POSITION DETAILS

School of Chemical Engineering
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2026
Closing date: 9th July 2025
UK travel may be required for this role

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE

• Educated to Degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent technical qualification and considerable relevant experience. Where no equivalent qualification is held, significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a series of more demanding roles will be required demonstrating the conceptual understanding required.
• Experience in the management of dynamic facilities, within a higher education or research environment is desirable.
• Hold a professional qualification in health and safety e.g. IOSH (The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) or NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) or extensive experience of managing health and safety in a laboratory, workshop or high risk regulated environment and willingness to undertake qualification.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of relevant Health and Safety regulations and experience of applying these to the working environment is essential.
• A demonstrable ability to understand and interpret a wide range of academic requirements, proposing solutions and creating a package of technical tasks to achieve within given deadlines.
• Ability to apply a creative approach to problem solving, analysing issues, devising solutions, and creating opportunities with an appreciation of longer-term implications and taking account of all stakeholder requirements.
• Excellent communication skills, adapting the approach to engage and relay information to staff at all levels in the organisation, students and visitors.
• Experience in preparing reports for submission and delivering presentations to academic, senior and external stakeholders.
• Excellent time management skills to handle broad workload and a collaborative schedule across multiple teams and locations, whilst delivering multiple projects with competing targets.
• Proven track record in building and developing a team, aligning business as usual with reactive operational needs and realising the organisations strategic vision. A management or leadership qualification e.g. ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) is desirable.
• Excellent people management skills with the ability to instil a positive culture with an ethos of proactive academic support and motivating teams through change.
• Ability to negotiate, mediate and deal effectively with sensitive or difficult issues.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

CORE COMPETENCIES/TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully demonstrate the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown below. As appropriate for the level, our Birmingham Professionals will take ownership for getting things done. You will be expected to be flexible as required in supporting your department and the wider University.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Technical Manager has a critical role in creating a world-class academic environment. The post reports to the School Head of Operations and works in full collaboration with the School Operations Team and Head of School. Collaborating with academics, the post-holder forms an essential link for information flow between the Technical and Academic Teams. Forging links across all functions, they lead in the safe delivery of Technical Service operations in line with the School, College and University.

MAIN DUTIES

• Supports the School in its capability and ambitions through operational oversight of the estate, core technical facilities, and resources, ensuring the safety of all users.
• Through allocation of a team of technicians, supports a wide range of School operational activities, including the facilitation of events, technical logistics, hazardous material handling and providing flexible support in labs and workshops.
• Liaises with Workplace Wellbeing, Occupational Health, Security Services, Estates and College to manage safety in building operations, e.g. induction, fire safety, first aid cover, security and provision of training for users.
• In collaboration with Estates, manages the statutory compliance of the building and technical facilities, e.g. LEV, pressure systems, lifting equipment, water quality.
• Manages a register throughout the lifecycle of equipment in the School, working in collaboration with academics and the operations team in procurement, installation, maintenance and disposal.
• In close collaboration with the Technical Team, and in liaison with estates and contractors, retains full oversight of maintenance, refurbishment and improvement projects, scheduling work, tracking progress and managing stakeholder relationships and requirements throughout.
• Manages support for technical and building queries, and provision of user services e.g. building access, security and desk allocation.
• Manages communication to disseminate information to users and stakeholders, through electronic update, formal reporting, and presentation.
• Manages a team, providing inclusive leadership to instil a culture of proactive and collaborative support.
• Leads in the recruitment of core technical staff, ensuring alignment with operational need and School strategic direction.
• Monitors staff performance, development and wellbeing, seeking development opportunities to align individual direction with potential future operational need.
• Play a key role in the Performance Development Review scheme for technical staff, conducting reviews of some, delegating others and making/commenting on any recommendations for reward.
• Manages and tracks staff allocation of work to achieve targets, retaining flexibility to achieve School strategic priorities.
• Acting as the School Health and Safety Coordinator, represents the School and acts as a champion for best practice in health and safety, retaining full oversight of health and safety across the School estate.
• To convene and assist the Head of School chair the School H&S Committee. To represent the School on the College H&S Committee as school health and safety co-ordinator.
• Monitoring compliance with health and safety processes and ensures remedial action is taken where necessary. At times this may include stopping activities that are unsafe or otherwise dangerous or illegal. To ensure all statutory testing of equipment and facilities is carried out.
• Ensure robust systems are in place for the investigation of all reported accidents and incidents, putting in place procedures to minimise the risk of accidents being repeated. Carry out reactive monitoring of School policies and guidance by the investigation of all accidents/incidents and near misses. Take appropriate supportive action if staff are injured.
• Nominate staff for safety-related activities. Ensure there are appropriate numbers of individuals trained in First Aid and as Fire Wardens, to provide adequate cover for all geographical areas within the School. Monitor personal protective equipment requirements.
• Ensure all relevant statutory and other relevant guidance notices/signage is appropriately displayed.
• To manage effective and efficient systems for handling waste (hazardous and otherwise) generated by the core business activities of the School. Ensure compliance with all legislation and University policies covering the management of waste.
• Encourage staff and students to consider environmental and sustainability issues arising from their work, in areas such as equipment procurement, energy use and waste management.
• Contributes to improvement projects and production of the health and safety action plan, monitor outcomes, benefits, and cultural shift.
• Acts as an advisory service to all users and visitors, both internal and external in health and safety in the School’s technical facilities and laboratories, ensuring experimental activities prioritise safety in design and management.
• Holds responsibility for the production and review of safety documents, contributing to, and conforming with procedural systems ensuring they remain robust.
• Manage School security arrangements and ensure compliance with School/ University policies. Day to day activities would include appropriate management of swipe card access, issuing of keys etc.
• Liaises with Security Services and Emergency Services, and acts as a nominated person for out of hours call out.
• Working in close collaboration with Estates:
• Ensure that fabric and furnishings are kept up to a good standard in all areas of the School.
• To contribute to the development of policies, procedures, plans and strategies for the assigned areas of responsibility, liaising with the Head of Operations and Head of School, as appropriate.
• To have responsibility for the planning and maintenance of the School’s technical infrastructure, including the equipment and facilities to underpin the School’s operations and strategy. This will involve liaison with University Estates Office and College-level staff with responsibility for Estates and Facilities.
• To act as the main School representative and contact for capital projects relating to the School’s estate.
• Keep an oversight of all small scale works and contribute to capital work programmes as appropriate, under the direction of Estates.
• To oversee the management and operation of all School-owned technical space including laboratories, and associated facilities which support teaching and research activities.
• Assisting the Head of School and Head of Operations in reviewing and planning the utilisation of space, plant, equipment and services. Ensuring that future requirements can be fully integrated with existing facilities and that they map on to the current College Strategic Plan.
• To provide detailed input into School planning activity to ensure that technical resources continue to meet the needs of the School in terms of structure, skills and quality of service.
• Understand and anticipate the needs of the School, maintaining and developing staff existing skills and level of service provision; ensuring skills remain fit for purpose regarding compliance with current and future objectives, internal and external regulations or codes of practice, and preparing and presenting robust business cases for staffing, resourcing and other forms of investment through reports and presentations.
• Promotes equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

ROLE CONTEXT

The School Technical Manager has oversight of all aspects of Technical Services relating to the provision of facilities. The role works in close collaboration with the School Operations Team to achieve common goals within business as usual and to deliver strategic goals. The post-holder will have a commitment to personal and professional development and the opportunity to develop the role to fit operational need and the strategic direction of the School. The role is a central point of contact for academics requiring technical support, and for technicians as they progress through their career, focussing on maintaining excellent collaborative relationships.