Research Project Manager

Applications are invited for a 5-month, full-time Research Project Manager post working in Bangor Business School with the Data Analytics and Financial Innovation (DAFI) Research Group.

This post will support the DAFI Group to project manage a funded project to survey Welsh businesses. The role-holder will manage the administration of the survey (conducted via face-to-face interviews), and organise and manage focus groups. The project will also involve working with DAFI group members in the production of project reports describing and analysing the findings from the survey.

The successful candidate will have at least an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Business or a related field with a strong analytics component, or equivalent experience. They should also be experienced in managing time-limited multidisciplinary projects, preferably involving data analytics, as well as ability to produce reports.

The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as possible.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post.

This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.

Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.

Prospective candidates are welcome to contact Professor Adrian Gepp ([email protected]) for an informal discussion of any aspects relating to this post.

Closing date for applications: 07/04/2024

Committed To Equal Opportunities

Bangor University’s Business School is embarking on an ambitious new research and innovation expansion and has recently created the new Data Analytics and Financial Innovation (DAFI) Research group. The group is led by Dr Laurence Jones and includes Professor Adrian Gepp, and Dr He He.

The DAFI group’s highest priority is improving the operations of Welsh businesses using data analytics. Practical business applications of data analytics using real data is a growing area of academic research.

It will help improve local business practices, and benefit the broader Welsh economy which we believe lacks key expertise in the area. The purpose of this role is to support the DAFI group in this aim by being a research associate and project managing the following project.

The project is aiming to understand two key issues facing Welsh businesses today:

(i) Their use and challenges in implementing data analytics and (ii) their ESG considerations and concerns. In pursuit of this we will consult Welsh businesses on how they are adapting to these twin issues.

This role will manage administration of the associated survey, which will be conducted via face-to-face interviews with Welsh business leaders. For a subset of the businesses surveyed, an additional facilitated focus group will be conducted to discuss issues raised in the survey deeper. This role, with the assistance of the DAFI group members, will manage these focus groups.

The project will also involve assisting DAFI group members in the production of project reports describing and analysing the findings from the survey.

Responsible to the Project Co-leads and working closely with the DAFI research team, the role holder will be responsible for coordinating and leading the project activities, specifically the arrangement and conduction of the survey through face to face interviews.

This will involve working with academics and other key individuals across the University as well as implementing external engagement with businesses and other relevant organisations. The post holder will work with beneficiary organisations, stakeholders, funders, partners and suppliers to ensure the effective and successful delivery of the project.

Responsibilities for the role include:

• Contributing to the preparation and creation of the survey and interview questions.
• Initiating contact with Welsh Business Leaders to arrange face-to-face interviews.
• Travel to and from the Welsh businesses to conduct face-to-face interviews.
• Collation and analysis of responses from interviews.
• Contributing to the preparation of associated reports relevant to the project.
• Arranging and facilitating the focus groups involving Welsh business leaders. · Focus and prioritise activity to meet the delivery of the project and set targets.
• Engage with business development managers, or equivalents across the University both in central and academic departments and work collegiately to ensure the scheme is integrated into the University’s wider offer to business and assure the University achieves its targets and realises identified opportunities.
• Identify and mitigate risks in the project through risk management planning, including ensuring the project keeps to budget.
• Undertake research and market analysis, including client profiling and identifying high growth potential business opportunities and contacts.

• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions.
• The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.

Qualifications/Training

Essential

• Undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in business or a related field with a strong analytics component, or equivalent experience.

Desirable

• Knowledge of R and Python data analytics languages · Experience with projects relating to ESG · Project management qualification e.g. APMP, PRINCE2, etc. or equivalent experience

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

• Experience in Project Management: Prior experience in managing and coordinating academic or similar projects.
• Demonstrated experience in managing time-limited multidisciplinary projects, preferably in a Higher Education Environment and involving data analytics.
• Experience with Report Preparation: Background in preparing detailed project or research reports.
• Familiarity with Academic and Business Environments: Understanding of both academic research processes and business operations.
• Experience of identifying risks and planning, implementing and monitoring responses to those risks on a complex project.
• Experience of managing and influencing stakeholders at all levels.

Desirable

Data Analysis and Survey Experience:

• Experience in conducting surveys and interviews and analysing the data collected.
• Experience of working in HE Education environment and dealing with stakeholders in the education environment.

Skills/Abilities

Essential

• Willingness to travel to meet stakeholders at different locations within Wales.
• Excellent communication skills with clear evidence of effective presentation skills, report-writing skills, people management skills and the ability to converse authoritatively and persuasively with a range of stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent organisational skills, the ability to manage a variety of tasks simultaneously, and to organise and prioritise own work and that of others in order to meet project milestones.
• Analytical Skills: Strong capability to analyze and interpret data, understand complex information, and draw meaningful conclusions relevant to the project’s goals.
• Problem-Solving Ability: Aptitude for identifying challenges, analyzing potential solutions, and implementing effective strategies to overcome obstacles.
• Project Management Skills: Ability to plan, execute, and manage projects effectively, ensuring they are delivered on time and within scope and budget.

Desirable

• Leadership Skills: Ability to lead and motivate a team, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Networking and Relationship Building: Skills in establishing and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, enhancing project collaboration and outreach.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with data analytics tools (like R or Python) and project management software, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in project tasks.

Other

Desirable

· The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this role.

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.

We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.

We are a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful.

If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.