Strategic Projects Manager

About Us:
In 2021, our client launched an ambitious set of Goals to dramatically improve the lives of autistic people across the UK and beyond. To achieve these goals they identify problems, find solutions, then advise and influence key partners who can implement change. They work in an agile way to deliver evidence-based innovative insights to empower autistic individuals people to thrive.
To succeed and accelerate their opportunity to deliver impact, they need to expand their team. They are seeking a highly motivated Strategic Projects Manager with a track record of using agile methodologies to manage and successfully deliver high quality research-focused and technology- enabled projects. You’ll join their in-house science team to develop and deliver research and evidence to deliver their 2030 goals flagship projects. This role is pivotal in supporting the whole team to demonstrate impact and secure the partnerships, funding and government buy-in that is needed to achieve their mission.
This is an exciting time to join their dynamic, talented, and neurodiverse team.

About the Role:
We are seeking a Strategic Projects Manager with exceptional project management skills to drive the delivery of our 2030 strategic research projects. Our science team, in collaboration with academic and industry partners, is currently delivering a number of strategic research projects related to our 2030 Goals. As the Strategic Project Manager, you will work within the Science Team, supporting the Head of Research and focusing on agile delivery of our flagship projects to ensure sustainable achievement of our 2030 Goals.

Key Responsibilities:
We are looking for someone who is passionate about delivering innovative solutions to research, and who values working to high performance within a team, who thinks in diverse ways.

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You’ll use your skills in this role to:

• Provide day-to-day oversight of project timelines, deliverables, blockers, resources, and budgets across our portfolio of research and technical projects
• Communicate project information, providing regular updates to the Head of Research, Senior Management Team, Steering Groups, and internal fundraising, communications, and policy teams
• Support the Head of Research in ensuring data governance and compliance across all projects
• Create and maintain meticulous project documentation for governance
• Assist the Head of Research in embedding a robust project management framework within the organisation for sustainable growth and delivery of our 2030 Goals
• Coordinate with the finance team to ensure project invoices are processed promptly.

About You:
Desirable experience

• Eligible to work in the UK. Please note we cannot provide visa sponsorship.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in a similar project management role.
• Expertise in agile project management methodologies.
• Experience in managing scientific and applied research projects.
• Technical proficiency with project management software and other relevant technologies.
• Expertise in data management and governance.
• Experience of risk management and mitigation, showing an ability to anticipate potential risks and develop contingency plans.
• Experience managing multiple projects, particularly applied research, and delivery of technology solutions, such as AI and related technologies.
• Knowledge and experience of autism/neurodivergence and related research.
• Experience working with researchers, clinicians, health/care services, technology partners
• Experience in the charity sector, particularly research charities.
• Understanding and experience of scientific research methodologies and their application.

Skills

• Good negotiating skills to effectively work with key stakeholders, including team members, partners, and funders or other organisations, to ensure the smooth progress of projects.
• Ability to translate complex research concepts into understandable terms for non-scientific audiences.
• Able to create and follow long-term strategic plans, but also able to respond with agility, pace, and flexibility to emerging opportunities on a day-to-day basis.
• Adaptable and flexible approach, demonstrating an ability to adapt to changes and make necessary adjustments.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently to effectively manage competing priorities, demonstrating openness to different perspectives and communication styles.
• Ability to demonstrate strategic thinking to support the delivery of our 2030 goals, including setting long-term objectives, developing and managing plans to achieve them.
• Ability to problem solve, analysing potential challenges that arise during project delivery, both technical and non-technical, and working with key stakeholders to identify and implement solutions.
• Excellent written English and the ability to communicate complex information to various stakeholders.

Personal attributes

• Comfortable with nuance and uncertainty, with the motivation and resilience to tackle a fascinating but complex and contentious area of focus (autism and autism research).
• Understanding of and empathy for autistic and neurodivergent communities, to ensure that solutions are designed with their needs in mind.
• Ability to work on own initiative and in collaboration with various stakeholders.
• Ability to adapt to changing project requirements and priorities.
• Highly committed to the company mission, values, and activities.

Employment Information
Hours: 35 hour per week, Monday to Friday
Location: Hybrid with 1 - 2 days in our London office (Old Street) each week
Annual Leave: 28 days annual leave a year, exclusive of bank holidays.
Professional development: As well as occasional all-staff training, you will have a personal training budget of £300 per year.