Senior Project Manager

Fixed Term Contract - (7-14 months)

Based at Alderley Park, Medicines Discovery Catapult is a national facility connecting the UK community to accelerate innovative drug discovery. We provide unique scientific capabilities and act as a gateway to UK resources and expertise, supporting UK SMEsto drive the development and industrialisation of new approaches for the discovery of new medicines.

By validating new ways of discovering medicines and driving key talent and expertise across the sector, we will support the UK life sciences industry, SMEs and innovators to deliver growth for the UK economy and maintain the UK’s heritage position as a globalleader in medicines R&D. Ultimately, new industrialised technologies are vital for delivering new medicines to patients, faster.

In March 2020 Medicines Discovery Catapult was tasked with the challenge of co-ordinating the creation of the UK’s Lighthouse Labs network and delivery of one of those labs, based at Alderley Park.?The Lighthouse Labs are the biggest diagnostic lab projectever established in British history.

**Role purpose**:
An opportunity has arisen in the Project Delivery Team for an experienced Senior Project Manager who is looking for a fixed term contract.

**Main duties and responsibilities**:
The jobholder will manage a portfolio of **high and medium complexity projects** across the business to ensure the desired result is achieved and the key stakeholders are satisfied, including high profile projects where stakeholder managementis pivotal.

Main duties include:

- Leading and developing high performing, collaborative teams including both internal and external team members to deliver and adapt to situations to ensure correct project delivery.
- Working closely with lead scientists and business development team to shape the scope of the project and ensure this is documented and updated throughout the lifecycle of the project.
- Working closely with legal to ensure correct agreements (including handling of intellectual property) are in place and signed (as required) for all projects before delivery commences.
- Developing, agreeing and monitoring project activities and outputs in accordance with the logic model.
- Working closely with all relevant internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of project outputs in line with partner expectations (schedule and quality).
- Liaising with the Project Finance Manager to understand how the project will be funded.
- Ownership of project budget. Establishing anticipated project spend & resources; tracking variances versus budget and ensuring any significant variances are communicated effectively, with remedial plans put in place where possible.
- Inputting, updating & maintaining project documentation and PPMA to ensure reports are accurate and up to date.
- Driving the management of project risks and issues across the catapult. Escalating risk and issues to Head of Project Delivery or other key stakeholders as appropriate.
- Providing good communication on all project matters across the whole business at all levels of the organisation, including external partners.
- Identifying opportunities which support continuous improvement of project process, documentation and reporting based on hands-on experience. Provide insight and feedback to PMO on project management processes and reporting requirements.

**Essential qualifications, experience and knowledge**:

- Significant experience in Project or Programme Management role
- Experience in managing complex and diverse set of projects
- Extensive experience of collaborating with external partners

**Desirable qualifications, experience and knowledge**:

- Project Management qualification
- Experience working in an innovative environment with both technical and commercial content
- Experience of managing projects within public and private sector organisations, including grant funded endeavours
- Degree or equivalent qualification

**Key Profile Attributes**:

- Prepared to take Personal Accountability for tasks and activities involved in
- Has a Collaborative style - able to lead and work within teams
- Displays high energy and enthusiasm to exceed expectations. Help push the sector to be a commercial success
- Has Commercial Acumen and an understanding of business issues
- Lead by Example
- diligent in promoting the importance of value added compliance to project team members. Demonstrates empathy and positive influencing skills.
- Strong communication skills
- Professional Development. Keeps up to date with professional knowledge, expertise and best practice
- Accurate with a strong focus on attention to detail
- An ability to manage multiple and varied projects and to prioritise the workload, whilst maintaining attention to detail
- Excellent organisational skills
- Proven ability to engage constructively with colleagues at all levels across different departments to deliver objectives
- Proven ability to consistently deliver projects to time, cost, and quality standards
- Excellent interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills aligned with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with peers, senior managers, and project team members
- Experience of working in a small-medium organisation with a pragmatic attitude
- A strong team player
- Solution orientated, removing barriers to ensure company success with a calm and level-headed approach
- Tenacity, persistence and determination to succeed in overcoming obstacles
- High capacity for change