Consultancy and Tenders 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

The Role and Department

Consultancy and Tenders Manager

Research and Innovation Services (RIS) offers guidance, expert advice, and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related activities. This includes securing funding, collaborating with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice, and supporting professional development.

This post will sit in the Contracting hub within the Research Operations Team. Research Operations is the largest team in the division and provides comprehensive support to academic and Professional Support Staff (PSS) colleagues throughout the lifecycle of a research project. The team comprises pre- and post-award services, contracting, and consultancy support. This includes tailored financial and contractual advice and management for all researchers at Durham, from planning, costing, and pricing the initial proposal to ensuring that contracts and agreements are negotiated effectively and efficiently and managing live awards.

Research Operations collaborates closely with the various teams within RIS and partners with Professional Support colleagues across the University. This collaboration helps facilitate research-related planning, reporting, and development, meeting the needs of both individual researchers and the wider institution.

Working in consultation with the Head of Business Development and the Head of Research Operations, you will take responsibility for the development and implementation of a new model for efficiently seeking, managing, and growing consultancy and tender activity across Durham University.

The post-holder will be an enthusiastic and determined individual with experience operating in a business-focused professional environment. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing expert advice and guidance to academics to support the development of consultancy and tender activity across the university. This includes developing and implementing processes to manage the submission of bids, costing and pricing of bids and ensuring adherence to all internal and external regulations and procedures.
• Issuing and reviewing draft agreements and contracts, negotiating appropriate changes to ensure consistency and adherence to set standards, whilst aiming to achieve the best possible terms for Durham. This will be done in consultation and collaboration with Durham University's Legal Support team.
• Undertaking due diligence and risk management activities, proposing actions to mitigate risk, and ensuring contracts and agreements comply with university policies and governance regulations, such as ethical approval requirements

It is essential that the Consultancy and Tenders Manager is highly organised, pays close attention to detail, and has a proactive approach to problem-solving. The capability to prioritise and manage a busy and varied workload is crucial, as is the need to delegate and oversee the work of a dedicated support officer when required. The ability to work across a number of concurrent projects at different stages of development is essential. As a confident communicator, you will form close working relationships with members of RIS, Legal Services, Heads of Department, Directors of Research, Department Managers, and other members of Professional Support Staff.

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 - please include or delete if not applicable
• 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 and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
• 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.

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.
Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience
Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).Experience of negotiating commercial agreements in a higher education, research or professional services environment.Experience of tender and consultancy bid management in a higher education, research or professional services environment.Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.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.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
Desirable Criteria
Experience of managing and developing a team or teams and/or line management qualification.
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 essential criteria within the Person Specification (above) and where possible, the desirable criteria.

Contact details
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Sally Hewlett - s.a.hewlett@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
• Manage the bid submission and contract negotiation of Tenders and Consultancy across the University to a high standard.
• Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from colleagues and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
• Look for ways to improve 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

• Manage the delivery of operational activities carried which you are responsible for.
• Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of your team.
• Review data on the level of service provided by your area to recommend areas for future improvement.

Team Development

• Manage and monitor the performance, workload and expected outcomes of a support officer and take action to respond anything that impacts on the service level provided.
• Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members.
• Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on objectives and expectations and identify any development needs.
• Ensure that your team continues to develop by coaching and mentoring team members and delivering any training needs.
• Support the welfare and wellbeing of your team referring more complex issues to specialist 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 participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
• Coordinate and oversee committees and other business meetings and deal with any related complaints.
• Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes.
• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links
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.

---