Job Purpose

This role represents an exciting opportunity to provide high level and specialist project management and administrative service to the Changing Realities. Based in the School for Social and Political Sciences, Changing Realities is a major, busy participatory research project working with almost 200 parents and carers on a low-income from all four nations of the UK. The project also partners with national charity, Child Poverty Action Group, and includes impact and policymaking activities at the highest levels. The role is to support the PI (Ruth Patrick) in coordinating the project, and making sure that it is achieving key deliverables, and to time. The postholder will also be responsible for ensuring good and effective internal and external communication; and to supporting the project to regularly review and improve its practice.

The successful candidate will have significant experience in providing a full range of project management functions, including stakeholder management, higher-level administrative services and multi-site team coordination for higher education, government and/or Third Sector projects involving co-production and participatory approaches. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team are requirements for the job.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Take a lead role, in collaboration with the research team to plan, monitor and review the strategic aims, objectives and key milestones of the Changing Realities  project.

2.  Plan and coordinate a series of activities, meetings and workshops with diverse groups of participants from multiple policy sectors. Manage the logistics of the workshops, coordinating the facilitators and managing all data and materials that are required or generated during these events.

3.  Managing internal and external relationships relevant to the project.

4.  Engage in strategic business planning processes and the management of project work by providing specialist administrative support to the research team and supplying relevant information and statistical analysis as required.

5.  Establish and sustain project management processes and key project documents (e.g. report writing, risk logs) to ensure a record of contacts, events, outputs, and other project activities are kept up-to-date, accessible and accurate.

6.  Take a key role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues and external stakeholders, including at the highest of levels.

7.  Plan, promote and manage logistics for virtual and in-person meetings and events and other research and engagement activities run by the project, instigating and monitoring appropriate follow-up actions to ensure quality enhancement.

8.  Proactively identify opportunities to enhance the reach of the project, for example presenting work at local, national or international conferences, seminars, meetings, colloquia and workshops to contribute to knowledge exchange and develop and enhance the profile of the project.

9.  Lead on the development of a Communication Strategy, for example setting up and maintain the project’s web and social media presence producing briefings, blogs, podcasts, explainer videos and similar material,  and providing promotional content to other channels such as the University’s and Council’s Marketing teams, as required by the research team.

10.  Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by Line Manager or project director.

11.  Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 Either; Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4), or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s), Or: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary  knowledge and skills in a similar or number of different roles.

A2 Excellent knowledge of a range of project management tools and approaches that can be used to support higher education-led research projects.

A3 Knowledge and understanding of the UK policymaking context.

A4 Excellent knowledge and understanding of project and event planning and coordination.

Desirable

B1 Some familiarity with poverty and social security policy landscape.

B2 Formal programme management qualification, e.g. PRINCE2 (or working towards this).

Skills

Essential

C1 Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and ability to communicate effectively with diverse technical and lay audiences using a range of media.

C2 Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively communicate, work with and engage with researchers, policy makers, members of the public and community groups.

C3 Proven analytical, influencing and problem-solving capability.

C4 Advanced IT skills, including using online platforms to host events, workshops, or interactive sessions, report and presentation writing, and skills for web editing using a content management system.

C5 Proven skills with using social media to promote projects and engage stakeholders and the wider public.

C6 Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing environments.

C7 Ability to work across sectoral boundaries with a wide range of professions and disciplines representing academia, local authorities and other sectors relevant to the project.

Experience

Essential

E1 Experience of all aspects of research communication and events organisation.

E2 Experience of dealing with processes and procedures for partnership working and public engagement.

E3 Experience of  planning, co-ordinating, monitoring and recording of research activities and their impact.

Desirable

F1 Experience of social media communication strategies.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,497 - £45,413 per annum pro rata.

This post is part time (28 hours per week) and fixed term for up to 12 months in the first instance.

Please Note: If you are a current employee of the University of Glasgow, please be advised that the University would consider an internal secondment opportunity for this post. University of Glasgow applicants should seek clearance for release for internal secondment from their line manager before making a formal application.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing Date:  2 July 2025