Main Purpose of the Job

The Programme Office lies at the heart of the Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI) programme.

Working alongside the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and Programme Director, the NGI Programme Manager is responsible for the coordination of NGI programme workstream (currently Construction, Business Change, Engagement & Communications and Fundraising) ensuring that they run smoothly, to provide maximum impact, and continue to develop to meet the needs of the NGI programme objectives as set out in the Outline Business Case (OBC).

The role will work closely with each of the programme workstreams leads who are responsible for the delivery of their respective workstreams, along with a range of other internal and external stakeholder, including UKRI, BBSRC et al.

Additionally, the NGI Programme Manager will act as Business Change Manager (BCM), supporting the JIC COO (and SRO) to lead the Business Change workstream working with specialist functional leaders to facilitate the change objectives.

The main elements of the role are to:
• Manage the programme office, including direct line management of PMO administration and support staff.
• Coordinate the outputs of the four NGI programme workstreams.
• Work closely with the SRO, Programme Director and programme workstream leaders.
• Responsible for maintaining a reporting framework for the programme that provides strong reliable assurance over the progress of the programme.
• Ensure clear interfaces with key internal and external stakeholders (UKRI, BBSRC, etc) are maintained and developed through the life of the NGI programme.
• Support the management and coordination of the Business Change workstream as directed by the SRO, working with Functional leaders and relevant heads of department to deliver the objectives set out in the OBC.

The NGI Programme Manager also manage a small team of Programme and Support staff with the day-to-day delivery and support of their allocated workstreams.

Key Relationships

Within John Innes Centre (JIC), you will be required to interact and work with staff at all levels, including Institute Director and their PAs, COO, NGI Programme Director, NGI Construction Director, NGI workstream leads, Heads of Departments, and Laboratory Managers.

Reporting to the SRO for Business Change Matters and Programme Director for Programme matters, this role will provide a high level of expertise to support the ongoing development of the NGI programmes.

 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Programme Manager
Day-to-day programme management of all workstreams throughout the full lifecycle from inspection through to close; potentially working within a wider programme of work, including:

Delivery Coordination
•Create workstream programme plans and lead engagement to deliver agreed outcomes;

Programme Management
•Set project controls, design the programme structure appropriate to stage;

Change Management
•Ensure effective change management processes are in place to agree and document changes to deliverables as agreed with stakeholders;

Resources
•Coordinate resources to deliver projects working alongside Workstream leaders.

•Supporting the Programme Director and other senior members in programme and workstream meetings.

•Being a champion for continuous improvement, not only for the NGI programme but also for JIC and the wider stakeholder organisations.

•Line managing, mentoring and nurturing in-house support staff and providing ‘on-the-job’ training to more junior members as required to promote continuous improvement of the team.

•Ensuring appropriate processes and project documentation are established, including project plans, Risk reports, Dashboard reports and highlight reports are developed and maintained.

•Management of programme office budgets; gaining sign off from stakeholders including Finance and Project/Programme Boards as required.

•Coordination of accurate, relevant and timely reporting to enable progress to be tracked centrally.

•Providing relevant reports to the programme boards, their meetings as and when required to support effective governance and decision making.

•Provide constructive support to the wider PMO function associated with the delivery of the Programme

Business Change Manager (BCM)
The BCM is responsible for ensuring the interests of the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) are met by the programme.

•Obtaining assurance for the SRO that the delivery of new capability is compatible with the realisation of benefits.

•Working with the wider programme team to ensure that the work of the programme, and the scope of each project, deliver the products or services that will lead to operational benefits.

•Working with the SRO and Workstream leads to identify ‘operational changes’ that will contribute to realising benefits and achieving outcomes referenced in the OBC.

•Overseeing the transition management, ensuring that business as usual is maintained during the transition and the changes are effectively integrated into the business.

•Support the relevant functional department head in preparing affected business areas for transition to new ways of working.

•Optimising the timing of the release of project deliverables into business operations.

•As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.
 

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

A level education, and or vocational experience

Essential

Programme Management qualification

Essential

Degree educated

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good working knowledge of procurement, contracts, and finance.

Essential

Ability to see the “big picture”.

Essential

Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Word and Excel

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Effective planning and programme management skills in a large and complex environment.

Essential

Experience and knowledge of programme management in research and scientific establishments.

Essential

Building and maintaining successful relationships with multiple different stakeholders, including colleagues, senior leaders, funding organisations and senior managers/functional heads

Essential

Monitoring and maintaining programme budgets, with the ability to forecast costs and adjust as required.

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity.

Essential

Excellent interpersonal skills.

Essential

Ability to engage with staff at all levels.

Essential

Ability to work collaboratively with multiple internal stakeholders and external contacts, effectively influencing and negotiating to achieve desired outcomes.

Essential

Ability to work both as part of a team and independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills.

Essential

Able to work flexibly and respond positively to changing demands/duties

Essential

Excellent time management and organisational skills.

Essential

Promote and strive for continuous personal and organisational improvement.

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

Attention to detail

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

John Innes Centre

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society.

Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.

For more information about working at the John Innes Centre, please click here.

We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme, a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).

Department

Directorate

Living in Norfolk

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NGI Programme & Change Manager
Salary:                £44,500 - £49,300 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract:           6 years, full time
Location:           John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date: 17 September 2024
Reference:        1004753

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an NGI Programme & Change Manager to join the Directorate Department, to support the cutting-edge science of the John Innes Centre.

About the Next Generation Infrastructure:

NGI is a programme of c£389m capital investment and business change to improve and evolve the research capabilities of the John Innes Centre (JIC) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) on their current site at the Norwich Research Park. The proposed investment would transform the existing capabilities of both centres via new and shared interdisciplinary research facilities with a goal for the facility to be near net-zero.

The Programme Office lies at the heart of the Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI) programme.

The role:

Working alongside the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and Programme Director, the NGI Programme Manager is responsible for the coordination of NGI programme workstreams (currently Construction, Business Change, Engagement & Communications and Fundraising) ensuring that they run smoothly, to provide maximum impact, and continue to develop to best meet the needs of the NGI programme objectives as set out in the Outline Business Case (OBC).

The role will work closely with each of the programme workstream leads who are responsible for the delivery of their respective workstreams, along with a range of other internal and external stakeholder, including UKRI, BBSRC et al.

Additionally, the NGI Programme Manager will act as Business Change Manager (BCM), supporting the JIC COO (and SRO) to lead the Business Change workstream working with specialist functional leaders to facilitate the change objectives.

The main elements of the role are to:

- Lead the programme office, including direct line management of PMO administration and support staff.
- Coordinate the outputs of the four NGI programme workstreams.
- Work closely with the SRO, Programme Director and programme workstream leaders.
- Responsible for maintaining a reporting framework for the programme that provides strong reliable assurance over the progress of the programme.
- Ensure clear interfaces with key internal and external stakeholders (UKRI, BBSRC, etc) are maintained and developed through the life of the NGI programme.
- Support the management and coordination of the Business Change workstream as directed by the SRO, working with Functional leaders and relevant heads of department to deliver the objectives set out in the OBC.
- Develop the Benefits Realisation Plan contained in the OBC to more clearly define the programme benefits and develop processes to assess progress towards achieving measured improvements in business operations.

The NGI Programme Manager also manage a small team of Programme and Support staff with the day-to-day delivery and support of their allocated workstreams.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will have experience and knowledge of programme management in research and scientific establishments, with proven ability in planning and programme management skills in a large and complex environment.

A good working knowledge of procurement, contracts, and finance is also essential, along with excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Word and Excel. 

The successful candidate will also have Programme Management qualification.  Holding a degree in a relevant subject would be advantageous.  

Additional information:

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity.  As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.