Senior Research Manager: Construction Research & Good Practice – Infrastructure
CIRIA is a not-for-profit member organisation with a friendly and collaborative culture. CIRIA operates across a wide range of disciplines relating to the infrastructure and built environment sectors. We specialise in knowledge transfer activities including the publication of guidance, websites, webinars, events, training and awards. Our approach is collaborative, bringing together various stakeholders from Government, industry and academia. Our focus areas bridge science and evidence, policy and good practice. Our outputs are acknowledged as being authoritative and independent, many being applied internationally.
CIRIA has a Head Office in Barbican, London but we are moving to a more dispersed way of working as a consequence of Covid-19. This role can therefore be based anywhere in the country, with an expectation of some travel to London and other UK cities as required.
CIRIA is recognised for its outputs in support of the design, construction and management of infrastructure. This role would cover a range of topics including geotechnics, whole life asset management of infrastructure, materials and the achievement of sustainability goals. We would encourage the pursuit of new areas of business growth in terms of both expanding research in emergent sectors and extending our member base.
Your work will involve:
• Delivery of projects, including engaging with and management of Advisory Panels and Project Steering Groups, managing contracted specialists producing high quality, nationally regarded publications and other outputs.
• Stakeholder engagement, helping us to understand and respond to the challenges faced by the industry, its clients and suppliers, and their needs for guidance and capacity.
• Undertaking business development and fundraising activities to secure the resources to undertake projects. Most CIRIA projects are collaboratively funded by the industry and its clients.
• Promoting and managing dissemination and implementation of project outputs including events and training.
• Keeping abreast of emergent academic thinking and opportunities to deliver impact and embed research.
The work provides an excellent opportunity to gain an insight across the industry, build and grow a network with topic area experts and to make a real difference to industry performance both in the UK and further afield.
Selection Criteria
The candidate should be able to demonstrate:
Qualifications and Experience
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have an appropriate engineering based degree or higher qualification, ideally with at least 5-10 years relevant industry experience and chartered status
Project and time management
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Experience in managing projects across different stakeholder groups
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Strong time-management and planning skills
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Progress and budget monitoring
Collaboration
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Leading / facilitating groups or projects without direct line-management or contractual relationship
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Working in topic areas with a range of professionals from different disciplines relevant to the construction environment
Communication and engagement
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Good writing/review skills and experience of communicating with a range of audiences
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Engagement skills – The ability to create and maintain business relationships
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Presentation skills – the ability to convey messages professionally
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Business development skills – the ability to develop project proposals and secure project funding
Technical and analytical skills
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A sound understanding across a range of engineering disciplines.
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An awareness of the key drivers and challenges facing the industry
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The ability to draw out, summarise and communicate key points from documents and discussions
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The ability to research specific issues on-line and directly with individuals and groups.
We would be particularly interested in hearing from you if you have significant experience of delivering or brokering collaborative industry – academic projects or other innovation-focussed activities in the construction or related sectors.
Benefits Package
Salary – £45k to £55k depending on experience
26 days holiday and 3 additional days to cover Christmas week office closure
Competitive Pension Scheme 8% Employer Contribution (5% Employee)
Flexible working location including home-based
Flexible working arrangements around core hours
Private Health Insurance
Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK. Unfortunately we cannot sponsor visa applications.
Candidates available for immediate start are preferred
Candidates are invited to apply by 31 January 2021.
We may invite suitable candidates to an interview as applications are received and so may appoint before the closing date.
A copy of a job description is available from
[email protected]
If you are interested in this opportunity, please send a copy of your CV and short covering email outlining the skills, experience and attributes which you can bring to the role and CIRIA and email this to [email protected]
No applications via agencies please.