 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

12 Feb, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Research Systems Management, System Implementation, System Functionality, Business As Usual Activities, System Improvements, Training Delivery, Communication, Problem Solving, Data Visualization, PowerBI, Requirements Gathering, Stakeholder Liaison, Strategic Decision-Making, Organized, Attention to Detail, Workload Prioritization

Industry

Higher Education

Description

Research Systems and Information Manager The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page. The Role and Department Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development. This post sits within the Policy, Systems and Performance team in Research & Innovation Services (RIS). The team is responsible for the University’s research information management systems, the overall governance and ethical framework for both funded and unfunded research & research related activities across the institution, support for institutional strategy development and the compilation of relevant returns including HEBCI, KEF, KEC and REF, as well as management information reporting relating to university research and knowledge exchange (RKE) activities. As a Research Systems and Information Manager you will be our research systems subject matter expert. You will provide specialist advice and guidance in relation to both the implementation of new research systems and additional functionality to our existing systems (Worktribe Research Management, Infonetica Ethics RM, and Dynamics CRM) as well as any business as usual activities and system improvements. You will be responsible for ensuring our research systems are configured in the most optimal and user-friendly way and that any associated training and communications will be delivered in a clear, concise and timely manner. You verify and authorise any work undertaken in the systems space by any other Systems team member. You will be responsible for delivering key reporting from research systems to enable strategic decision-making, including using tools such as PowerBI as well as in-system reporting tools. You will lead on requirements-gathering for reports, liaise with report stakeholders, and collaborate with other key departments in providing reports, such as the Strategic Planning and Insight Office. You will report to the Senior Manager – Research Systems and Reporting but will work closely with colleagues across the Research and Innovation Services Directorate as well as colleagues in faculties, departments and across professional support services. You will be a part of an enthusiastic team that is known for delivering transformational change. You will also be a key contact to a number of external system suppliers. The Research Systems and Information Manager is an extremely strong problem-solver with excellent communication skills. You as the Research Systems and Information Manager will act as an escalation point for cases where local system knowledge is not sufficient. If cases need to be escalated further, you will be leading on the work liaising with the appropriate internal and external stakeholders. It is essential that the Research Systems and Information Manager is highly organised and pays close attention to detail. The capability to prioritise and manage a busy and varied workload is crucial. The ability to work across business as usual activities and a number of concurrent projects at different stages of development is essential. This role is suitable for hybrid working, and office days are based at our exciting new professional services hub based at Boldon House. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16. Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience). 2. Relevant experience of managing research systems, for example Worktribe, Pure, etc. 3. Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of services and activities within the organisation. 4. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements. 5. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues. 6. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation. 7. Experience of using data visualisation software (e.g. PowerBI) to create reports. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 8. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally. 9. Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems. 10. Accuracy, numeracy and the ability to analyse, interpret, contextualise and explain complex information and data sets to a variety of audiences. 11. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition. 12. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines (e.g. General Data Protection Regulation). 13. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions. 14. Ability to be proactive and prioritise work effectively to meet demanding and often conflicting deadlines. Desirable Criteria 1. Experience of acting as subject matter expert on internal and external events and running presentations/training to a wide audience. 2. Relevant qualification in statistics, data science or related field or equivalent professional experience. 3. Experience of managing a team or leading others How to Apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What you need to submit • A CV: and • A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. When submitting evidence of each essential criteria, please ensure you use the essential criteria wording as the section heading. Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Rosi Jelfs, Senior Manager – Research Systems and Reporting (r.a.jelfs@durham.ac.uk). Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery/Development Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values. Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University’s frameworks and regulations. Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise, in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values, for example when developing reports for key stakeholders. Manage the delivery of research systems and reporting across the University to a high standard. Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from the University research community and contribute to ideas and service improvements. Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources. Look for ways to improve systems and reporting processes, techniques and outputs/results across all areas of your work. Identify any learning needs that should be met by the service and design activities and arrange any training. Planning and Organisation Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by Research and Innovation Services. Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of your Department. Seek feedback from the University research community so that the service is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements. Analyse data on the level of service being provided by Research and Innovation Services to recommend areas for future improvement. Meet the development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required. Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services. Communication/Liaison Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University’s policies, procedures and regulations are complied with. Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees. Coordinate and organise committees and other business meetings and deal with any related complaints. Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes. Use your expertise to provide training or guidance to other stakeholders. Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, for example with contractors and third-party suppliers, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers. Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Responsibilities

The manager will act as the research systems subject matter expert, providing specialist advice on the implementation and functionality of systems like Worktribe, Infonetica Ethics RM, and Dynamics CRM. Key duties include ensuring optimal system configuration, delivering training, authorizing system work, and producing strategic reports using tools like PowerBI.