Project Manager
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
Job purpose
The School of Infection & Immunity is seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated, and well-organized project manager to oversee the operational delivery of GLOBE IT, an experimental medicine study exploring the molecular signatures of obesity and weight loss in psoriatic arthritis.
This is a multi-centre study with recruitment sites across Scotland and England. While the initial funding is for set-up and regulatory submission activities, it is intended that the successful candidate will lead the study throughout its entire project lifecycle (dependent on successful contract completion), managing all phases from start-up to close-out, ensuring its successful execution by overseeing contracts, regulatory submissions, vendor management, and financial planning. Additionally, they will maintain and strengthen relationships with the commercial partner, providing both strategic oversight and operational management of the project.
Reporting to Professor Stefan Siebert, the post holder will lead on project planning, risk assessment, and coordination of multidisciplinary teams. They will also support broader University partnership activities as required. Team members will include: amongst others, Clinical research fellows, Study nurses, Laboratory technicians, Bioinformaticians, Project Managers and Post-doctoral researchers.
This role requires a proactive, organised, and adaptable individual with strong project management, communication, and leadership skills. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in managing large-scale studies particularly those involving multiple stakeholders, budgets exceeding £1-2M, and regulatory challenges.
The position is initially funded for 6 months, with a likely extension, focusing on regulatory submissions and preparatory activities while contractual discussions are ongoing. Subject to successful completion for the contract, funding will be extended for a further two years, covering all aspects of study set up including site initiation, recruitment, vendor selection, and execution of the sample analysis plan.
Main duties & responsibilities
- Develop a comprehensive implementation plan to successfully deliver the GLOBE IT objectives by overseeing and managing daily operations, logistics, and administrative activities.
- Manage the ethics and information governance activities required for the project including preparation of documents for regulatory submission, management of internal review, submission to regulatory authorities, amendments, provision of annual reports to Research Ethics Committees.
- Responsible for the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), either by writing them directly or by overseeing their creation when the content falls under the responsibility of others in wider project team.
- Lead on the financial management of project budget, closely monitoring expenditures, and identifying any areas of potential under or overspend.
- Provide funder with updates scheduling regular meetings to ensure they have a clear understanding of the status and any emerging risks or issues for their project and management of financial reconciliation for all research funded activity.
- Lead the design, development, and validation of electronic Case Report Form (e-CRF) in collaboration with the clinical and wider project team.
- Oversee site feasibility assessments by evaluating potential study sites for their capability, resources, and patient population. Collaborate with the sponsor, investigators, site staff, and internal teams to streamline the activation process, ensuring all regulatory, contractual, and operational requirements are met for timely study site initiation.
- To function as the main point of contact for the study, and to work with the Chief Investigator, Sponsor and funder/commercial partner to ensure all queries are resolved and workstream activities are managed effectively.
- Management of national and international sample shipment logistics, including exchange of Material Transfer Agreements.
- Organize and, when necessary, chair meetings and committees. Coordinate conference calls, present project updates, take and distribute minutes, action points, and agendas, and follow up on action points with the relevant team members.
- Ensure that there are appropriate quality management processes in place to ensure that the final deliverables of projects comply with stakeholder requirements, appropriate legislation, University policies and procedures, and industry best practice.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to the role and grade as directed by the Chief Investigator.
- This job description is not exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as priorities and requirements evolve.
Knowledge and qualifications
Essential
- Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, Or: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles.
- Working knowledge of Principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and research governance framework legislation.
- A working knowledge of public sector policies and procedures, specifically understanding of the contractual, legal and financial matters in relation to research contracts, and collaborative agreements.
Desirable
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Project Management qualification and thorough understanding of project management methodologies.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent organisational and planning skills and the ability to prioritise work for multiple / simultaneous deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain details and interact effectively with others. Proficient in listening carefully and discussing complex topics with both experts and non-experts.
- Proven ability to liaise and cooperate with people across organisational boundaries.
- Skilled in influencing, negotiating, and persuading contributors across a large and complex organisation.
- Ability to monitor budgets and prepare forecasts/expenditure reports.
- Proven ability to build and manage relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including senior leaders.
- Resilient, adaptable and able to maintain steady progress even when faced with challenges.
- Ability to work on own initiative, establish priorities and to multi-task to deadlines.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt in an ever-changing environment.
- Ability to lead and motivate a team, ensuring that everyone works cohesively toward project goals.
- Advanced computer skills particularly Microsoft Office applications, Teams/Zoom, Microsoft Project (or similar).
- Ability to organise and clerk project team meetings and follow up on actions arising.
- Ability to develop and implement new SOPs and processes to enhance efficiency and ensure compliance.
- Practical application and understanding of data protection, GDPR and other statutory requirements and professional guidelines, including ICH GCP Guidelines
Desirable
- Flexibility to work across multiple time zones for global collaboration, to ensure seamless coordination of meetings across different regions.
Experience
Essential
- Significant project or programme management experience, demonstrating capability of co-ordinating complex large-scale research projects, that impact across multiple organisations and geographical locations.
- Experience of managing high-value budgets and providing financial reporting advice to budget holder.
- Previous line management/ team management experience, including experience influencing the activities of people not in direct line management
- Proven expertise in vendor selection, evaluation, and contract management
- A track record of successfully managing projects in your previous or current employment, with examples of work that you have initiated that have made a difference/had impact.
- A broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).
- Experience of development and ongoing management of electronic Case Report Forms (eCRF).
Desirable
- Experience of providing high quality advice and guidance on research management.
- Experience of financial management systems, such as Agresso.
- Experience of managing budgets exceeding £1-2M.
World-Changing Campus
We have delivered one of the most significant expansions of a UK university city campus for over a century.
Over the last decade, the University of Glasgow has invested in its estate to expand its world-class campus and facilities.
An area covering 14 acres of land next to our magnificent Gilmorehill campus has been redeveloped to build a mix of modern research, teaching and public spaces.
Our new buildings will mean the University remains a centre for world-changing research, as well as a vibrant community hub and centre for public engagement.
The development will transform our teaching, learning and research spaces. It will allow us to bring together the best minds of today and tomorrow within world-class interdisciplinary research spaces that offer flexibility and stimulate collaboration, and modern study spaces that will combine study and social learning space with technology enabled teaching.
- The Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC) is changing the way research is conducted at Glasgow. The ARC is the creative and collaborative heart of research at the University of Glasgow, bridging the boundaries between research, cross-subject collaboration and true societal impact . The ARC brings more than 500 world-leading researchers from a range of disciplines together in a building specifically designed to break down organisational structure and facilitate collaboration and interdisciplinary work.
- The James McCune Smith Learning Hub is an inspirational and diverse learning space. The flagship building was the first to be completed as part of our campus development, and provides a creative environment, combining flexible study and social learning space with multi-styled and technology-enabled teaching. It can accommodate more than 2,500 students, and includes a lecture theatre with capacity for 500 students. State-of-the-art teaching facilities, with flexible study spaces and interactive teaching for students, help to create a more immersive learning experience.
Find out more
Living in Glasgow
A UNESCO City of Music, a vibrant arts and culture scene, a food-lover’s delight, and a shopper’s paradise. Just some of the highlights of the ‘friendliest city in the world’. As well as that accolade by the Rough Guides poll, Glasgow has also been named a must visit destination by publications including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Wanderlust.
Music
The city hosts an average of 130 music events a week catering for every taste; from rock to rap, and classical to country. Glasgow also has a world class club scene playing host to some of the world’s top DJs.
Shopping
Outside of London’s West End, Glasgow is frequently voted the best place for shopping in the UK. A must-visit destination for any shop-a-holic, it houses high street chains, international designers, and independent retailers. The West End, home to the University of Glasgow, is bustling with vintage fashion, vinyl stores, and second-hand bookshops.
Arts and Culture
Glasgow’s arts scene has gone from strength to strength, and is the base for five internationally renowned performing arts companies including the National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Ballet. The city has several world-class museums, which are free to the public, and the city’s architecture is a work of art in itself.
Food and drink
You can be in Glasgow and taste the world with its many diverse restaurants, cafes, and bars. And if you’ve yet to sample the delights of haggis and whisky, Glasgow is the place to be.
The City and Beyond
Glasgow has all the opportunities and excitement of a big city but its compact size means you can quickly travel from one vibrant district to the next. You could be relaxing in one of its many parks, before shopping in the quirky West End, and then dancing until the wee small hours in the Merchant City.
And when you fancy getting out of the city you can reach the stunning Loch Lomond in just 30 minutes, climb one of our many breath-taking Munros, play golf at one of Scotland’s many world-class courses, visit one of our ancient castles, or go further North and search for Nessie! Scotland has also just been named the world’s most beautiful country by Rough Guides.
Relocating to Glasgow
Choosing to relocate to Glasgow is a big decision. There are numerous things to be considered, such as the costs of moving, the cost of living, and where exactly to relocate to. We have created two guides to aide you in the decision making process.
Find out more on relocating to Glasgow at the below link:
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
WORLD CHANGING GLASGOW 2025
Our outstanding disciplinary breadth and expertise has enabled us to make world-changing advances in fields as diverse as medicine, physics, linguistics, public policy and global development.
The key to our success is our talented staff and students pushing back at the boundaries of knowledge and understanding together.
Our World Changers Together strategy recognises the fundamental importance of a culture of open cooperation: not just as colleagues and mentors or students and teachers, but as a community of discovery that reaches beyond its walls and draws inspiration and strength from its connections and partnerships worldwide: excellence that's part of something bigger. The strategy is articulated across three themes:
COMMUNITY
- People centred, globally engaged
CONNECTIVITY
- Collaboratively minded, digitally enhanced
CHALLENGES
- Solution focused, impact oriented
Find out more
How to apply
Full details of the role and how to apply can be found by visiting our website:
The closing date for applications is 23:45 on Thursday 17th April 2025
Terms & Conditions
Salary will be Grade 8, £49,559 - £57,422 per annum.
This post is full time and Open ended with funding for up to 6 months from the start date in first instance.
The position is initially funded for 6 months, with a likely extension, focusing on regulatory submissions and preparatory activities while contractual discussions are ongoing. Subject to successful completion for the contract, funding will be extended for a further two years, covering all aspects of study set up including site initiation, recruitment, vendor selection, and execution of the sample analysis plan.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
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.
It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment. We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity.
Our values
The future holds innumerable challenges for our sector, our society, and our world. We will have to adapt and change what we do and what we offer if we are to navigate these successfully. Our strategy and approach may evolve as the landscape changes, but our values will remain constant: a fixed point of certainty in uncertain times.
We have identified our values in consultation and partnership with our staff and student community. Living and upholding these values will ensure that we remain true to the spirit of our community and ourselves:
Ambition and Excellence
- We strive for excellence through our work
- We defend academic freedom globally
- We recognise and celebrate shared success
- We have an unrelenting focus on development
Curiosity and Discovery
- We innovate and solve problems together
- We lead by influence and example
- We engage with lifelong learning and personal development
- We learn from our mistakes
Integrity and Truth
- We uphold honesty, integrity and fairness
- We share our work widely and generously
- We do the right thing, not the easy thing - or we don’t do it
- We take responsibility
An Inclusive Community
- We are one Glasgow team, and we care for and respect one another
- We advocate for diversity and believe in variety as a vital part of a healthy university
- We champion education as an engine for social progress
- We practise and advance sustainability